Retail Snapshot Q1 – 2025
Thursday 16th January 2025
Welcome to our latest Retail Snapshot
A summary key legal and regulatory developments impacting affecting retail businesses in Q1 2025.
What’s happening in Q1:
- Packaging and waste obligations to change for producers
- Review of security of tenure provisions – Law Commission consultation
- Food Standards Agency (FSA) best practice on allergens for loose food
Packaging and waste obligations to change for producers
The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024 came into force on 1 January 2025, introducing new and more burdensome obligations on producers (including online marketplaces) and compliance schemes with respect to waste, recycling and labelling.
Review of security of tenure provisions – Law Commission consultation
The Law Commission published a consultation paper on 19 November 2024 to review the security of tenure provisions within the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, which automatically grants security of tenure with respect to business premises. The consultation is open until 19 February 2025.
Food Standards Agency (FSA) best practice on allergens for loose food
In late 2024, the FSA consulted with relevant stakeholders on best practice for food business operators providing non-prepacked food. The FSA is in the process of reviewing the responses received before publishing its best practice guidance in early in 2025.
Mandatory Food Waste Separation for Businesses
From 31 March 2025, most UK food businesses must arrange separate food waste collections.
Online Safety Act – Phase 1 rules implemented
The Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA) received Royal Assent in October 2023 and aims to protect people, particularly children, online. Duties under the OSA are being rolled out in phases until 2026.
If you would like to discuss any of these changes in more detail, please get in touch with one of our retail specialists.
