Welcome to the Retail, Food & Hospitality Regulatory & EU round-up. Week ending 03 August 2025

This week’s regulatory developments in order of importance, so you can ensure you're up to date with the latest changes impacting your business.

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Retail, Food & Hospitality Important updates

Consultation on proposals to tackle poor payment practices as part of backing business strategy: The Department for Business has launched a consultation on tackling a range of poor payment related issues in business to business dealings, including late payment, payment terms longer than 60 days, requiring invoices to be disputed within 30 days of issue, mandatory payment of interest, and curbing of retentions in construction contracts. The proposals include strengthened powers for the Small Business Commissioner to conduct investigations and impose financial penalties. The Consultation forms a key part of the governments ‘Backing Your Business’ strategy for small and medium sized businesses, together with licensing reforms.

Responses to the consultation are required by 23rd October. View > View > View > View > UK Hospitality > Association of Convenience stores >

Supreme Court rule on car finance transactions: The Supreme Court has overturned decisions of the Court of Appeal that there was an element of bribery / lack of transparency to the consumer in the relationship between car seller and finance company in consumer motor vehicle purchases, where the finance company paid commission to the motor dealer. The Supreme Court did, however, rule that in the case of a particular transaction its fairness could be explored under the Consumer Credit Act. View >

Competition and Markets Authority set out consumer law guidance on selling goods and services: The CMA has published a compilation of guidance that it has issued on complying with consumer law banning unfair commercial practices, avoiding unfair contract terms, ensuring fair consumer reviews, refunds, marketing and advertising. View >

Acrylamide levels in food in the spotlight: The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland have launched a call for evidence to ascertain the levels of acrylamide currently present in food and control strategies businesses have in place. Acrylamide, which is a potential carcinogen, is formed when starchy foods (such as potatoes and bread) are cooked at high temperatures (above 120°C). The Agencies are intending to use the data to inform their risk analysis and to determine what further control measures may be appropriate. Responses are required by 30^th November. View >

EU updates

DG Environment launch consultation on Circular Economy Act: The Commission has launched a call for evidence as part of its impact assessment process on the act, which is due for adoption in 2026. View >

EU Council publish overview of regulatory simplification initiatives: Since February 2025, in response to the request from the European Council, the Commission has presented a series of simplification proposals, also referred to as ‘omnibuses’. The main aim of the simplification omnibuses is to reduce administrative costs and reporting requirements for EU businesses. Concrete targets include reducing both costs and reporting obligations by at least 25% for all businesses (a saving of €37.5 billion) and by at least 35% for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by 2030. Omnibuses have focussed on sustainability, EU investments, common agricultural policy, small and mid-caps and digitalisation, defence readiness and chemicals. View >

Voluntary sustainability reporting for SME’s: The Commission has adopted a recommendation on voluntary sustainability reporting for SMEs. The recommendation presents a voluntary standard that will make it easier for SMEs, that are not covered by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), to respond to specific requests for sustainability information from large financial institutions and companies. View >

EU Commission president publishes statement on EU-US Trade deal: The EU and US have ‘stabilised’ on a single 15% tariff rate for the vast majority of EU exports and also agreed on zero-for-zero tariffs on a number of strategic products, including aircraft and component parts, certain chemicals, certain generics, semiconductor equipment, certain agricultural products, natural resources and critical raw materials. View >

EU Regulations

On novel foods: Calanus finmarchicus oil > Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) oil > 3-Fucosyllactose > View > potassium magnesium trichloride hexahydrate > phytosterols/phytostanols > Schizochytrium limacinum >
Authorising feed additive: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum >
Setting maximum residue levels: Acetamiprid >
Health claim approval: Green kiwifruit and normal bowel function >

European Food Safety Authority opinions

Feed additives: Basil tincture > Lavender tincture > L-histidine, L-histidine monohydrate > Peppermint tincture > Sage tincture > Thyme tincture >
Novel food: synthetic cannabidiol >
Food enzyme: Aspariganase >
Maximum residue levels for plant protection product: Fenazaquin >
Pesticide risk assessment: Metalaxyl-M >

European Court of Justice

Uphold annulment of ruling on cancer risk of Titanium dioxide. View >

Developments to watch

DEFRA:

Publish update on ongoing avian flu epidemic.
View >
Devolved administrations Issue regulatory position statements regarding packaging assessment methodology and data reporting under extended producer responsibility for packaging waste.
View >

OFCOM: Widen investigation of age verification by porn site operators. View >

Food Standards Scotland: Issue call for evidence on food health aspects of UK – India trade agreement.

Responses required by 26^th September. View >

CIEH: Highlight rising number of Shiga Toxin, E. coli food poisoning cases. View >

Pubs Code Adjudicator: Consult as to whether a simplified arbitration process might encourage tenants to complain.

Responses required by 23^rd October. View >

Advertising Standards Authority: Uphold complaint regarding price reduction claim by ‘Origin sleep Ltd’ due to lack of substantiation. View >

For your information

Non-food product safety alerts: Office for Product Safety and Standards > EU Safety Gate > US Consumer Product Safety Commission >

Government Chemist: Publish food and feed legislation update for April – June 2025. View >

Office for Product Safety and Standards: Publish Delivery report 2024 and appoint three new members to advisory board. View > View >

Client Earth: Publish research on consumer understanding of plastics recycling and claims. View >

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