Home > What’s on the retail horizon?

What’s on the retail horizon?

There are a number of significant legal and regulatory changes on the horizon in 2024 which will shape the retail landscape.

Our Retail Horizon Scanner is designed to help retail businesses in the UK stay up to date by giving an overview of the legal developments in the sector.

Check out our LinkedIn page where we provide more detailed updates throughout the year.

Please contact one of our retail experts to talk about what these changes mean for you and your business.

In the future

Price Marking Order amendments

The Price Marking Order 2004 has been amended and the changes will…
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In the future

1 October 2027

End of Martyn’s Law implementation period

It is expected that by April 2027, premises will be fully aware…
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January

Pre-packed food labelling requirements

From 1 January 2024, pre-packed food products sold in GB must include…
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January

The Employment Rights (Amendment, Revocation and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2023

From 1 January 2024, amongst other changes, the first four weeks of…
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In the future

1 October 2025

Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme (EPR)

Packaging data is due to be submitted by large producers on 1…
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January

The Platform Operators (Due Diligence and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2023

In-scope UK digital platforms must collect and report to HMRC annually information…
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January

Code of Practice on preventing illegal working: Right to Work scheme for employers in force

Increases to illegal working fines took effect in January. To assist employers…
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March

Online Safety Act 2023 – start of guidance roadmap

This Act appoints Ofcom as the UK’s online safety regulator to govern…
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March

The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024

The UK Government published draft regulations (The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England)…
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April

Paternity leave changes

Employees whose babies were born (or in the case of adoption, placed)…
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April

Importing plants and plant products

From 30 April 2024: Checks of high risk plants and plant products…
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April

New statutory right to Carer’s leave

The new regulations allow employees to take one week’s unpaid leave in…
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April

Minimum wage increase

The Government announced its acceptance of the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations on…
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April

New rules for ‘irregular hours’ and ‘part year’ workers

“Rolled-up” holiday pay is permitted for part-year and irregular hours workers only…
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April

Changes to statutory right to request flexible working

From 6 April it is a ‘day 1 right’ for employees to…
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April

Building Safety Act 2022 transitional periods end on 6 April

The Building Safety Act 2022 transitional periods end on 6 April 2024,…
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April

Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022

The relevant parts of this Act comes into effect from 29 April…
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March 17

Regulatory Reform Policy Paper

HM Treasury published a policy paper setting out the approach to change…
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March 31

Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2024 apply

Businesses with over 10 full-time employees must comply and present their waste…
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April

Maternity Leave redundancy protection extension

From 6 April additional protection for employees who are pregnant/on maternity leave…
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April 3

Martyn’s Law receives Royal Assent

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 3…
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April 3

HSE & EA Prosecution: £2.5million fine for chemical company after large scale loss of containment

A chemical company has been fined £2.5 million after entering a guilty…
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May

DEFRA’s Consultation on food labelling

DEFRA’s consultation on fairer food labelling closes on 7 May. DEFRA are…
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May

Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) Enforcement Agenda

OPSS’ recent consultation on updating its Enforcement Policy indicated a clear policy…
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April 16

HSE Prosecution: £6million fine given to Council after three fatal incidents

A local council has been fined £6million for safety failures relating to…
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May

Financial Conduct Authority Sustainability Disclosure Requirement

From 31 May 2024, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated firms must ensure…
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May

Review of GDPR

The European Commission will undertake its first major review on 25 May…
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April 23

HSE Prosecution: Company owner and director sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for Gross Negligence Manslaughter

The owner and director of a paddleboard company has been sentenced to…
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May 15

HSE Prosecution: £3.2million fine for breach of Work at Height Regulations 2005

British Airways has been fined £3.2million after two employees suffered injuries after…
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June

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) has now officially been…
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May 28

Expected amendments to sentencing of very large organisations (VLOs) in health, safety and environment prosecutions

Sentencing Council published the response to a public consultation and its proposed…
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June 27

HSE prosecutes chemical manufacturer for failing to manage risk of hand arm vibration

A chemical manufacturer was convicted of Regulations 5(1), 6(1), 7(1) and 8(1)…
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July 2

HSE publishes work-related fatality statistics

The HSE has published its annual fatality statistics for 2024/25. There…
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July 2

Company receives record fine of £759,000 after conviction by Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

A distribution company was convicted of overloading and defective vehicle offences and…
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July 4

Fire safety regulations imposing additional requirements on specified residential building to come into force on 6 April 2026

Find out more in our latest article… Fire safety regulations reform: enhanced…
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July 9

The School (Allergy Safety) Bill introduced to Parliament

The proposed legislation would introduce additional safeguards and practical steps for schools…
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July 16

Supermarket fined £640,000 for selling out of date food

Trading Standards prosecuted Asda after a total of 42 food items were…
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July

Statutory Code of Practice on “fire and rehire”

The Code seeks to ensure that ‘fire and rehire’ is only used…
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July 21

Report calls for reforms in water sector

A report by Sir Jon Cunliffe has published its final recommendations to…
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July 21

Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 receives Royal Assent

The Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 will give the Secretary of…
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July

Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 Reforms

The amendment to TUPE enables small employers (fewer than 50 employees) and…
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July 22

New WEEE requirements for online marketplaces

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Amendment, etc.) Regulations 2025 enter into…
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July

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) continue to focus on environmental claims in advertising

The ASA last year undertook consumer research on green claims in food…
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July 22

OPSS publish Code of Conduct for product safety policy makers

Following Royal Assent to the Product Safety and Metrology Act, the Office…
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July

Extension of the Consumer Duty

The new Consumer Duty, that came into force on 31 July 2023,…
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July 28

Breach of environmental permit leads to fine of £892,500

The Environment Agency prosecuted East Midlands Airport for breaching their environmental permit…
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September

Construction Products Changes

June 2025 deadline revoked for CE Marking for construction products. The 30…
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July 29

HSE set out future plans and key focus areas at AGM

HSE held their AGM on 29 July 2025 which was streamed for…
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September

Continued recognition for CE marking

Legislation was passed in May 2024 to continue CE recognition for 21…
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July 30

Water company fined for pollution to watercourse

The Environment Agency has prosecuted a water company after one of its…
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