Regulation

Articles and news for UK SMEs on business regulations. Includes resources for guidance on compliance and regulatory support.

Running a Business

What is Extended Producer Responsibility?

Extended Producer Responsibility puts the responsibility for recycling packaging materials back onto the manufacturer or importer. It will come into effect this year and cost UK businesses an additional £1.4bn in compliance fees

News

Government delays introduction of UKCA product safety mark again

Unpopular scheme to replace EU’s CE product safety mark now due to start in 2025

Taking payments as a small business

Strong Customer Authentication is complicating online payments

New EU SCA legislation that risked knocking €150 billion off the EU internet economy on its proposed introduction in September has been given a 'phasing in' extension of 18 months.

News

Small businesses in devolved regions hit harder by government policy

New research reveals that government policy is more costly for SMEs in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland than it is in London.

Legal advice

Is regulation a friend or foe?

Here, Bruce Penson, managing director at Pro Drive IT, explores how big data and GDPR presents both challenges and opportunities.

Legal advice

What small businesses must know about GDPR and MiFID II

In just over a year a heady cocktail of European legislation will come into force: MiFID II and GDPR. Here, James Foley explores what small businesses need to know.

News

UK workplaces undermined by too many rules, study finds

Employers can unleash the productivity of their workers by allowing them more scope to use their initiative, create more stimulating work and reduce the burden of unnecessary rules and procedures, according to research.

News

Cost of compliance hits small businesses hard

Small businesses in 2014 has seen an above-inflationary rise of £713 in their annual compliance bill, a study finds.

Finding and selling to customers

How new EU distance selling regulations affect small businesses

Rik Hellewell discusses how changes to EU distance selling regulations could be problematic for small enterprises.

News

SMEs burdened by increase in compliance costs over past two years

The average small business today pays substantially more on compliance costs than in 2011, finds research.

News

SME regulatory reform demanded

The independent body set up to scrutinise new government regulations needs sharper teeth to defend small businesses, the FSB has warned.

News

Regulations ‘harming British companies’

There is little communication between European Union (EU) and UK regulatory systems for businesses, with the volume of new legislation reducing the competitiveness of firms, says the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).