spring 2018 round-up Payments are now fee-free The ban on businesses charging a fee for credit or debit card payments including payment methods linked to cards, such as PayPal or Apple Pay is now in force. It came into effect on 13 January, and covers all card payments, including those for goods and services, taxes and charitable donations. The ban does not extend to business credit cards or cash/cheque payments, however, so businesses can still levy a surcharge for these, even if they are used for personal purchases. Delivery, booking or administrative fees are also still permitted, but the same fee must be charged for all methods of payment. So, a 10 booking fee regardless of whether payment is by cash, debit card or another method. round-up To avoid misleading consumers, such fees or charges must be made clear, and the total price must be quoted inclusive of any nonoptional surcharges before the customer starts to make a purchase for example, before they add a product to an online shopping basket, or take it to a shop till. Penalties For businesses that fail to adhere to the new rules, Trading Standards can apply for a court order requiring them to comply. If they ignore the order, the maximum penalty is a fine and two years imprisonment. Consumers right of redress If the fee has not yet been paid, you cannot make the consumer pay it; if it has been paid, it must be refunded. The customer can take legal action to recover their money. This right applies whether or not enforcement action has also been taken by Trading Standards. Further reading The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has published more detailed guidance on the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations 2012. Credit: Stuart Powell iStock.com / bernie_photo Government to clamp down on lasers round-up The government is to work with manufacturers and retailers to improve the labelling of laser pointers, so that the power level of products is stated and a warning is given not to point them at eyes or vehicles. Policing of online sales of lasers will also be improved through work with retailers such as eBay, while tighter controls will be introduced at UK ports to prevent unsafe, high-powered lasers from being imported. The new measures were announced by the government on 8 January 2018. Laser pointers are small devices that project a narrow beam, and are usually used in a classroom or presentation setting. In recent years, they have become popular with children and there has been an increase in the misuse of such products. More than 150 incidences of eye injuries caused by laser pointers were reported in 2013, most of which involved children. In 2016, the Civil Aviation Authority reported more than 1,200 incidents of reckless use of lasers, while the British Transport Police record around 96 incidents per year. Class 1 or Class 2 laser products should be available for the public to buy. If marketed as a toy, the products must comply with BS EN 62115, which requires toys containing lasers to be within Class 1 under all conditions, including when broken. Importers and sellers of laser pointers must ensure the products are safe for consumers. Retailers selling lasers more powerful than Class 2 to consumers could be prosecuted by Trading Standards under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, which stipulate that only safe products should be on general sale. Further information Laser radiation: introduction and safety advice Public Health England BS EN 60825-1:2014 Standards Centre Eight important safety tips to keep in mind when using your laser pointer eBay Laser pen danger Newcastle City Council The police will enforce misuse of laser pointers, which includes shining lasers at any transport operator. More detailed information on laser-pointer safety can be found here. Credit: Marion Wilson Public Health England advises that only iStock.com / uilleann Recipe for success Your cooking has drawn rave reviews from friends and families but how do you start selling your food commercially from home? If you dont have any business experience, you are probably daunted by the responsibilities that come with making and selling food. But dont worry help is at hand. Your food business premises must be registered with your local authoritys environmental health service at least 28 days before you are due to open. It and Trading Standards are both departments of your local council and are there to offer advice and assistance. So dont worry about contacting them they would much rather help you become a successful business than take enforcement action. It will help them to advise you if you have a clear idea of what you intend to do and how. So do some research before contacting your local Trading Standards and environmental departments. The Food Standards Agency, for example, has a range of informative videos, while Business Companion and smallbusiness. co.uk also have useful tips on running a catering business from home. For further information please contact your local Trading Standards Service