Today we published an update on Defra’s PFAS Plan: “UK Government Releases PFAS Plan Teased in December 2025“. This plan features among the commitments made in the Environmental Improvement Plan made public at the end of last year. It is generally recognised that the UK needs a plan for PFAS management, but in the hours … Continue Reading
The UK DMO (the body responsible for the design and delivery of the DRS across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) has announced: What we don’t have yet is any (public facing) formal guidance on how and when to apply the logo, placement and sizing, etc. However, Exchange for Change says that “in the coming weeks” … Continue Reading
It has been a busy start to the new year for water law and policy with various developments published in the last couple of weeks. Following the release in December 2025 of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), which lists a number of commitments on water, Defra published a long awaited Water White Paper this week … Continue Reading
The highly anticipated ASA guidance on the advertising of less healthy food and drink products (Guidance) was published on 5 December 2025. This follows the ASA’s autumn 2025 consultation on the implementation of the less healthy food and drink advertising restrictions, and in particular how this would affect brand advertising. Legal Context for the Guidance … Continue Reading
The UK modern slavery regime has faced scrutiny in recent years for failing to keep up with requirements in other jurisdictions. A recent UK government publication offers a timely and illustrative example of how UK modern slavery laws are being reviewed. The document outlines the Government’s response to various recommendations made by the Joint Committee … Continue Reading
As we reported in the last edition of newsBITE, the Advertising (Less Healthy Food and Drink) (Brand Advertising Exemption) Regulations 2025 (Brand Advertising Exemption Regulations) were published in September 2025. The Brand Advertising Exemption Regulations came into force on 31 October 2025. They provide that “brand” advertising that does not identify a specific, less healthy … Continue Reading
The most anticipated developments for 2024 in UK chemicals regulation are the long-awaited publication of the UK’s Chemicals Strategy, and a consultation on the UK government’s alternative transitional registration model (ATRm). In November 2023, a policy paper was issued outlining the government’s high-level plans for ATRm, but the questions and details for stakeholders are still … Continue Reading
From October 2023, a broad range of products moving from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI) (and that are intended for “final consumption” in NI) will be processed through a “green lane” and be subject to fewer checks and controls. While this will ultimately facilitate movements of various products, there are implications for businesses … Continue Reading
With a planned launch date of 16 August 2023, the pressure is on for the Scottish government to deliver the deposit return scheme (“DRS”) for drinks containers. Despite increased scrutiny of industry readiness, Circularity Scotland (“CSL”) reaffirmed on 2 March that the scheme is on track and that producers responsible for more than 95% of … Continue Reading
The number of pollution incidents allegedly perpetrated by water companies in the UK has risen sharply in the last few years. On 3 October 2022, the UK Government shared proposals to raise the maximum cap on civil penalties for pollution incidents to unprecedented levels – from £250,000 up to £250 million per violation. If retained … Continue Reading
