SPRING 2019 TOPICS REVISITED KEEP IN MIND... There are so many things to consider when running a business, so it’s useful to be reminded of issues and legislation that may affect your company. Here are three topics that TSBN has covered previously MODERN SLAVERY Modern slavery and human trafficking are very real problems, happening right now in UK communities. It is estimated that, throughout the country, there are 10,000 victims of modern slavery, which takes many forms: n Forced labour - making people work long hours for little or no pay, in poor conditions, under threats of violence to them or their families n Child trafficking – under-18s moved into/around the UK to exploit them for work, prostitution or sexualabuse n Domestic servitude – forcing people to do chores and childcare duties, usually in private households, for little or no pay, and restricting their freedom n Criminal exploitation – making people commit crimes, such as pick-pocketing, shoplifting, growing cannabis and drug trafficking. Victims can be any age, gender, ethnicity or nationality, and businesses can play a role in combating modern-day slavery. Key things to look out for are: n Several unrelated adults living at a single address n People being regularly collected very early in the morning and/or being returned late at night n Signs of injury, malnourishment, and untidy appearance n Anxiousness and fearfulness - is the person always accompanied by an ‘interpreter’ who controls what they say? n Isolation from the rest of the community n Poor working conditions n Poor health and safety n A woman being kept in a residence where there are many male visitors. If you see something suspicious, call the police on 101 or telephone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. For more on modern slavery, see TSBN Winter 2017. CANCELLATION RIGHTS If you agree a contract for goods or services worth more than £42 with a consumer in their home or away from your business premises, you must provide certain information – including written cancellation rights. A consumer is legally entitled to cancel most contracts and receive a refund within 14 days of the date on which the service is agreed, or 14 days after the day on which they received the last of their goods. Cancellation rights do not have to be given if the goods are made to a consumer’s specifications or personalised, and when a consumer has specifically requested a visit to carry out urgent repairs. It is a criminal offence not to issue written cancellation rights, and they have to be given in the specific format required by legislation. The law does allow services to start within the 14-day cancellation period, but only when a consumer makes an explicit request, on a durable medium – for example, in writing or by email – for this to happen. In these circumstances, the consumer does not lose the right to cancel, but the trader can charge a reasonable fee for the work that has been done before cancellation. For more information, visit the Business Companion website or TSBN Spring 2018. FOREIGN LANGUAGE LABELLING Pre-packed food not labelled in English cannot legally be sold by a retailer in the UK. Labels must contain the following information in English: n Name of the food n List of ingredients, including any of the 14 allergens n Quantity of any ingredient highlighted in the food n Indication of durability n Storage conditions or instructions to make appropriate use of the food n Name and address of the responsible business operator n Place of origin, if its absence would mislead n Net quantity n Nutritional information The simplest way to comply with the law is to buy food that is already labelled in English. If it is not, do not put it on your shelves for sale. If you translate the label yourself, you become the food business operator and must put your name and address on the food. You are then responsible for the accuracy of the information. Remember, if the allergen information is incorrect, it could lead to serious health implications, or even death, for someone with an allergy who eats the food. If you don’t provide the correct allergen information, you may be commiting a criminal offence and face the possibility of an unlimited fine. For further advice, contact your local Trading Standards Service, go to the Business Companion website, or see TSBN Autumn 2017. For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service