Our contents this week:
Retail, Food & Hospitality updates
View sought on tackling live event ticket resale issues: The Departments for Business and Trade and Culture, Media and Sport have issued a consultation on proposals to address issues surrounding the resale of tickets for live events and a call for evidence on pricing practices in the ticket resale market. The consultation on the resale of live events tickets explores ways to improve the overall ticket resale market, including measures to tackle excessive prices, support better enforcement of consumer protection laws, improve platform accountability and increase transparency for fans. The call for evidence focuses on understanding how the live events sector operates in distributing tickets and whether consumers are being impaired by a lack of transparency particularly as it relates to pricing practices like algorithmic dynamic pricing. Responses to both documents requested by 4th April. Consultation > Calls for evidence > News >
Plans for Edinburgh visitor levy continue to evolve at pace: UK Hospitality has highlighted changes proposed to the draft Edinburgh City Council scheme following consultation which the Council is to consider on 17th and 24th January. Among changes proposed is a 2% collection fee, limitation to the first five nights of a stay and a commencement date of 1st May 2025 for stays booked on or after 24th July 2026. The proposed levy rate remains at 5%. View >
Competition and Markets Authority sets out its plans to enforce competition in digital markets: The CMA has published detailed guidance on its initial approach to its competition responsibilities under the Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act 2024 from 1st January. In the first six months it intends to launch three ‘Strategic market status investigations’ but has yet to announce what these will cover. Under the digital markets competition regime, the CMA may designate firms with “Strategic Market Status” (SMS) in relation to a particular digital activity. Once designated, the CMA can impose conduct requirements or introduce pro-competition interventions. News > Guidance >
Ministry of Justice commissions independent review of the criminal courts: The Ministry of Justice has announced appointment of former President of the Queen's Bench Division, Sir Brian Leveson, to carry out an independent review into the criminal courts. The review will look to make recommendations on improving the efficiency and timeliness of processes (including those of partner agencies) in cases through charge to conviction/acquittal. Included in the terms of reference are Longer term recommendations including the reclassification of offences from triable-either-way to summary only, consideration of magistrates’ sentencing powers, the introduction of an Intermediate Court and any other structural changes to the courts or changes to mode of trial that will ensure the most proportionate use of resource. View >
EU updates
EU Commission: Highlight coming into force of new Construction Products Regulation: EU DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship, and SME’s has issued a press release on the Construction Products Regulation in force from 1st January. The Regulation introduces Digital Product Passports to provide all information on construction products, including the declaration of performance and conformity, safety information and instructions for use. This is also intended to enable calculation of an entire building’s carbon footprint. View >
UK Cabinet Office & N.I. Executive to commission independent review of Windsor Framework: View >
European Food safety Authority opinions:
- Publish assessment of dietary exposure to food enzyme thrombin.
View >
Developments to watch
DEFRA: Publish update on ongoing Avian flu
Outbreak. View >
Environment Agency: Consult on updated enforcement and sanctions policy and use of civil sanctions – Responses required by 5th March. View >
DEFRA: Secretary of State Steve Reed addresses Oxford Farming Conference on Government support plans for farmers. View >View > Sustain >
For your information
Non-food product safety alerts: Office for Product Safety and Standards > EU Safety Gate > US Consumer Product Safety Commission >
Office for Product Safety and Standards: Publish guidance for regulators on the revised EU General Product Safety Regulation and an updated list of designated low voltage standards. View > View >
Portman Group: Publish details of a YouGov survey on consumption of alcohol free and low alcohol products. View >
