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Published on 01 Apr 2025. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead and Ciara Cullen, Partner and Harpreet Kaur, Associate

The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) (EPR) Regulations 2024 (EPR Regulations) came into force on 1 January 2025. They will affect most businesses that supply packaging in the UK, particularly brand owners of branded packaged products, and those who import branded products into the UK from overseas.

Thinking - Publication

What if the CEO asks me about… the EU's Omnibus Directive?

Published on 19 Mar 2025. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead and Rosamund Akayan, Knowledge Lawyer and Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies and Thomas Jenkins, Senior Associate and Kelly Thomson, Partner, ESG Strategy Lead

On 26 February 2025, the EU Commission published its proposed Omnibus Directive, aiming to simplify EU rules, boost competitiveness and reduce the perceived regulatory burden on businesses, particularly SMEs. Here, we break down the key takeaways for busy in-house teams and discuss what we can expect next from the EU Parliament and Council.

Thinking - Podcast

The Work Couch: What to expect at an employment tribunal: appearing as a witness, with Kim Wright and Joseph England

Published on 19 Mar 2025.

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.

Thinking - Blog

Employment Rights Bill: 10 key amendments explained

Published on 13 Mar 2025. By Patrick Brodie, Partner, Head of Employment, Engagement and Equality and Kelly Thomson, Partner, ESG Strategy Lead and Ellie Gelder, Senior Editor Employment & Equality

On 5 March 2025, the government published a 200 page amendment paper containing a wide range of amendments to the draft Employment Rights Bill (the Bill). A number of the amendments follow the government's response to various consultations on some of the most significant proposed reforms. We highlight 10 of the key amendments and what they mean for employers.

Thinking - Blog

6 April 2025 - date confirmed for UK consumer protection law regime overhaul

Published on 12 Mar 2025. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and Hettie Homewood , Senior Associate

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) is set to substantially overhaul the UK's consumer protection law and enforcement regime. We now know the date that key consumer protection and enforcement changes will come into force: 6 April 2025.

Thinking - Podcast

The Work Couch: Data protection and HR-related challenges (Part 2), with Jon Bartley and Helen Yost

Published on 05 Mar 2025.

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.

Thinking - Blog

Six steps to AI Literacy (whether legally required to or not)

Published on 27 Feb 2025. By Paul Joukador, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer

At the beginning of February 2025, the AI literacy requirement under the EU AI Act came into force. The effect of this is that certain businesses must take measures to ensure a sufficient level of AI literacy in their staff.

Thinking - Podcast

The Work Couch: Preventing sexual harassment - is your business compliant?

Published on 19 Feb 2025.

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.

Thinking - Podcast

The Work Couch: Data protection and HR-related challenges (Part 1), with Jon Bartley and Helen Yost

Published on 05 Feb 2025.

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.

Thinking - Blog

What impact will the Employment Rights Bill have on the hospitality sector?

Published on 03 Feb 2025. By Patrick Brodie, Partner, Head of Employment, Engagement and Equality and Kelly Thomson, Partner, ESG Strategy Lead and Ellie Gelder, Senior Editor Employment & Equality

The Employment Rights Bill (the Bill) - championed as "the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation" - introduces 28 individual employment law reforms. The key changes of relevance to the hospitality sector include the implementation of "day one" rights, including unfair dismissal protection, and the end of zero-hour contracts.

Thinking - Podcast

The Work Couch: What's on the horizon for employment law in 2025?

Published on 22 Jan 2025.

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.

Thinking - Snapshot

CMA investigates Ticketmaster for dynamic pricing of Oasis tickets

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

Can dynamic pricing breach consumer protection rules?

Thinking - Snapshot

European consumer body challenges in-game premium currencies

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech and Gowri Chandrashekar, Senior Associate

When does the use of in-app and in-game premium currencies pose consumer regulatory issues? Does this consumer complaint herald a tightening by the EU on revenue streams for game and app developers and platforms?

Thinking - Snapshot

CMA publishes guidance for fashion retailers on environmental claims

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

How best can fashion retailers protect themselves from regulatory action when making green claims?

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CJEU rules on pricing display strategies of Aldi Süd

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

Thinking - Snapshot

UK pricing practices in the spotlight

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What should businesses take note of recent amendments to the UK’s Price Marking Order and the CMA’s newly published report on loyalty pricing?

Thinking - Snapshot

News Flash: Timeline for the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

On 24 May 2024, the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) received Royal Assent.

Thinking - Podcast

The Work Couch: Disability inclusion at work (Part 3): What does genuine accessibility look like? with Samantha Renke

Published on 03 Dec 2024.

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.

Thinking - Podcast

The Work Couch: Disability inclusion at work (Part 2): Narratives, reasonable adjustments, and the business case for accessibility, with Samantha Renke

Published on 27 Nov 2024.

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.

Thinking - Publication

A new era for sustainability consumer products: the EU’s new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

Published on 20 Nov 2024. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead and Sophie Parkinson, Associate

On 18 July 2024 the ESPR entered into force setting a framework for new ecodesign rules in the EU. It will have significant impacts for retailers and consumer brands selling products in the EU. It will introduce new minimum ecodesign requirements for specific product categories (with an initial focus on textiles), make digital product passports mandatory and set rules on the destruction of unsold products. Companies face the risk of fines, consumer claims and reputational damage for non-compliance.

Thinking - Podcast

The Work Couch: Disability inclusion at work (Part 1): The lived experience, with Samantha Renke

Published on 20 Nov 2024.

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.

Thinking - Podcast

The Work Couch: How to tackle seven tricky disciplinary issues, with Joanna Holford

Published on 06 Nov 2024.

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.

Thinking - Publication

Product liability and safety legislative refurb

Published on 05 Nov 2024. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Sally Lord, Knowledge Lawyer Manager

The current legislation governing product safety is the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), but its shortcomings, especially on tech, are evident.On 13 December 2024 the EU will be replacing the GPSD with the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), and the latest King’s Speech indicated it will be replaced in the UK by a Product Safety and Metrology Bill.Separately, EU Member States are rolling out a revised Product Liability Directive (PLD) which captures the provision of software, digital services and online marketplaces.

Thinking - Publication

The EU Compliance headache you don't know you have? A priority primer on the European Accessibility Act

Published on 31 Oct 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and Hettie Homewood , Senior Associate

It is now less than a year until the EU Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into force, which will require businesses to ensure a range of products (eg smartphones and computers) and services (eg e-commerce services, consumer banking services, and ebooks) are accessible for persons with disabilities.

Thinking - Publication

Seeing the wood for the trees: preparing for new deforestation due diligence rules in the UK and EU

Published on 24 Oct 2024. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate, Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead

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The Work Couch: Employment Rights Bill: What employers need to know, with Patrick Brodie

Published on 23 Oct 2024.

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.

Thinking - Snapshot

Urgently Misleading: the CMA secures undertakings from Wowcher and £4 million of customer refunds

Published on 17 Oct 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

When does a selling practice create a false sense of urgency that is considered misleading by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)?

Thinking - Snapshot

Exemption from HFSS product restrictions for Ofcom-regulated internet protocol television (IPTV) services

Published on 17 Oct 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What is the UK Government's proposal for the incoming HFSS restrictions in relation to IPTV advertising?

Thinking - Snapshot

CMA targets Simba for misleading online choice architecture

Published on 17 Oct 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What types of promotional tactics are in the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) line of sight when it comes to misleading online choice architecture?

Thinking - Snapshot

CMA publishes draft guidance on enforcement of DMCCA consumer law

Published on 17 Oct 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

How will the CMA look to enforce the consumer protection law sections of the recently enacted Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA)?

Thinking - Podcast

The Work Couch: Black maternal experiences and supporting colleagues, with Shanice Holder, Tinuke Awe, Clo Rebecca Abe and Tonye Alagoa

Published on 09 Oct 2024.

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.

Press and Media

Navigating retail's sustainable revolution as ESG shapes the industry's future

Published on 02 Oct 2024. By Kimberley Nanson, Senior Communications Manager and Caroline Copland, Head of Marketing Communications

As the retail regulatory landscape continues to develop at pace and affordability and sustainability remain important for consumers, ESG poses a variety of opportunities and challenges for those in the retail and consumer market.

Thinking - Publication

Retail Compass Autumn 2024

Published on 02 Oct 2024. By Jeremy Drew, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner

Welcome to the autumn edition of Retail Compass. This edition sees a surge of ESG-related legislative and regulatory updates. We hope to guide you through the most pressing, as well as the wider upcoming legal and policy changes affecting retail and consumer brands.

Thinking - Blog

Top tips for Influencing Senior Stakeholders on Environmental Programmes: Insights from a Responsible Business Professional

Published on 25 Sep 2024. By Katie Horn, DEIB and Responsible Business Manager (Market Facing)

Effectively influencing senior stakeholders is essential for the success of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) programmes.

Thinking - Podcast

Neurodiversity at work (Part 3): How to implement effective neuro-inclusion

Published on 18 Sep 2024.

Ahead of ADHD awareness month in October, we are devoting our latest deep-dive mini-series to the topic of neurodiversity. Given 15 to 20% of the UK population are neurodivergent - and more than half of Gen Z identify as "definitely" or "somewhat" neurodiverse - it is essential for employers to understand how neurodiversity interacts with, and affects, employment law and the world of work.