Our contents this week:
Retail, Food & Hospitality updates
Guidance published on use of UKCA and CE marking: The Department for Business and Trade has published guidance on the standards and requirements that must be met for use of the UKCA and continuing use of CE marks for marketing non-food products within Great Britain.Current approaches to product marking >Placing products on the GB market: recognition of EU requirements >Using harmonised standards for placing CE marked products on the GB market >Policy paper >
Major reorganisation of Local Government in England in prospect: The Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, has issued a statutory invitation to all councils in two tier areas and small neighbouring unitary authorities to develop unitary proposals - which will bring together lower and upper tier local government services in new unitary councils. The Councils are invited to submit interim plans by 21st March and full plans by 28th November. Elections in areas affected have been postponed until May 2026.Government correspondence > Local government >
Advertising watchdog rulings:
- The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint about Banquist, trading as Winedrops in respect of price claims with a “Price You’re Used To” against an “Our Price” and use of a ‘trust pilot type rating claim. The company used a price comparison website as the basis of the “Price You’re Used to” claims but it did not include any of the supermarkets or larger wine retailers so the ASA held that Winedrops had not shown that the “Price You’re Used to” prices quoted were those at which the products were generally sold. View >
- The Portman Group has upheld a complaint re promotional signage of Jinro Soju’s ‘Easy to drink – drink to link’ displayed at a summer festival. The Portman group complaints panel ruled that ‘Drink To Link’, had sexual connotations and could also suggest that consumption of the drink could lead to social success or popularity. View >
Data published on alcohol specific deaths: The Office for National Statistics has published data for 2023 on deaths caused by diseases known to be a direct consequence of alcohol, by age, sex, and region. Headline findings were a death rate of 15.9 per 100,000 with an incidence twice as high for men compared to women and a strong link to deprived areas.National statistics > Drink aware >
EU updates
UK Minister for EU relations sets out approach to delivering UK-EU re-set: The Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Cabinet Office, Minister for European Union Relations has authored and article and delivered a speech to the EU on the need for and UK approach to achieving a reset in UK-EU relations. The Minister highlighted that between 2021 and 2023, exports to the EU were down 27 per cent and imported goods down 32 per cent and the need to reduce trade barriers. News > Speech >
UK applies full SPS controls to EU food and feed imports through Northern Ireland: From 24 February 2025, EU foods passing through Northern Ireland to enter Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) will be subject to full sanitary and phytosanitary controls. Completion of a pre-notification on the import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) and relevant sanitary or phytosanitary certification will be required. View >
EU Regulations:
- Authorising feed additives: endo-1,4-beta-xylanase and alpha-amylase >L-tryptophan > nonanoic acid >
- Authorising biocidal ingredient: Neporex 2SG >
- Setting maximum reside limits for plant protection products: fenbuconazole and penconazole >
Developments to watch
DEFRA and Scottish Government: Publish update on ongoing Avian flu Outbreak. View > Scottish Government >
Gambling Commission: Announce new licence condition on pre-setting of financial limits. View >
Financial Conduct Authority: Highlight action taken against 20,000 misleading advertisements in 2024. View >
Scottish visitor levy: The Federation of Small Businesses has highlighted that 21 of 32 Scottish Local Authorities are considering introducing levies on overnight visitor stays. View >
For your information
Non-food product safety alerts: Office for Product Safety and Standards >EU Safety Gate >US Consumer Product Safety Commission >
Payment Systems Regulator: Set out cost benefit approach to new regulation. View >
Scottish Government: Publish guide to integrated pest management. View >
Chartered Trading Standards Institute: Welcome Which call for greater resources for Trading Standards. View >
Environment Agency: Publish guidance on shredding of waste domestic upholstered furniture. View >
