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CSRD: shakeup of the EU's sustainability reporting rules
The EU’s new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) entered into force on 5 January 2023.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Business protection (Part 1): When a senior executive leaves
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.
Read moreSenior executive leaving? Six steps to protect your business
When an executive or key strategic employee departs your organisation, protecting your organisation's business interests is paramount.
Read moreTips On Implementing Menopause Support Policies At Work
The conversation around menopause and its associated challenges is undoubtedly becoming more open and frequent, with people in the public eye speaking out about their experiences and urging women and others experiencing menopause to seek support and treatment.
Read moreDeposit Return Scheme: Key considerations for drinks producers and retailers in the UK
Defra has now responded to its consultation on the introduction of a DRS in England, Wales and NI. The DRS will require retailers to charge a small fee on certain drinks containers sold, which consumers can reclaim if they return the container to a designated return point.
Read moreEU set to tackle greenwashing with Green Claims Directive
On the 22 March 2023, the European Commission published its proposal for a new 'Green Claims Directive' setting out standardised rules for the assessment, substantiation and communication of green claims.
Read moreGoing Green – staying on the right side of competition law
Environmental issues are high on the agenda for many consumers and businesses alike. They are also increasingly an area of focus for competition authorities around the world, including the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), who are keen to ensure that competition law concerns do not unnecessarily prevent businesses from collaborating legitimately on environmental sustainability initiatives.
Read moreThe Mandatory Reference Checking Scheme – Part 1: Employees' rights and entitlements
Following up on our previous article on the obligations of authorized institutions ("AI") as Recruiting AIs and Reference Providing AIs under the Mandatory Reference Checking Scheme (the "MRC Scheme"), this article shifts the focus onto the rights of a prospective employee under the MRC Scheme.
Read moreLuxury today - go green or go home?
"Sustainability" is the new buzzword in marketing.
Read moreNew REUL? How will the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) affect UK businesses?
When the Brexit transition period ended, so did the alignment of EU law with UK domestic law.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Flexible Working
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.
Read moreA bolstering of the consumer protection regime and some sharper teeth for the CMA – a first look at the new UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
It's been a little over a year in the making, and it's been one of the most hotly anticipated legislative updates since it was first announced in April 2022, but the first draft of the UK's catchily titled Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, is finally here.
Read moreWhat are the 8 key legal changes ahead for retailers in 2023?
RPC's Retail Compass explores impact of regulatory reforms, rising ESG concerns and fast-evolving AI technology in difficult economic conditions.
Read moreRetail Compass Spring 2023
Welcome to our Spring edition of Retail Compass, where we guide you through the key legal and policy changes affecting retail and consumer brands and provide our thoughts on those crucial, need-to-know issues.
Read morePhase 1 of the Mandatory Reference Checking Scheme: What should employers look out for?
On 5 May 2022, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority ("HKMA") announced the implementation of the Mandatory Reference Checking Scheme (the "MRC Scheme") (including the guidelines) issued by the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the DTC Association (the "Guidelines").
Read moreThe Work Couch: Preventing sexual harassment post-#MeToo (Part 1): How do UK and Australian laws compare?
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.
Read moreRepeal of provisions relating to COVID-19 vaccination under the Employment Ordinance
The Labour Department announced on 12 April 2023 that the provisions under the Employment Ordinance ("EO") relating to a legitimate COVID-19 vaccination request (the "Vaccination Provisions") will be repealed with effect on 16 June 2023, one year after they first came into effect on 17 June 2022.
Read moreAn introduction to TUPE (Part 1): Why does it matter?
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.
Read moreGoing Green - Draft Sustainability Guidance from the CMA
Following its public consultation, the CMA has published its advice to government on how competition and consumer laws can help meet the UK's environmental goals.
Read moreWhat if the CEO asks me about... using Artificial Intelligence in our Retail stores?
The term "artificial intelligence" (AI) describes a range of technologies that enable machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as the ability to comprehend, act and learn.
Read moreThe Work Couch: How is the Cost of Living crisis affecting DEIB?
Welcome to our recently launched podcast, The Work Couch. In this series, 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.
Read moreTotal Recall – modernising recall notices for 2023
Historically, consumers purchased products on the high street from particular retailers or from specific consumer brands' shops. Repeat visitors in store were commonplace. However, consumers now have a swathe of buying routes available to them – whether to purchase goods in-store, through a large range of retailers or online. Whilst hugely beneficial in some respects, this can present challenges for retailers in the event of needing to initiate a product recall. How do you track down the relevant consumers in such circumstances, and to what lengths are retailers and consumer brands expected to go?
Read moreWhat if the CEO asks me about… electric vehicle charging points?
The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) on our roads is growing, and with that comes an increased demand for EV charging points. However, the uneven distribution of EV charging points across the country is now presenting an opportunity for retailers in the fight for customers.
Read moreThe impact of menopause in the workplace
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast that covers everything employment. In celebration of International Women's Day, we have chosen to devote our first episode to menopause in the workplace and how the law currently protects affected employees.
Read moreSnapshot on key 'green claims' developments
As consumers increasingly demand more sustainable products, businesses are innovating to reduce their environmental impact. This has driven an increase in the use of 'green' marketing claims and, with it, increased scrutiny by consumer regulators seeking to protect consumers from the risk of 'greenwashing'. Significant developments are ongoing in this area, both in the UK and the EU.
Read moreExpansion of the Pilot Scheme on Immigration Facilitation for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors
The "Pilot Scheme on Immigration Facilitation for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors" (the "Pilot Scheme") was launched back on 1 June 2022 to last for two years.
Read moreProtests on the rise – are you covered?
With public focus on political issues running high, the possibility of protests interrupting your business should be on every retailer and consumer brand's risk management agenda.
Read moreEquality Act recognises there is no comparable situation to pregnancy discrimination…so why is menopause treated differently?
International law firm RPC says there is 'innate inconsistency' in saying law already protects against menopause discrimination, while arguing proposed change would create new legal risks
Read moreLifting the veil on cyber threats for retailers
Almost all UK businesses (approximately 98%) now operate online in some capacity, benefiting hugely from an increased use of online websites, social media accounts, and online banking
Read moreEmpathetic leadership is key to understanding menopause in the workplace
Employers, business leaders and managers must be proactive in understanding the realities of the menopause and providing appropriate support, writes Kelly Thomson
Read moreCasting your net zero ambitions: eight key steps for retailers
With climate change at the forefront of the ESG agenda, the employment relationship, and the opportunities to engage with the workforce on this subject, are crucial ingredients in the quest to becoming a truly green retailer.
Read moreUK set to reform consumer protection legislation and its competitive regime
The UK is set to introduce a wide array of changes to its consumer protection legislation and competition regime. The focus of the changes revolves around giving greater protection to consumers over subscription traps, tackling fake reviews and improving enforcement. The latter is likely to bring in GDPR/competition law-level fines for breaches of consumer protection legislation or non-compliance with the CMA's investigations or remedies, with maximum fines of up to 10% of global annual turnover.
Read moreWhat if the CEO asks me about... Buy-Now-Pay-Later promotions?
As consumers battle with the rising cost of living, many face difficult decisions about how they will finance their spending.
Read moreHype Economics: the haves and the have bots
With the most wanted items selling out in the blink of an eye, consumers are leveraging automation to get ahead. Is the use of bots creating more than a moral dilemma for retailers?
Read moreTen tips for retailers entering the metaverse
Once the province of online gaming and social media, the metaverse is the new hot topic in retail.
Read moreDeadline for responses to hybrid / distance working review brought forward
At the height of summer 2022 the (soon to be disbanded) Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) announced a review (the Review) into the emerging trends, and tax implications, of hybrid and distance working.
Read moreRetail Compass Autumn 2022
Welcome to this bumper Autumn edition of Retail Compass, where we guide you through key upcoming legal and policy changes affecting Retail and Consumer Brands and provide our thoughts on those crucial, need-to-know issues.
Read moreExtended producer responsibility for packaging: How to prepare
In the Spring 2022 edition of Retail Compass, we reported on the Government's consultation on regulations covering extended producer responsibility (EPR) which places the financial burden of dealing with packaging once it becomes waste on producers as opposed to taxpayers.
Read moreWhere to next for Buy Now Pay Later?
On Monday 20 June 2022, HM Treasury responded to its consultation on proposals to extend regulation to unregulated Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) products. This consultation closed in January 2022. The Treasury's response confirmed the scope of regulation will cover BNPL products and short-term interest free credit (STIFC) provided by third-party lenders.
Read moreOnline Sales Tax: the right way forward?
On 25 February 2022, HM Treasury launched a consultation exploring the possible introduction of an online sales tax (OST) to address the imbalance resulting from the higher business rates applying to in store retailers, compared to online businesses. The consultation closed on 20 May 2022.
Read moreIt's a supermarket sweep as HFSS products face sweeping promotion and placement restrictions
In an attempt to tackle obesity in the UK, in particular childhood obesity, a swathe of restrictions on the placement and promotion of HFSS products in-store and online will be introduced in phases from October 2022 to January 2024.
Read moreGreenwashing: UK regulators set their sights on misleading green claims with an increasing focus on sectors such as fashion retail and F&D
UK consumer regulators, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), are ramping up their enforcement of green claims to protect consumers from 'greenwashing'
Read moreVertical Agreements: The New Reality
For those operating in the retail sector (amongst others), 1st June 2022 saw changes to the UK and EU competition law rules and the "safe harbour" or exemption from the application of competition law for certain types of vertical agreements, i.e. for contractual parties operating at different levels of the supply chain.
Read moreLow2NoBev Show - RPC takes front row seat as exclusive legal sponsor as the "No/Lo" alcohol drinks category soars
Ahead of RPC acting as the exclusive legal sponsor of the Low2NoBev Show taking place at Olympia London later this month (26 – 28 September 2022), it is useful to understand the fundamental changes happening in this growing sector and the potential discussion points that may arise relating to the marketing of these products.
Read moreAt a Glance: Recent Changes to Hong Kong Employment Law You Should Know About
The past year has seen a number of major changes in Hong Kong employment law, many of which have been years in the making. This short article summarises the key developments and changes since mid-2021 that employers should take note of.
Read moreCovid as a disability in Hong Kong
In the recent landmark case of Burke v Turning Point Scotland, a Scottish Tribunal confirmed that "long Covid" amounted to a disability under the UK Equality Act 2010.
Read moreUK retail sector M&A deals increase to 34 – up 21% on last year
• M&A targeting fashion retailers particularly active
Read moreWhat'SUP? Single-Use Plastics (SUP) are next target in UK government's war on plastic waste
It only takes a short walk along London's Regent's Canal to witness the sheer volume of littered single-use plastics (SUP).
Read moreWhat if the CEO asks me about… using customer personal data to achieve our commercial objectives?
As a society, we are increasingly able to collect, store and use large volumes of personal data. For retailers and consumer brands, this can provide a valuable source of intelligence around customer behaviour and market trends. While using personal data for these purposes undoubtedly provides opportunities, it can also potentially create risk due to the heavily regulated privacy landscape.
Read moreThe Summer of ‘Pre-Love’: Has Fast Fashion been Dumped by the British Public?
ITV’s Love Island is back on our screens, officially marking the British summer. This year the show is dumping fast fashion and ‘coupling up’ with its first-ever second-hand clothing sponsor, eBay, with contestants now donning pre-loved pieces sourced from the resale platform.
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