Our contents this week:
Retail, Food & Hospitality updates
Trading Standards highlight scale of unsafe imports: The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has reported statistics from Suffolk Trading standards covering the port of Felixstowe with a headline claim that 90% of imports are unsafe failing to meet UK safety requirements.Since January, 349,000 consumer goods checked were refused entry into the UK because they were unsafe or non-compliant. Some examples of products stopped, include:
- 74,565 toys
- 104,983 electrical goods
- 62,815 lighting, a significant proportion of which were fairy or Christmas lights, including outdoor lighting
- 38,248 cosmetics
- 8.965 e-scooters
- 30,898 chargers and adaptors
- 2,900 unsafe telescopic ladders
Government moves to clarify copyright issues in use of AI: The Department for Science innovation and Technology has launched a consultation on proposals tobring legal certainty to creative and AI sectors over how copyright protected materials are used in model training. The proposals aim to give creators greater control over how their material is used by AI developers and enhance their ability to be paid for its use. The proposals will also seek greater transparency from AI firms over the data used to train AI models alongside how AI-generated content is labelled. The consultation also addresses other emerging issues, including copyright protection for computer-generated works, and the issue of digital replicas. Responses are required by 25th February 2025. View > View >
OFCOM set out requirements and deadline for prevention of online harms: The Office for Communications has issued its first major policy statement and resource materials on implementation of the Online Safety Act. Providers now have a duty to assess the risk of illegal harms on their services, with a deadline of 16 March 2025. Subject to the Codes completing the Parliamentary process, from 17 March 2025, providers will need to take the safety measures set out in the Codes or use other effective measures to protect users from illegal content and activity.View >
Advertising watchdog rules against Heineken zero advertisement: The Advertising Standards Authority has ruled against a Heineken ‘When you drive never drink’ advertisement featuring Max Verstappen holding a bottle of Heineken zero on the basis that it did not clearly state ‘ABV 0%’.View >
EU updates
EU Commission highlights ban on use of Bisphenol A in food contact materials: The ban means that BPA will not be allowed in products that come into contact with food or drink, such as the coating on metal cans, reusable plastic drink bottles, water distribution coolers and other kitchenware. The ban follows a positive vote by EU Member States earlier this year, public consultation and a scrutiny period by the Council and the European Parliament. EFSA concluded that BPA had potentially harmful effects on the immune system. The intention is to provide an eighteen-month transitional period. View >
EU Regulations:
- Authorising feed additives: Bacillus velezensis >cyanobalamin (Vitamin B12) >ferric tyrosine chelate >zinc-L-selenomethionine >
- Setting up a food category for residue limits: radish leaves >
European Food safety Authority opinions:
- Maximum residue limits:triclopyr >
- Risk assessments:food additives including dietary exposure >food contact materials >wild plants and flowers >macroalgae >
- Novel food:house crickets >
- Approval of feed additive: Sage oil >
- Import tolerances: azoxystrobin >
- Food contact material: 2,2’oxydiethylamine >
- Safety assessment re celiac disease: polyphenol-rich wheat varieties >
Developments to watch
DEFRA: Publish update on ongoing Avian flu outbreak.View >
Food Standards Scotland: Highlight laying of regulations for the fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid by the end of 2026. View >
Scottish Government: Consult on the licensing of non-surgical medical procedures. Responses required by 14th February. View >
US Food and Drugs Administration: Set criteria for use of the term ‘Healthy’ in labelling of food. View > View >
Home Office: Take steps to strengthen the Migration Advisory Council. View >
Department for Business and Trade: Set out details and membership of new Industrial Strategy Advisory Council. View >
Financial Conduct Authority: Consult on use of regulatory sand box to test open market for dealing in private company shares. Responses required by 17th February. View >
For your information
Non-food product safety alerts: Office for Product Safety and Standards >EU Safety Gate >US Consumer Product Safety Commission >
Gambling Commission: Announce the appointment of Charles Counsell as interim chair. View >
US Consumer Product Safety Commission: Pass final rule on requiring ‘e’ certificates of compliance for imported non-food consumer products.View >
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Close the Office for Local Government. View >
DEFRA: Publish report on persistent organic pollutants 2019-21. View > View >
