Common commencement dates
Most new laws affecting businesses come into force on one of two common commencement dates (CCDs) each year - 6 April and 1 October. CCDs enable you to prepare your business for the introduction of new, amended or reduced requirements.
Note that certain changes affect the financial year and so may have an in-force date of 1 April 2010. For simplicity, this summary treats both dates as a single CCD.
This page gives you an early snapshot of regulations expected to come into force for the April 2010 CCD. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
To keep informed of regulations affecting your business:
- see our section on regulation updates for detailed guidance for regulations that are about to, or have recently come into force
- sign up to our regulation update email alert service for regulatory news and any other CCD regulations that might arise
Taxes, returns & payroll
: From 1 April 2010, all existing VAT-registered businesses with an annual turnover of £100,000 or more excluding VAT - and all businesses newly registering for VAT - will have to submit their VAT returns online and pay any VAT due electronically. See our guide on moving from paper to online VAT Returns and paying electronically.
: This will increase from £40 to £48 per tonne for disposals made - or treated as made - on or after 1 April 2010. See our regulation update: increase in landfill tax.
: The rateable value thresholds that determine a ratepayer's entitlement to small business rate relief or rural rate relief - and the amount of that relief - are being increased. See our regulation update: revised thresholds for small business and rural rate relief.
Employing people
: Employees in firms with more than 250 employees will gain the right to request time off for training. The right will be extended to all employees in April 2011. See our regulation update: new right for employees to request time to train.
: A new statement of fitness for work is being introduced to replace existing medical statements (or 'sick notes'). See our regulation update: introduction of important changes to medical statements.
: Eligible employees gain the right to share their partner's statutory maternity or adoption leave.
IT & e-commerce
: Businesses that seriously contravene the data protection principles may receive a penalty of up to £500,000. See our regulation update: introduction of monetary penalties for data protection breaches.
Health, safety, premises
: Employers in England will have to assess a worker's capabilities to carry out fire safety-related tasks. See our regulation update: duty to consider the fire safety capabilities of workers.
Environment & efficiency
: Larger businesses may have to start taking action under the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
Your business sector
Construction
: Businesses responsible for ensuring that conventional tower cranes used on construction sites are thoroughly examined by a competent person must give the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) information about such cranes. See our regulation update: duty to notify the HSE of conventional tower cranes.
: Construction businesses will have to comply with changes to the Building Regulations 2000. These will introduce for new buildings:
- a minimum water efficiency requirement
- a maximum temperature requirement for bath water
The rules will also be strengthened and clarified on:
- the safety of hot water systems
- the supply of water of suitable quality for personal and food hygiene
: Supervisors and trained operatives will have to be reassessed every five years before they can re-register on the Street Works Qualification Register and continue to carry out street works. See our regulation update: reassessment for street works operatives and supervisors.
Sports facility operation
: Minimum welfare standards are to be introduced for greyhound racing tracks in England. See our regulation update: new animal welfare standards for greyhound tracks.
Bicycle and bicycle parts manufacturing and retail
: New bicycles will have to come supplied with certain safety features. See our regulation update: revised safety standards for pedal bicycles.
Fishing, water transport for passengers, and marine and inland water freight
: Operators of merchant ships, yachts, and fishing and code vessels must ensure the safety of workers working at height.
: Operators of merchant ships, yachts, and fishing and code vessels must assess risks to seafarers from hazardous biological and chemical agents.
A new CCD summary page is published ahead of 6 April and 1 October each year. It may be updated from time to time, with each new version published replacing the preceding one.
The Government's Forward Regulatory Programme
The Forward Regulatory Programme sets out the planned changes to regulations which will impact on business and that are due to come into force by April 2011. It also lists the most significant measures that are being developed and are due to come into force after April 2011. Find out about the Forward Regulatory Programme on the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills website (PDF, 630K) - Opens in a new window.
Submit a suggestion to improve regulation
Businesses can have a direct influence on how the regulations that affect them are devised and delivered. Suggestions can include cutting the amount of time you spend filling in forms, ideas on where regulations that overlap or contradict can be rationalised or regulations, which in your view, are unnecessary. Submit a suggestion to improve regulation with the Better Regulation Executive.
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