Saturday, August 30th, 2008
The Regulatory Enforcement Sanctions Bill, which is designed to reduce the burden of red tape on honest businesses while clamping down on rogue traders, has received Royal Assent.
The aim is to create a more flexible, risk based approach which specifically targets the worst offenders. Ministers claim it contains no new paperwork for harassed businesses and should help firms in England and Wales save an estimated £64m.
One of the main proposals is that regulators should be given additional powers to tackle businesses which put people or the environment at risk by cutting corners and then use the savings they make to enable them to undercut more law-abiding companies.
There is to be a new body, the Local Better Regulation Office, to oversee enforcement. It will support local authorities and is designed to improve and simplify regulation in such areas as environmental health, trading standards, and alcohol and gambling licensing legislation.
Regulators will be encouraged to focus enforcement effort on businesses most likely to cause harm, at the same time as improving advice and reducing unnecessary burdens for honest businesses.
© Copyright 2008 Burt Brill and Cardens Solicitors