You can also view our Consumer Trends hub 2024!
Our contents this week:
Retail, Food & Hospitality updates
Child protection codes and guidance finalised under Online Safety Act 2023: OFCOM has finalised child protection codes of practice and guidance, which have been laid before parliament by the Department for Science, Innovation and technology under the Online Safety Act 2023. The child protection codes require providers of services likely to be accessed by UK children to finalise and record their assessment of the risk their service poses to children by 24th July and to implement safety measures to mitigate those risks. From 25 July 2025, they should apply the safety measures set out in the OFCOM Codes to mitigate those risks. Section 49 of the OSA provides that a provider which takes the steps in codes of practice recommended for compliance with a particular duty is treated as complying with that duty. Section 50 provides that, although a failure to act in accordance with the codes of practice is not of itself a ground for bringing legal action against a provider, a court of tribunal must take into account a provision of the codes of practice where it is relevant to a question in proceedings and was in force at the relevant time. If companies fail to comply with their new duties, Ofcom has the power to impose fines and – in very serious cases – apply for a court order to prevent the site or app from being available in the UK. Ofcom press release >Ofcom letter >Government notice >
Tougher measures announced to protect children from online knife content: The Home Office has announced that a maximum £60k civil penalty is to be available in addition to a £10k penalty for Directors of online content providers in respect of failure to follow a 48 hour police harmful knife crime content removal notice. The new rules are to be introduced by amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill. As previously announced, the Home Office will introduce a new policing unit, with £1.75 million funding, to be run by the National Police Chiefs’ council, to tackle the sale of knives online. The unit will be responsible for issuing Content Removal Notices. News >Consultation >
HM Treasury pledge to address issues around tariffs and dumping: In addition to promising better monitoring and swifter action to implement antidumping measures when needed in a move welcomed by UK based retailers the Chancellor has announced her intention to review the customs treatment of Low Value Imports, which allows goods valued at £135 or less to be imported without paying customs duty. News >British Retail Consortium >
Financial Conduct Authority to simplify rules around capital holding requirements: The FCA is proposing streamlining the rules on the types of funds investment firms must hold to absorb losses and maintain financial resilience during periods of stress. These changes would reduce the volume of legal text by 70%. The measures do not propose a change to the level of capital firms are required to hold, and the FCA does not expect firms to change their capital arrangements as a result. View >
EU updates
UK Government to include EU craft products Regulation under Windsor framework: The Cabinet Office has published a detailed explanatory memorandum on a Government decision to implement an EU Regulation on the protection of geographical indications for craft and industrial products in Northern Ireland.View >
EU Regulations:
- On feed additives: L-Tyrosine >L-Valine >Sepiolite >
- Extending the authorisation period of plant protection products: 1,4-dimethlnapthaline, amidosulfuron, bentazone, bixafen, clomazone, fenoxaprop-p, fludioxinil, fluoxastrobin, flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, gibberellic acid, gibberellins, haluaxifen-methyl, mecoprop-P, paraffin oil, pentiopyrad, pirimiphos-methyl, propamocarb, propyzamide, prothiocozanole, rimsulfuron, sedaxane, sulfoxaflorEU >
European Food Safety Authority opinions:
- On feed additives: betaine anhydrous, betaine hydochloridecopper bilysinatel-lysine sulfate >xylanase, B-glucanase >
- Peer review of pesticide risk assessment: buprofezin >
- Reevaluation of food additive: View >
Developments to watch
DEFRA: Publish update on Avian flu epidemic – 25 April. View >
Department of Health and Social Care: Launch a call for evidence on men’s health – Responses required by 17 July. View >
Advertising Standard Authority: Uphold complaint re ‘Holiday Gems’ exceedance of holiday price where word ‘from’ omitted from advert. View >
Federation of Small Businesses: Publish a report on the burden of tax red tape. 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: Publish article on approach to Regulation and growth. View >
Appointment: Samantha Jones, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social care. View >
Home Office: publish details of grant allocations to Trading Standards for offensive weapons, corrosive substances enforcement. View >
UK Health Security Agency: Publish guidance for medical practitioners on Listeriosis. View >
US Food and Drink Administration: Announces plan to phase out petroleum-based food dyes. View >
