Welcome to the Retail, Food & Hospitality Regulatory & EU round-up. Week ending 11 May 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 updates

Prosecutions reported of egg packers for extending shelf lives: The Animal and Plant Health Agency has reported on four prosecutions of egg packers brought by its Egg Marketing inspectorate regarding the relabelling of eggs to extend their shelf life. View >

Details emerge of major free trade deals with India and Unites States:

India: Agreement was reached on 6 May 2025 between the Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi, following final talks in London between the Business and Trade Secretary, the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, and the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal. The deal will slash costs on UK exports, including whiskies and gin, cosmetics, medical devices, advanced machinery and lamb. As a result of this FTA, both the UK and India will maintain their respective competition and consumer protection regimes as part of a transparent regulatory environment. The UK and India have also agreed to promote cooperation on the application and enforcement of competition and consumer protection policies and law. News > Technical note > Policy paper > Food and Drink Federation >
United States: Car export tariffs will reduce from 27.5% to 10%. Steel industry tariff reduced from 25% to zero, new zero tariff two-way beef quotas of 13,000 metric tonnes. The UK and the US plan to work constructively to enhance agricultural market access. Further, both countries positively support future discussions to strengthen bilateral agricultural trade. The UK and the US affirm that imported food and agricultural goods must comply with the importing country’s sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards and other mutually agreed standards. News > Publication > British Chambers of Commerce > Food and Drink Federation > Federation of Small Businesses > Chartered Institute of Environmental Health >

Deposit return scheme administrator appointed: The UK, and Scottish Governments and N.I Executive have jointly appointed business led UK Deposit Management Organisation Ltd to implement a deposit return scheme for plastic and metal one trip drinks containers by October 2027. UK DMO will now begin engaging with partners including the three governments, business, including drinks producers and retailers, consumer and environmental groups to design and operate a scheme which works for everyone. Producers, retailers and other interested parties are encouraged to visit the UK DMO website and register their interest in getting updates here >. British Retail Consortium > Association of Convenience Stores > Food and Drink Federation > WRAP > UK Deposit Management Organisation >

Government sets out its position of priorities for OFCOM enforcement of Online Safety: The Government has responded to the draft statement of priorities set out by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology providing a clearer direction to OFCOM as to performance of its role. Ofcom has commenced investigations as to the adequacy of age assurance operated by two porn web sites. View > OFCOM >

EU updates

DEFRA Publish amended guidance on product marking under N.I retail movement scheme from 1^st July: The amended guidance amends lists of phase 3 products that need individual product labels from 1 July 2025' including adding products to the list of 'Other products of animal origin that need individual labels, and editing and adding products to the list of products that are exempt from individual labelling in all settings'. View >

EU Commission receive pledge from Coca-Cola to address greenwashing: The European Commission has announced that Coca-Cola has agreed to change some of its labelling practices, following a complaint for greenwashing that BEUC and its members lodged in November 2023 with the support of Client Earth. Coca-Cola has agreed to clarify that ‘100%’ recycling claims refer only to the plastic bottle body and not to other components, such as caps and labels. The bottle maker also commits to avoid giving the impression of a closed recycling loop. BEUC > Client Earth >

EU Commission highlight new rules on appliance energy consumption in standby mode. Revised EU rules for the energy consumption of electrical appliances in standby, off mode, and networked standby apply from 9 May 2025.View >

EU Regulations:

Setting out EU Pesticide residues monitoring programme 2026-2028. View >
Biocides: chlorine > Oxivir Excel BPF >
Novel foods: glucosyl hesperidin >
Plant protection products: elemental iron > lenacil > 1-methylcyclopropene >

European Food Safety Authority opinions:

Feed additives: vermiculite > Duddington flagrans >

Developments to watch

Protect UK: Publish digital communication tools for business for campaign to keep the public safe from terrorism this summer. View >

Welsh Government: Introduce Regulations to ban the sale of ‘wet wipes’ containing plastic by December 2026. View >

Advertising Standards Authority: Uphold complaint re price reduction claim by Living and Home Ltd due to lack of evidence of substantiation of normal selling price. View >

For your information

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

US Food and Drugs Administration: Announce the approval of three natural colours and pledge to extend unannounced inspection activity of overseas manufacturing facilities. View > View >

Financial Conduct Authority: Appoint David Geale as MD Payment Systems Regulator and Executive Director for Payments and digital finance. View >

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