SPRING 2024 ROUND-UP Food labelling changes ROUND-UP Since 1 January 2024, importers of prepacked foods from Europe into Great Britain (GB) have had to ensure there is a GB-based food business operator (FBO) and address on their labelling. The UK FBO accepts legal responsibility for the food, including legal compliance and food safety, and the presence and accuracy of the food information on the label. Foods sold in Northern Ireland (NI) continue to follow EU rules for food labelling since 2021, as a consequence of the Northern Ireland Protocol. For GB, a label that carries the addresses of the food business responsible for the information based in GB and one based in the EU/ NI is permissible, and will ensure address requirements are met for both markets, allowing the product to marketed in the EU/NI and GB. The address needs to be a physical address, where a business can be contacted by mail. An email address or phone number cannot be used. Providing an address gives consumers the opportunity to contact the manufacturer if they have a complaint about the product or if they want to know more about it. Products of animal origin As of 1 January 2024, UK/EC identification marks for products of animal origin can no longer be used within the GB market. Products that had the UK/EC identification mark applied before 1 January 2024 will be allowed to remain on the market. A number of new identification marks are now permitted depending on the destination for the product. Beef, veal and minced meat Beef, veal and minced meat placed on the GB market from 1 January 2024 must be labelled UK or non-UK when the label does not list each country of origin. Up!to!that date, a business had been able to refer to EU or non-EU when the label did not list each country of origin. Credits: Stuart Powell, Trading Standards Officer Image: iStock.com / monkeybusinessimages Letting agent fines The CEnTSA regional lettings project began at the end of 2022 to ensure letting agents comply with legislation regarding membership of a redress scheme. However, non-compliance still stands at about 40 per cent and it is more than double this figure in Birmingham. Failure to comply with these requirements can mean a maximum penalty of up to 30,000 per breach. Penalty charge notices of up to 15,000 have already been issued, with work ongoing into the next financial year. ROUND-UP Video guidance for vape retailers The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has released a video showing vape retailers how to comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. All vape retailers must have a take back process that includes: An in-store bin for waste single-use vapes Businesses must contact a WEEE compliance scheme or an AATF (Approved Authorised Treatment Facility) to arrange collection and recycling. Businesses must retain records of what they collect and recycle for 4 years. OPSS will be carrying out enforcement on vape retailers in the coming months and will be contacting them directly. The ban on single-use plastics as reported in TSBN Winter 2023 is now in force, but many businesses have not yet implemented the new measures. It is now prohibited in England to supply, or offer to supply, single-use plastic straws, plasticstemmed cotton buds, plastic drink stirrers, plastic plates, bowls, trays, cutlery and balloon sticks, or polystyrene cups and food and drink containers. Guidance on the regulations is available for businesses. should refer them to the video or to further guidance on compliance with the WEEE regulations. The OPSS can be contacted via email or by phone on 0121 345 1201. Credits: Bubbly Sandhu, Senior Regulatory Compliance, Local authorities that become aware of retailers not taking back waste vapes Officer. Bubbly.sandhu@businessandtrade.gov.uk Image: iStock.com / danchooalex CE recognition to continue The UK Department for Business and Trade will continue to recognise EU requirements including the CE mark for a range of non-food products, meaning businesses can use either the UKCA or CE mark to sell relevant products in Britain. For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service For up-to-date news stories and information, follow us on Anonymous Hotline 0300 303 2636 Is your sector being undermined by unscrupulous traders operating outside the law? Report them via Trading Standards Anonymous Hotline or online and help level the playing field for honest businesses.