• New health and safety rules for artificial optical radiation
  From 27 April 2010, you may have to take extra precautions to protect workers from sources of very intense light

• Introduction of the right to additional paternity leave and pay
  From 6 April 2010, eligible employees gain the right to share their partner’s statutory maternity or adoption leave

• Duty to protect workers at sea from hazardous chemical agents
  From 6 April 2010, operators of certain vessels must assess risks to seafarers from hazardous chemical agents

• Duty to protect workers at sea from hazardous biological agents
  From 6 April 2010, operators of certain vessels must assess risks to seafarers from hazardous biological agents

• New licensing requirements for sexual entertainment venues
  From 6 April 2010, operators of lap-dancing clubs and similar venues may require a sex entertainment licence

• Duty to protect mariners from risks when working at height
  From 6 April 2010, you must ensure the safety of workers working at height on merchant ships, fishing vessels etc

• New restrictions on ingredients used in hair-dye products
  From 15 May 2010, certain substances will be restricted for use in hair-dye products

• Revised commercial names for fish species
  From 6 April 2010, fish businesses must label their products in accordance with an amended designation list

• Relaxation of restrictions on TV product placement
  From 16 April 2010, product placement will be permitted in most UK-made TV films and programmes

New information requirements for service-sector businesses
From 28 December 2009, businesses selling services in the UK and/or European Economic Area must give customers certain information.

New tolerance levels for certain substances in animal feed
From 23 November 2009, small amounts of coccidiostats and histomonostats will be allowed in non-target animal feed.

Option for owners of private hire vehicles to run a bus service
From 27 November 2009, owners of private hire vehicles will be able to operate as a local bus service.

New rules for businesses involved in the Scotch whisky industry
From 23 November 2009, new standards on the production, naming, labelling and marketing of Scotch whisky apply.

Revised requirements for food-packaging materials and substances
From 19 December 2009, new rules apply to active and intelligent materials and articles that are used to wrap food.

Official notification of a limited partnership’s formation
From 1 October 2009, there will be new arrangements relating to the registration and naming of limited partnerships

Increase in the national minimum wage rate
From 1 October 2009, the various rates of the national minimum wage will increase

Tips, service charges etc and the national minimum wage
From 1 October 2009, tips, service charges etc paid through the payroll will not count towards national minimum wage pay

Changes to rules relating to community interest companies
From 1 October 2009, the law in relation to community interest companies will be updated and clarified

Rise in weekly limit for calculating statutory redundancy pay
From 1 October 2009, the limit on a week’s pay for calculating a statutory redundancy payment will rise to £380

New limitations on ingredients used in cosmetic products
From 8 October 2009, certain substances will be restricted for use as ingredients in cosmetic products

If you’d like to know how any of the above affect your business, please contact us. We’re here to help you.

• Removing the requirement to register factory, shop and office premises with the health and safety authority
  From 6 April 2009, the premises registration and ‘general register’ requirements will no longer apply
• Increase in payment on account threshold for income tax self-assessment
  From 6 April 2009, the income tax liability threshold will rise to £1,000 for self-assessment payments on account
• Simplifying the VAT Flat Rate Scheme
  From 1 April 2009, only the turnover test will apply for eligibility to use the VAT Flat Rate Scheme

For further details please look  here

• Reminder: increasing the statutory minimum paid leave entitlement
  From 1 April 2009, the amount of statutory minimum paid annual leave will increase to a maximum of 28 days
• Strengthening enforcement of national minimum wage law
  From 6 April 2009, new controls, a new formula for arrears and increased penalties will enforce payment of the NMW
• Changes in handling grievances in the workplace
  From 6 April 2009, the statutory grievance procedures will be replaced by a more flexible regime
• Changes in handling disciplinary actions and dismissal
  From 6 April 2009, the statutory dismissal and disciplinary procedures will be replaced by a more flexible regime
• Increased enforcement powers of employment agency standards inspectors
  From 6 April 2009, new measures will apply to investigate non-compliance with employment agency standards
• Increased enforcement powers of employment agency standards inspectors
  From 6 April 2009, new measures will apply to investigate non-compliance with employment agency standards
• Extending the right to request flexible working patterns
  From 6 April 2009, employees with parental responsibility of a child aged 16 and under can request to work flexibly

• Reminder: enhanced information for consumers under consumer credit and hire agreements
  From 1 October 2008, businesses are required to give borrowers or hirers more information during the lifetime of a regulated consumer credit agreement or consumer hire agreement
• Reminder: new consumer credit licensing requirements
  From 1 October 2008, those offering debt administration or credit information services must hold the right licence
• An optional new route for private companies to reduce share capital
  From 1 October 2008, private limited companies can reduce their share capital by the new solvency statement route. This will not require court involvement.