Step-by-step business journeys

Start a manufacturing business

Launch a manufacturing business with the right permits and compliance

Set up a non-metallic mineral products manufacturing business

Learning path for new manufacturers of glass, ceramics, cement, lime, plaster, concrete products and cut stone. Work out which rules apply, put a safe factory and your respirable-silica controls in place, meet the conformity rules for construction and consumer products you sell, handle your environmental permit and UK Emissions Trading Scheme duties if you run a kiln or furnace, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up a paper manufacturing business

Learning path for new paper manufacturers — pulp and paper mills, board, corrugating, converting and paper products. Work out which rules apply, put a safe mill in place, manage your environmental permits and water, meet the product-market rules, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up a rubber or plastics manufacturing business

Learning path for new rubber and plastics manufacturers — injection moulders and extruders, plastic builders' ware and pipe makers, plastic packaging and food-container manufacturers, and tyre and rubber-goods makers. Work out which rules apply, put a safe factory and your UK REACH duties in place, meet the conformity rules for products you place on the market, handle packaging producer responsibility and the Plastic Packaging Tax, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up a basic metal production business

Learning path for new basic-metal producers — iron and steelworks, aluminium and other non-ferrous smelters and refiners, and iron, steel and non-ferrous foundries. Work out which rules apply, put a safe high-hazard production plant in place with its environmental and major-accident controls, meet the conformity rules for products you place on the market, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up a coke or petroleum manufacturing business

Learning path for new operators of oil refineries, coke works and refined-petroleum plants. Work out which rules apply, set up a safe major-hazard installation (COMAH, DSEAR, environmental permit and UK ETS), meet the fuel-quality and excise-duty rules, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up a furniture manufacturing business

Learning path for new furniture manufacturers — upholstered furniture and mattresses, wooden, kitchen and office furniture. Work out which rules apply, put a safe factory and your wood-dust controls in place, meet the furniture fire-safety and product-safety rules, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up a machinery manufacturing business

Learning path for new machinery and equipment manufacturers — engines, pumps and compressors, machine tools, lifting and handling equipment, agricultural machinery and industrial plant. Work out which rules apply, put a safe factory and your employment duties in place, meet the conformity and type-approval regimes for what you make, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up a machinery repair and installation business

Learning path for new repair and installation businesses — general machinery repair and industrial installation, and the specialist gas, refrigeration, pressure-systems, marine and aircraft trades. Work out which rules apply, put a safe business in place, get the specialist approvals for the systems you work on, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up a metal fabrication business

Learning path for new fabricated-metal manufacturers — structural steel fabricators, tank and vessel makers, jobbing platers, tool and fastener makers and architectural metalworkers. Work out which rules apply, put a safe workshop in place, meet the conformity rules for products you place on the market, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up a printing or media reproduction business

Learning path for new printers and reproduction businesses — commercial, digital, screen and large-format printers, packaging and label printers, and reproduction of recorded media. Work out which rules apply, put a safe print works and your employment duties in place, manage your solvents, inks and emissions if you use solvent-based chemicals, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up a wood-products manufacturing business

Learning path for new wood-products manufacturers — sawmilling, veneers, plywood and panels, joinery, wooden packaging and cork goods. Work out which rules apply, put a safe plant and your wood-dust controls in place, meet the product-market rules, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up an other-manufacturing business

Learning path for new makers in Division 32 — jewellery, instruments, sports goods, toys, medical and dental devices and other goods. Work out which rules apply, put a safe workshop in place, meet the product-conformity regime for what you make, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up as a chemical manufacturer

Learning path for new chemical and chemical-products manufacturers. Work out which regimes apply to your products and site, get your substances and products correctly registered, classified and labelled for the GB market, put the major-hazard, environmental and explosives controls in place, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up as a textiles, clothing or leather manufacturer

Learning path for new textile, clothing and leather or footwear manufacturers. Get your products correctly labelled and safe to place on the GB market, set up environmental permits and effluent controls if you dye, finish or tan, check restricted and protected materials under UK REACH and CITES, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up as a vehicle or transport equipment manufacturer

Learning path for new vehicle and transport-equipment manufacturers and importers. Work out which approval regime applies to your product, get it type-approved and placed on the GB market, set up your ongoing end-of-life and restricted-substance duties, and verify everything with a compliance checklist.

Set up as an electronics or electrical equipment manufacturer

Learning path for new electronics and electrical equipment manufacturers and importers placing products on the GB and UK market. Work out which conformity regimes apply, get your products UKCA marked, set up your ongoing producer-responsibility duties for WEEE and batteries, and verify you have covered everything.

Do I need an environmental permit?

Quick assessment of whether your business activities require an environmental permit from the Environment Agency or local council.

Meet environmental compliance requirements

Navigate your environmental obligations including waste duty of care, pollution prevention, packaging responsibilities, and energy reporting

Export controlled goods and dual-use items

Compliance-critical guidance for exporting military items, dual-use technology, or goods subject to sanctions - with penalties up to 10 years imprisonment

Environmental compliance for manufacturers

A comprehensive introduction to environmental compliance for manufacturing businesses. Covers permits, air emissions, water discharge, waste management, and packaging obligations.

Start selling products on the UK market

A comprehensive introduction to UK product safety compliance for businesses placing products on the GB market. Covers the legal framework (CPA 1987, GPSR 2005, PRMA 2025), supply chain responsibilities, risk assessment, UKCA and CE marking, online marketplace duties, and a compliance checklist. Designed for importers, new manufacturers, and online marketplace sellers with no prior knowledge of product safety law.

Water Framework Directive compliance for businesses

Complete compliance pathway for businesses whose activities may affect water body status — from understanding the WFD framework through identifying which licences, permits, or consents you need, to applying, monitoring, and reporting. Covers England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Packaging producer compliance journey

Understand the overlapping environmental obligations for businesses that handle packaging. Covers Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), and Simpler Recycling requirements, and explains how they interact.

Product compliance checklist for GB market

Quick checklist to verify your products meet GB market requirements for conformity marking, safety assessment, documentation, and traceability before placing goods on the market.

Product compliance for manufacturers

Learn how to ensure your products meet UK safety and marking requirements before placing them on the market

UK REACH compliance checklist

Quick check of your UK REACH registration and notification status. Covers manufacturer and importer registration, downstream user obligations, SVHC duties, Safety Data Sheets, and approaching tonnage band deadlines.

Managing business waste and duty of care compliance

Navigate your legal obligations for business waste - duty of care, waste carriers, transfer notes, recycling separation, and digital waste tracking

Product safety quick compliance check

Rapid product safety self-assessment: verify safety obligations, marking, documentation, traceability, and recall readiness for products on the UK market.

Respond to a product safety incident

Emergency guidance when you discover an unsafe product. Stop supply immediately, notify Trading Standards and OPSS, manage the recall, and understand your legal exposure under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

Responding to environmental enforcement

What to do if you receive an enforcement notice or warning letter from an environmental regulator. Covers types of enforcement action, immediate steps, appeal rights, and demonstrating improvement.

Obtaining an environmental permit for regulated activities

Determine if you need an environmental permit, navigate the application process, and understand permit conditions for pollution control

Placing a medical device on the GB market

Selling medical devices in both GB and Northern Ireland

Medical device compliance quick check

Responding to a medical device safety incident