Posted: Wednesday, 7 January 2009 @ 19:20
If the last 5 years are anything to go by, businesses will continue to face pressure from new rules and regulations, especially around employment policies and practice. Let's just hope that some sense prevails, given the current challenges faced by all firms.
In the meantime, this extract from our December ezine details some of the known legal changes coming into effect in 2009.
- The Health and Safety Offences Act comes into force in January 2009. The Act will increase penalties for businesses and organisations that do not comply with Health and Safety law from £5,000 to £20,000, and could lead to managers and business owners facing prison sentences for failing to comply with the Act.
- New air conditioning regulations come into effect in January 2009, which will mean air conditioning units have to be inspected by an energy assessor. Read more in our blog here.
- The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has announced a consultation on plans to create a set of consumer regulations which will work across Europe. The consultation is in response to the proposal on the new EU Consumer Rights Directive, which aims to harmonise consumer legislation across Europe, including protection against unfair contract terms and faulty goods. The consultation runs until 2nd February.
- A report, to be published in the Spring of 2009 will look at copyright laws and regulations surrounding digital media and communications in an attempt to encourage greater use of digital media and IT.
- The Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) is considering delaying proposed new legislation previously announced in the light of the current economic downturn. These include proposals to extend flexible working rights to parents with children under the age of 16.
- House builders might usefully spend some time in 2009 getting ready for the new code of conduct to be introduced in March 2010.
The Cousins Business Law ezine is published monthly. It's free to subscribe and you can do so here.
Gary Cousins, Business Lawyer
For free advice on this topic please call us on 0845 003 5639.
Blog by Gary Pascual
Gary has been providing legal advice to shareholders, directors and business owners for over 25 years. Specialising in dispute resolution Gary is based in Birmingham with clients throughout the UK and overseas.
View profile
This blog is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor is it intended to be a complete and authoritative statement of the law, and what we say might be out of date by the time you read it. You should always seek legal advice to confirm whether or how any information in this article applies to your particular situation. We offer a
free telephone consultation to discuss your particular circumstances.