Statement of forthcoming regulations in 2007

Introduction

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is committed to helping business and other stakeholders adapt to changes in occupational health and safety law and practice. In February 2005, HSE decided to implement changes that arise from within the UK on only two dates each year. We have extended this to legislation arising from Europe, wherever it is in our control to do so. This statement lists the regulations that commence during 2007. We will update it every six months, covering a rolling 12-month period.
2. The two ‘Common Commencement Dates’ are:
   • 6 April (the start of the tax year); and
   • 1 October
3. By harmonising commencement dates we hope that those affected (ie businesses, employee representatives and individuals) will be more aware of forthcoming changes and better able to plan for and implement new measures effectively.
4. The dates provided in this statement are correct at the time of publication. However, commencement dates could change following consultation with stakeholders or consideration by the Health and Safety Commission and Ministers.
5. This statement details changes to occupational health and safety law and practice that are due to commence over the next twelve months. It has four sections:  
   • Section A details changes that are due to commence on 6 April 2007;
   • Section B details changes that are due to commence on 1 October 2007;
   • Section C details changes to domestic regulations that impact on a specific business sector only and where alignment with either of the above commencement dates would be of no benefit to that sector. There are none in this statement;
   • Section D details regulations arising from Europe, where it has not been possible to align the coming into force date with either of the two common commencements. HSE does nothave full control of the commencement date for regulations arising from Europe.
6. Further information on occupational health and safety laws and the supporting framework is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/index.htm.

HSE Consultations

Details of new occupational health and safety policies and issues under consultation are available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm.  The web page is updated regularly.

Notes

1. The harmonisation of the commencement dates of legislation stems from a recommendation in the Better Regulation Task Force report ‘Employment Regulation: Striking a balance’, published in 2002.  The Task Force reported that a common complaint by employers was that changes to employment policy seemed to happen in an uncoordinated fashion.  It proposed common commencement dates for employment policy.
2. Following a DTI pilot for employment legislation during 2004 and formal consultation with businesses, the Government undertook to extend common commencement dates to further areas of regulation during 2005 and 2006. HSE was among the first to adopt this approach.