Topic

Compliance & Legal

Regulatory compliance, legal requirements, and governance

Health & Safety

Fire safety requirements for high-rise residential buildings

Your legal duties under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 if you manage a high-rise residential building (18 metres or higher, or 7+ storeys) in England. Covers secure information boxes, floor plans, wayfinding signage, fire door inspections, and resident information requirements.

Fire safety duties for landlords of residential properties

Your legal duties as a landlord to protect tenants from fire. Covers smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, HMO fire safety requirements, fire risk assessments for blocks of flats, and furniture fire safety regulations.

Set up and run a safe mining support service

Mining support services — drilling, well services, site preparation, pumping and draining — handle hazardous substances, flammable hydrocarbons and heavy equipment. This is the universal spine: it takes you through your core workplace health and safety duties, COSHH and DSEAR controls, work equipment safety, manual handling, fire safety, RIDDOR reporting, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection.

Set up and run a safe petroleum extraction operation

Petroleum extraction — crude oil and natural gas — handles large inventories of flammable and toxic hydrocarbons under pressure. This is the universal spine: it takes you through your core workplace health and safety duties, COSHH controls for hydrogen sulphide, benzene, mercury and NORM, DSEAR controls for explosive atmospheres, work equipment safety, manual handling, fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection.

Set up and run a safe quarry or mine

Operating a quarry or mine — stone, sand, gravel, clay, salt, peat or chemical minerals — is high-hazard work. This is the universal spine: it takes you through your core workplace health and safety duties, the Quarries Regulations 1999 quarry-safety regime, control of respirable crystalline silica and dust under COSHH, work equipment safety, manual handling, fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection.

Maintain fire safety equipment

How to maintain fire extinguishers, fire alarms, emergency lighting, and fire doors to comply with the law. Includes testing schedules, servicing requirements, and record-keeping duties for responsible persons.

Fire door inspections and building safety duties

Your legal duties for fire door inspections and building safety under the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. Covers which buildings are affected, inspection frequencies, external wall assessments, and resident information requirements.

Get your aviation and spaceflight licences and certificates

Air transport is one of the most heavily licensed sectors in the UK. This guide takes you through operating licences, air operator certificates, airworthiness and crew licensing, ATOL protection, passenger rights, dangerous goods by air, and — if you conduct spaceflight — operator licences, spaceport licences and third-party liability insurance. The Civil Aviation Authority regulates all of it UK-wide.

Meet your veterinary practice regulatory duties

If your practice is RCVS-registered, supplies veterinary medicines, handles controlled drugs, disposes of clinical waste or uses X-ray equipment, you carry specific regulatory duties on top of the universal workplace foundation. This guide covers each regime and what you need to do.

Comply with fire safety law as the responsible person

Your legal duties as a responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Covers fire risk assessments, fire safety measures, staff training, and what happens if you do not comply.

Health and safety requirements by business size

How H&S obligations scale as your business grows. Covers risk assessment, written policy, first aid, RIDDOR reporting, training, consultation, enforcement, and display requirements, with thresholds at 5, 50 and 250 employees.

Set up and run a safe coal mining operation

Every coal or lignite mining operation must meet universal workplace duties before it tackles the sector-specific mining safety, licensing and environmental regimes. This guide covers the eight foundational obligations — health and safety, COSHH, work equipment, manual handling, fire, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection.

Comply with COSHH regulations for hazardous substances

How to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. Step-by-step guide to COSHH assessment, the hierarchy of controls, Workplace Exposure Limits, health surveillance requirements and record keeping.

Comply with PPE regulations

How to meet your legal duties under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended 2022). Covers employer duties, the 2022 amendments for limb (b) workers, suitability assessment, and the PPE hierarchy.

Fire safety duties for Scottish businesses

Your fire safety obligations as a duty holder under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. Covers the shared responsibility model, fire risk assessments, SFRS enforcement powers, and penalties. Scotland has different fire safety law from England and Wales.

Meet your workplace health and safety legal obligations

Understanding your fundamental health and safety duties under UK law. Covers key legislation including HASAWA 1974, risk assessment requirements, and practical compliance steps for small business employers.

Advertising and market research compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your advertising or market research business — from workplace health and safety through to broadcast advertising standards, electronic marketing consent, misleading marketing and unfair commercial practices.

Veterinary practice compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your veterinary practice — from workplace health and safety through to RCVS registration, veterinary medicines, clinical waste and controlled drugs.

Set up and run a safe warehousing and storage operation

Whatever you store and however you handle it — pallets in a distribution centre, chilled and frozen goods in a cold store, or hazardous goods in a bonded warehouse — you must manage the same workplace health and safety, fire, lifting and work equipment, manual handling, dangerous-substance, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you begin operating. This guide covers the duties every warehousing and transport-support business shares; your customs and mode-specific regime is covered in the guide for your kind of operation.

Health and safety for small businesses

A simplified guide to health and safety compliance for businesses with fewer than 5 employees. Covers what you must do, what you can skip, and free HSE tools to help you comply without spending a fortune.

Air transport: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your air transport business meets its obligations before you begin commercial operations. Work through the universal workplace and employment items every operator shares, then the aviation and spaceflight licensing items. If you answer no to any item, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Fire safety guide for residential building managers

A practical guide for day-to-day building managers on fire safety duties in residential buildings. Covers your role as a building manager, routine checks, fire door inspections, working with managing agents and residents, emergency procedures, and record keeping.

Meet your environmental permits, waste and construction duties for remediation

A remediation business must hold environmental permits for waste operations, register as a waste carrier, comply with the contaminated land regime, control asbestos, meet CDM construction duties, handle hazardous waste correctly and observe the waste duty of care. This guide takes you through each duty in turn.

Meet your sports, amusement and recreation regulatory duties

If you serve alcohol or host regulated entertainment, operate a sports ground, run a swimming pool, coach children, operate fairground rides, offer adventure activities to young people or run gaming machines, your business carries specific licensing, certification, safeguarding or safety duties on top of the universal workplace foundation. This guide covers each regime and what you need to do.

Coal mining compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your coal or lignite mining operation — from workplace health and safety through to coal-mining licences, mine and quarry safety, explosives and environmental permits.

Office and business support compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your office administrative, call centre, debt collection, credit reference or business support operation — from workplace health and safety through to FCA authorisation, Ofcom call centre rules and PECR electronic marketing.

Doing business in Northern Ireland: key differences from Great Britain

Comprehensive reference of the key regulatory divergences between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Covers employment law, equality legislation, planning, business rates, health and safety, product standards, alcohol licensing, fire safety, and the Windsor Framework dual regulatory regime.

External wall fire safety assessment - what you need to know

Your legal duties for assessing external wall fire safety in multi-occupied residential buildings. Covers Fire Safety Act 2021 requirements, when EWS1 surveys are needed, understanding EWS1 ratings, finding qualified fire engineers, and what to do if remediation is required.

Get the licences, permits and meet major-hazard duties for petroleum extraction

Petroleum extraction requires a petroleum production licence from the NSTA, site-specific permits and compliance with major-hazard controls. This guide covers the petroleum production licence, the offshore safety-case regime, COMAH for onshore establishments, environmental permits for onshore installations, OPRED offshore oil-pollution permits and upstream petroleum taxation.

Health surveillance at work

When health surveillance is legally required at work and how to set it up. Covers COSHH hazardous substances, noise, hand-arm vibration, lead, asbestos, ionising radiation, and compressed air. Explains employer duties, appointing occupational health providers, record retention (40 years), and acting on results.

Northern Ireland business compliance checklist

A quick compliance checklist for businesses operating in Northern Ireland. Covers NI-specific obligations including fair employment monitoring, HSENI registration, fire safety, business rates, and other requirements that differ from Great Britain.

Scientific research and development: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your scientific research and development business meets its obligations. Work through the universal workplace items every R&D business shares, then the conditional items that depend on the type of research you do. If you answer no to any item, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Set up and run a safe personal services business

Whatever personal service you provide — hairdressing, beauty treatments, dry cleaning, funeral services or pet care — you must manage the same workplace health and safety, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you open. This guide walks you through each one.

Set up and run a safe veterinary practice

Every veterinary practice — small-animal clinic, equine practice, farm-animal practice, referral hospital or emergency service — must meet the same workplace health and safety, COSHH, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you start treating animals. This guide walks you through each one.

Rental and leasing compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your rental and leasing business — from workplace health and safety through to FCA consumer hire authorisation, motor insurance, work equipment safety and consumer protection.

Travel and tour operator compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your travel agency or tour operator business — from workplace health and safety through to ATOL licensing, Package Travel Regulations and consumer protection.

Comply with work equipment safety regulations (PUWER)

How to meet your legal duties under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). Covers suitability, maintenance, inspection, guarding of dangerous parts, controls and emergency stops, training and information requirements. PUWER applies to all work equipment from hand tools to complex machinery.

Keep lone workers safe

How to protect employees who work alone or without close supervision. Covers risk assessment, control measures, communication systems, and what activities may be too dangerous for lone working. Includes sector-specific guidance for healthcare, social care, security, and delivery workers.

MHSWR 1999 compliance checklist

Audit-ready compliance checklist covering all key duties under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Use this to verify your compliance across risk assessment, competent persons, emergency procedures, information, training, and vulnerable worker protections.

Provide building information to your Fire and Rescue Service

How to meet your legal duty to provide building information to your Fire and Rescue Service if you are responsible for a high-rise residential building (18 metres or higher, or 7+ storeys) in England. Covers secure information boxes, floor plans, external wall information, and keeping records up to date.

Report a workplace injury, disease or dangerous occurrence under RIDDOR

How to comply with RIDDOR 2013 reporting requirements. Covers what incidents you must report to HSE, reporting deadlines (7-day and 10-day windows), who must report, and record-keeping obligations.

AI compliance checklist

Quick verification checklist covering all major AI compliance obligations. Use this checklist to confirm your business meets its data protection, equality, transparency, oversight, and record-keeping obligations when using AI systems.

Checklist for protecting new and expectant mothers

Compliance checklist for employers when an employee is pregnant, has recently given birth, or is breastfeeding. Covers the notification process, individual risk assessment, action hierarchy, night work, and rest facilities under MHSWR 1999 Regulations 16-18.

Identify the responsible person for fire safety in your building

How to determine who is legally responsible for fire safety under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Covers building owners, Resident Management Companies, managing agents, and multiple responsible person scenarios.

Employment agency business: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your employment agency or employment business meets its obligations. Work through the universal workplace and employment items every agency shares, then the sector-specific conduct, agency worker equal treatment and gangmasters licensing items. If you answer no to any item, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Meet your coal mining regulatory duties

Coal and lignite extraction in Great Britain requires a coal-mining operation licence, compliance with the mines or quarries safety regime depending on your working method, explosives authorisations if you blast, and environmental permits for waste and discharges. This guide covers every sector-specific regulatory duty.

Set up and run a safe employment agency

Employment agencies and employment businesses operate from office premises, interview candidates, manage assignments and process personal data at scale. Whatever type of employment activity you run, this is the universal spine. It takes you through your core workplace health and safety duties — including the office-based risks around display screen equipment and lone working — fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection.

Set up and run a safe repair services business

Repairing computers, phones, household appliances and personal goods — in your workshop and at the counter — carries electrical, manual-handling, soldering-fume and small-parts risks. Whatever you repair, this is the universal spine. It takes you through your core workplace health and safety duties, fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection.

Comply with electrical safety regulations

How to meet your legal duties under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Covers safe systems, competent persons, inspection requirements, and portable appliance testing for all workplaces.

Create fire safety communications for residents

How to meet your legal duty to provide fire safety information to residents under Regulation 9 of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. Includes what information you must provide, how to explain evacuation strategies, fire door messaging, accessibility considerations, and sample communication approaches.

Meet your scientific research regulatory duties

Scientific research carries conditional regulatory duties on top of the universal workplace spine. This guide takes you through the five duties that apply depending on the type of work you do: COSHH for hazardous substances, GMO contained-use notification, animal research licensing, human tissue storage licensing, and ionising radiation controls. Each section tells you whether it applies to your operation.

PPE compliance checklist

A yes/no checklist to verify your business meets all requirements under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended 2022). Covers risk assessment, selection, provision, fit testing, training, maintenance, and record keeping.

Respond to fire safety enforcement action

What to do if you receive an enforcement notice, prohibition notice, or alterations notice from the fire and rescue service. Includes your right to appeal and how to avoid penalties.

Set up and run a safe advertising or market research business

Every advertising or market research business — whether you run an advertising agency, a media buying house, a public relations consultancy, a market research firm or a direct marketing operation — must meet the same workplace health and safety, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you begin operating. This guide walks you through each one.

Set up and run a safe film, TV or music production business

Whatever you produce — films, television programmes, videos, sound recordings or music — you must manage the same workplace health and safety, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you begin operating. This guide walks you through each one.

Set up and run a safe gambling business

Whether you run a betting shop, casino, bingo hall, adult gaming centre or online gambling platform, you must manage the same workplace health and safety, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you open. This guide walks you through each one.

Set up and run a safe office or business support operation

Every office administrative, call centre, debt collection, credit reference and business support operation must meet the same workplace health and safety, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you begin operating. This guide walks you through each one.

Set up and run a safe rental or leasing business

Every rental and leasing business — whether you hire out cars, vans, trucks, plant and machinery, consumer goods or specialist equipment — must meet the same workplace health and safety, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you begin operating. This guide walks you through each one.

Set up and run a safe security operation

Whatever security or investigation service you provide — manned guarding, door supervision, close protection, CCTV operation, alarm installation or private investigation — you must manage the same workplace health and safety, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you begin operating. This guide walks you through each one.

Set up and run a safe sports, amusement and recreation business

Whatever sports, amusement or recreation business you operate — a gym, a swimming pool, a theme park, a fairground, an adventure centre or an amusement arcade — you must manage the same workplace health and safety, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you open. This guide walks you through each one.

Set up and run a safe telecommunications business

Every telecommunications operator — whether you run mobile networks, fixed-line infrastructure, broadband services, satellite systems or wholesale connectivity — must meet the same workplace health and safety, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you begin operating. This guide walks you through each one.

Set up and run a safe travel or tour operator business

Every travel agency, tour operator and reservation-service provider — whether you sell package holidays, flight-only arrangements, hotel bookings or bespoke itineraries — must meet the same workplace health and safety, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you begin operating. This guide walks you through each one.

Sports, amusement and recreation compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your sports, amusement or recreation business — from workplace health and safety through to activity-specific licences, certificates and permits.

Telecommunications compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your telecommunications business — from workplace health and safety through to Ofcom notification, spectrum licensing, security duties, lawful intercept and PECR.

How to conduct a fire risk assessment

A step-by-step guide to conducting a fire risk assessment for your business premises. Covers who is responsible, the legal requirements, the 5-step process, recording obligations, review frequency, and when to use a professional assessor.

Protect new and expectant mothers at work

Your legal duties under Regulations 16-18 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to assess risks and protect new and expectant mothers. Covers the notification trigger, risk assessment requirements, the action hierarchy for controlling risks, and night work provisions.

Set up and run a safe postal and courier operation

Every postal or courier operation must meet universal workplace duties before it tackles the activity-specific licensing and authorisation regimes. This guide covers the five foundational obligations — health and safety, fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection.

Set up and run a safe professional, scientific and technical business

Every professional, scientific or technical business must meet universal workplace duties before it tackles any activity-specific regulatory requirements. This guide covers the five foundational obligations — health and safety, fire safety, employers' liability insurance, equality and data protection.

Broadcasting business: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your broadcasting business meets its obligations. Work through the universal workplace and employment items every broadcasting operation shares, then the Ofcom licensing and content-standards items. If you answer no to any item, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Carry out a data protection impact assessment (DPIA)

How to carry out a data protection impact assessment under UK GDPR Article 35. Covers when a DPIA is legally required, the step-by-step process for completing one, what to do if you cannot mitigate high risks, and when to consult the ICO.

Comply with display screen equipment regulations

How to meet your legal duties under the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992. Covers workstation assessments, eye tests, breaks, and home working requirements for employers.

Manage work-related stress

How to assess and manage work-related stress using the HSE Management Standards approach. Covers the 6 standards, stress risk assessment, recognising signs of stress, employer interventions, and supporting employees returning after stress-related absence.

Provide a safe and healthy workplace environment

How to meet your legal duties under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. Covers temperature, ventilation, lighting, toilets, rest areas, and space requirements for employers.

Provide first aid at work

How to meet your legal duties under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. Covers needs assessment, first aider training, equipment requirements, and scaling provision for your workplace.

Establish emergency procedures for your workplace

Your legal duties under MHSWR 1999 Regulations 8-9 to establish procedures for serious and imminent danger. Covers emergency types beyond fire, nominating competent persons for evacuation, worker protection rights, and external service contacts.

Film, TV and music production compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your film, TV or music production business — from workplace health and safety through to child performance licensing, video classification, cinema licensing, copyright and music rights.

Which rental and leasing regulations apply to your business

Rental and leasing businesses — car hire, van and truck rental, plant and equipment hire, consumer-goods rental and leasing companies — share a workplace-safety foundation, then face sector-specific FCA consumer hire, motor insurance, work equipment safety and consumer protection duties that other businesses do not.

Choose a competent fire risk assessor

How to select a qualified professional to conduct your fire risk assessment, or decide if you can do it yourself. Includes what to look for, questions to ask, and warning signs to avoid.

Manage workplace risk assessments under MHSW 1999

Your legal duties for risk assessment under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Covers employer duties, the principles of prevention, competent person requirements, health surveillance, and when you must record findings in writing.

Your duties as an employer under health and safety law

Understanding your fundamental legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Covers employer duties to employees and others, written policy requirements, and what 'reasonably practicable' means in practice.

Fishing and aquaculture: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your fishing or aquaculture business meets its obligations. Work through the universal shore-based duties every operator shares, then the sections for sea fishing vessels and for aquaculture and freshwater fishing. If you answer no to any item, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Set up and run a safe land transport operation

Whatever you move and however you move it — goods by road, passengers by bus, coach or taxi, freight or passengers by rail, or products by pipeline — you must manage the same workplace health and safety, accident reporting, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you begin operating. This guide covers the duties every land transport business shares; your licensing and certification regime is covered in the guide for your kind of operation.

Set up and run a safe water transport operation

Whatever you operate and however you operate it — sea-going passenger or cargo ships, canal and river trip boats, ferries on categorised waters, or freight on inland waterways — you must manage the same workplace health and safety, accident reporting, insurance, equality and data protection duties before you begin operating. This guide covers the duties every water transport business shares; your registration, certification and licensing regime is covered in the guide for your kind of operation.

Meet fire safety requirements for your business premises

How to comply with fire safety law for your business premises. Covers who is the responsible person, conducting fire risk assessments, implementing fire safety measures, and avoiding enforcement action.

Meet your personal services regulatory duties

If you dry-clean with solvents, pierce skin, offer beauty or cosmetic procedures, or operate a spa pool or other water system, your business carries specific registration, permit or licensing duties on top of the universal workplace foundation. This guide covers each regime and what you need to do.

Recognise and report occupational diseases

How to recognise the signs of occupational diseases, understand your duty to report them under RIDDOR, and maintain occupational health records. Covers the most common work-related conditions and what triggers a report.

Postal and courier compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your postal or courier operation — from workplace health and safety through to goods vehicle operator licensing and Ofcom postal authorisation.

Professional, scientific and technical compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your professional, scientific or technical business — from workplace health and safety through to IPReg registration for patent and trade mark attorneys.

Work equipment inspection intervals and requirements

Quick-reference table of statutory inspection and examination intervals for work equipment. Covers PUWER inspections, LOLER thorough examinations, competent person requirements, and record retention.

Checklist for employing young persons safely

Compliance checklist for employers of workers under 18. Covers the specific risk assessment factors under MHSWR 1999 Regulation 19, prohibited work, parent notification, working hours, and night work restrictions.

Fire safety duties for Northern Ireland businesses

Your fire safety obligations as an appropriate person under the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Covers the fire risk assessment requirement, fire safety measures, NIFRS enforcement powers, and penalties. Northern Ireland has separate fire safety legislation from England, Wales, and Scotland.

Meet your worksite compliance duties for mining support

When you provide support services on an offshore installation, at a mine or at a quarry, you must comply with the site-specific safety regimes at the worksite. This guide covers the offshore safety-case and well-construction duties for petroleum support contractors and the Mines and Quarries Regulations duties for mining support contractors.

Metal ore mining: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your metal ore mining business meets its obligations. Work through the universal mine-operation items every mine shares, then the permits and consents for your specific operation. If you answer no to any item that applies to you, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Quarrying and mining: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your quarrying or mining business meets its obligations. Work through the universal quarry-operation items every site shares, then the permits and consents for your specific operation. If you answer no to any item that applies to you, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Repair services: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your repair services business meets its obligations. Work through the universal workplace and employment items every business shares, then only the f-gas and WEEE items if they apply to the kind of equipment you repair. If you answer no to any item that applies to you, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

HSE enforcement: improvement notices, prohibition notices and prosecution

What happens when HSE finds health and safety breaches. Covers inspector powers, improvement notices, prohibition notices, appeals, penalties and Fee for Intervention.

Comply with manual handling regulations

How to meet your legal duties under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. Covers risk assessment, the TILE framework, and reducing injury risks for employers in all sectors.

Which travel agency and tour operator regulations apply to your business

Travel agencies, tour operators, package-holiday organisers and reservation-service providers share a workplace-safety foundation, then face sector-specific ATOL licensing, Package Travel Regulations and consumer protection duties that other businesses do not.

Personal services compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your personal services business — from workplace health and safety through to activity-specific registrations, permits and licences.

Appoint a competent person for health and safety

Your legal duty to appoint a competent person to help with health and safety under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Explains what competence means, when you can do it yourself, and when you need external help.

Comply with noise at work regulations

How to meet your legal duties under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Covers exposure action values, noise assessment, hearing protection, and health surveillance requirements.

Health and safety training requirements under MHSWR

Your legal duty under MHSWR 1999 Regulation 13 to provide adequate health and safety training. Covers the five training triggers, capabilities assessment, refresher training requirements, and the duty to provide training during working hours.

Mining support service: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your mining support service business meets its obligations. Work through the universal workplace items every support contractor shares, then the worksite compliance duties that apply where you work. If you answer no to any item that applies to you, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Petroleum extraction: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your petroleum extraction business meets its obligations. Work through the universal workplace items, then the licensing, permits, major-hazard duties and upstream taxation. If you answer no to any item that applies to you, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Remediation: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your remediation or waste management business meets its obligations. Work through the workplace items every business shares, then the environmental, waste and construction duties. If you answer no to any item that applies to you, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Waste management: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your waste management business meets its obligations before you begin operating. Work through the universal workplace items every operator shares, then the activity-specific environmental, registration and tax duties. If you answer no to any item, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Water supply: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your water collection, treatment and supply business meets its obligations. Work through the workplace items every business shares, then the water industry regulatory duties. If you answer no to any item that applies to you, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Manage legionella risk in water systems

How to identify and control legionella risk in workplace water systems. Covers your duties under ACOP L8, appointing a competent person, written control schemes, temperature monitoring, and cooling tower registration.

Understanding HSENI: how workplace safety regulation works in Northern Ireland

How workplace health and safety regulation operates in Northern Ireland, where HSENI enforces separate legislation under the devolution settlement. Explains the relationship between HSENI and the 11 district councils, how NI legislation differs from the GB framework, and what this means for businesses operating across the UK.

Which regulator covers your AI system

Decision-tree reference guide mapping AI use cases to the UK regulators responsible for oversight. Covers the ICO, FCA, Ofcom, CMA, MHRA, HSE, and EHRC, with scenario-based guidance on which regulators apply to your AI system and the penalties each can impose.

Gambling and betting compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your gambling or betting business — from workplace health and safety through to Gambling Commission licensing, premises licences, gambling duties and anti-money-laundering supervision.

Which office and business support regulations apply to your business

Office administrative, call centre, debt collection, credit reference and other business support activities share a workplace-safety foundation, then face sector-specific FCA authorisation, debt collection conduct, call centre outbound marketing and electronic marketing duties that other businesses do not.

Carry out a noise risk assessment

Step-by-step guide to carrying out a noise risk assessment under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Covers when an assessment is needed, identifying noise sources, estimating exposure, comparing against action values, and recording your findings.

Health and safety duties for temporary and agency workers

Your legal duties under MHSWR 1999 Regulation 15 when using temporary or agency workers. Covers the split of responsibilities between user employer and agency, information exchange requirements, and PPE duties.

Report a workplace accident or incident to HSENI (RIDDOR NI)

How to report workplace accidents, injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences to HSENI under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997. Covers the critical difference in over-incapacitation thresholds between NI and GB.

Sewerage: compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm your sewerage business meets its obligations. Work through the workplace items every business shares, then the sewerage regulatory duties. If you answer no to any item that applies to you, follow the linked guide before you proceed.

Workplace health and safety in Northern Ireland: HSENI obligations

How workplace health and safety is regulated in Northern Ireland, where HSENI (not HSE) enforces the law under separate legislation. Covers the key differences between NI and GB health and safety frameworks, HSENI enforcement powers and priorities, the role of district councils, and what NI-specific regulations mean for your business.

Classify and label chemicals for the GB market

How to classify, label and package hazardous chemicals for sale in Great Britain under the GB CLP Regulation. Covers classification criteria, labelling requirements, Safety Data Sheets, and poison centre notification for chemical suppliers.

Conducting risk assessments

How to identify hazards, evaluate risks, and implement controls using the 5-step risk assessment process.

Farm safety in Northern Ireland: HSENI requirements

HSENI's farm safety requirements for Northern Ireland, which has the highest agricultural fatality rate in the UK. Covers the main risks (falls, livestock, machinery, slurry), practical safety steps, the Farm Safety Partnership, and what HSENI expects from farm businesses.

Health and safety basics

Essential health and safety requirements for all employers.

Health and safety in shared workplaces

Your legal duties under MHSWR 1999 Regulations 11-12 when sharing a workplace with other employers. Covers cooperation, coordination, information sharing, and host employer duties to visiting workers.

Principles of prevention and hierarchy of controls

The legal basis for the hierarchy of controls in UK health and safety law. Explains the 9 general principles of prevention from Schedule 1 of MHSWR 1999 and the practical ERICPD framework for controlling workplace risks.

Provide health and safety information to employees

Your legal duty under MHSWR 1999 Regulation 10 to provide comprehensible and relevant health and safety information to employees, including risk assessment findings, emergency procedures, and the H&S Law poster requirement.

Which advertising and market research regulations apply to your business

Advertising agencies, media buyers, market research firms, public relations consultancies and direct marketing businesses share a workplace-safety foundation, then face sector-specific duties on broadcast advertising standards, electronic marketing consent, misleading marketing and unfair commercial practices that other businesses do not.

Security and investigation compliance checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you have met every regulatory obligation that applies to your security or investigation business — from workplace health and safety through to SIA licensing, installer certification and data protection.

Construction safety in Northern Ireland: CDM (NI) 2016

How the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 apply to construction projects in NI. Covers duty holder roles, F10 notification to HSENI, notification thresholds, and the key documents you must produce.

Manage asbestos in non-domestic buildings

Legal duties for managing asbestos in commercial premises, including survey requirements, licensing thresholds, and the duty to manage under CAR 2012.

COSHH - hazardous substances

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health - assessing and controlling workplace chemical and biological hazards.

Respond to HSENI enforcement action

What to do when the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) issues an improvement notice, prohibition notice, or prosecutes your business. Covers your rights of appeal under the Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978, practical steps, timescales, and how HSENI enforcement differs from HSE in Great Britain.

Register chemicals under UK REACH

How to register chemical substances under UK REACH if you manufacture or import chemicals into Great Britain. Covers registration requirements, tonnage bands, deadlines, fees, and your obligations as a registrant.

Which petroleum extraction regulations apply to your business

Petroleum extraction businesses — crude oil and natural gas, onshore and offshore — operate under a petroleum production licence, a process-safety stack and upstream petroleum taxation. Start here to find which guides apply to you.

Which postal and courier rules apply to you

If you operate or plan to operate a postal or courier business in Great Britain, you must comply with workplace health and safety, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties that bind every employer — plus activity-specific requirements for goods vehicle licensing and postal operator authorisation. This guide introduces the rules and routes you to the detail.

Which air transport regulations apply to your business

Running an air transport business — passenger airline, cargo carrier or spaceflight operator — carries a heavy, sector-specific licensing load on top of the usual workplace duties: operating licences, air operator certificates, airworthiness, crew licensing, ATOL protection, passenger rights, dangerous goods and spaceflight licences.

Which broadcasting regulations apply to your business

Broadcasters — television, radio, community radio, on-demand programme services and transmission providers — carry workplace-safety duties as employers and face a separate layer of Ofcom licensing and content-standards obligations specific to broadcasting.

Which employment agency regulations apply to your business

Employment agencies and employment businesses — whether you find permanent placements, supply temporary workers, or provide HR services — carry workplace-safety duties as employers and face a separate layer of sector-specific regulation covering conduct standards, agency worker equal treatment and, if you supply workers to agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering or associated food processing, gangmasters licensing.

Which fishing and aquaculture regulations apply to your business

Every fishing and aquaculture business shares the same workplace health and safety foundation for shore-based operations, then the rules diverge by whether you operate a sea fishing vessel, run an aquaculture production business, or fish freshwater commercially.

Which gambling and betting regulations apply to your business

Gambling and betting businesses — bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls, adult gaming centres, online gambling operators and lottery managers — share a workplace-safety foundation, then face a heavily licensed regulatory framework under the Gambling Act 2005 and gambling duties enforced by HMRC.

Which security and investigation rules apply to your business

Security and investigation businesses — manned guarding, door supervision, close protection, CVIT, CCTV operators, keyholding, alarm response, alarm and CCTV installers, and private investigators — share the same workplace-safety foundation, then the rules diverge by whether your activity is licensable under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 or subject to industry certification.

Which telecommunications regulations apply to your business

Telecommunications operators — mobile network operators, fixed-line providers, internet service providers, satellite operators, MVNOs and wholesale connectivity providers — share a workplace-safety foundation, then face sector-specific Ofcom notification, spectrum licensing, security and lawful-intercept duties that other businesses do not.

Which veterinary regulations apply to your practice

Veterinary practices — small-animal clinics, equine practices, farm-animal practices, referral hospitals and emergency services — share a workplace-safety foundation, then face profession-specific registration, medicines, waste and controlled-drugs duties that other businesses do not.

Which coal mining rules apply to you

If you operate or plan to operate a coal or lignite extraction site in Great Britain, you must comply with mining-specific licensing, safety and environmental regimes on top of the universal workplace duties that bind every employer. This guide introduces the rules and routes you to the detail.

Which metal ore mining regulations apply to your business

Metal ore mining — iron, copper, tin, lead, zinc, tungsten, uranium and thorium — carries mine-safety, explosives, environmental-permit and planning obligations on top of the general workplace duties every employer shares. Start here to find which guides apply to you.

Which mining support service regulations apply to your business

Mining support service businesses — drilling, well services, site preparation, pumping and draining for mining and petroleum operators — carry their own health and safety duties on top of the operator's. Start here to find which guides apply to you.

Which professional, scientific and technical rules apply to you

If you operate or plan to operate a professional, scientific or technical business in the UK — specialised design, photography, translation, interpretation or other professional services — you must comply with workplace health and safety, fire safety, insurance, equality and data protection duties that bind every employer. Patent and trade mark attorneys face additional registration requirements. This guide introduces the rules and routes you to the detail.

Which quarrying and mining regulations apply to your business

Quarrying and mining stone, sand, gravel, clay, salt, peat and chemical minerals carries the Quarries Regulations 1999 quarry-safety regime, planning permission, environmental permits and — where you blast — explosives licensing, on top of the general workplace duties every employer shares. Start here to find which guides apply to you.

Which film, TV and music production regulations apply to your business

Film and TV production companies, video producers, sound recording studios, music publishers and cinema exhibitors share the same workplace-safety foundation, then the rules diverge by what you do — whether you work with child performers, supply classified video works, exhibit films to the public, create copyright-protected content or license music rights.

Which personal services regulations apply to your business

Personal services businesses — hairdressers, beauty salons, tattooists, dry cleaners, spas, funeral directors and pet groomers — share the same workplace-safety foundation, then the rules diverge by what you do and whether your activity triggers a registration, permit or licence.

Which remediation and waste management rules apply to you

If you carry out land remediation, decontamination or other waste management services you must meet workplace safety duties and comply with the environmental, waste and construction regulations that govern your work. Use this page to find which guides apply to your business.

Which repair services regulations apply to your business

Repairing computers, phones and household goods shares a workplace-safety foundation, then adds specific duties if you handle refrigerants when repairing fridges or air-conditioning equipment, or if you generate waste electrical and electronic equipment from your repairs.

Which scientific research and development regulations apply to your business

Scientific research businesses share universal workplace duties and then carry conditional duties that depend on the type of work you do — from genetically modified organisms and animal research to human tissue and ionising radiation. Most social-science and humanities R&D triggers only the universals.

Which sewerage rules apply to you

If you operate a sewerage undertaking, carry out sewage treatment, empty cesspools and septic tanks, or maintain drains and sewers, you must meet workplace safety duties and the regulatory requirements for your activities. Use this page to find which guides apply to your business.

Which sports, amusement and recreation regulations apply to your business

Sports clubs, gyms, swimming pools, theme parks, fairgrounds, adventure activity providers and amusement arcades share the same workplace safety foundation, then the rules diverge by what you operate and whether your activity triggers a licence, certificate or permit.

Which waste management regulations apply to your business

Every waste management business shares the same workplace-safety foundation, but the rules then diverge by what you do — whether you collect and transport waste, operate a treatment or disposal facility, run a materials recovery operation, or dismantle end-of-life vehicles. Work out which path applies to you before you go any further.

Which water supply rules apply to you

If you collect, treat or supply water you must meet workplace safety duties, hold an appointment or licence as a water undertaker, comply with drinking water quality standards and hold the environmental permits your operations need. Use this page to find which guides apply to your business.

Data Protection

Data protection for businesses

How to comply with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Covers ICO registration, lawful bases for processing, data subject rights, breach notification requirements, and penalties for non-compliance.

Respond to data subject access requests (DSARs)

How to handle data subject access requests under UK GDPR. Covers the one-month response deadline, identity verification, exemptions that allow redaction, extensions for complex requests, fee rules, and the new 'stop the clock' provision from the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

Data Use and Access Act 2025: what changed for businesses

What the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 means for UK businesses. Explains the eight key reforms now in force, including recognised legitimate interests, the Senior Responsible Individual, automated decision-making changes, cookie consent exemptions, and the 35-fold increase in PECR penalties.

Data protection annual compliance checklist

Annual checklist for verifying your data protection compliance. Covers ICO fee renewal, privacy notices, records of processing, breach procedures, staff training, DPIAs, retention schedules, and international transfers.

Respond to a ransomware attack

Emergency response guide for ransomware attacks. Covers immediate containment, recovery options, reporting requirements, and ransom payment decisions. For businesses currently under attack or preparing for potential incidents.

Report a cyber incident

Emergency response guide for reporting cyber attacks and data breaches. Covers who to contact (Report Fraud, ICO, NCSC, Police Scotland), what information to provide, legal deadlines, and what happens after you report.

Meet your office and business support regulatory duties

If you collect debts, administer credit or provide credit references you must hold FCA authorisation. If you run an outbound call centre you must follow the Ofcom rules on silent and abandoned calls. If you send electronic marketing you must comply with PECR. This guide covers each regime and what you need to do.

Cookie consent: comply with PECR requirements

How to comply with cookie consent rules under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR). Covers consent banners, strictly necessary exemptions, analytics cookies, and changes under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

UK AI regulation: how it works

Comprehensive overview of UK AI regulation. The UK has no single AI law. Instead, existing sector regulators apply five cross-cutting principles to AI systems within their remit. This guide explains how the framework works, which regulators are involved, and what is coming next.

Using AI in recruitment and HR

Compliance requirements when using AI for recruitment, screening, and HR decisions. Covers equality law risks, data protection obligations, bias testing, automated decision-making safeguards, and practical steps for lawful deployment.

International data transfers: UK GDPR requirements

How to legally transfer personal data outside the UK under UK GDPR. Covers adequacy decisions, Standard Contractual Clauses, the UK International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA), exemptions, and Transfer Risk Assessments.

Assess your AI compliance obligations

Step-by-step guide to assessing what AI compliance obligations apply to your business. Covers inventorying AI systems, identifying personal data processing, mapping to regulators, conducting DPIAs, checking equality impacts, and documenting governance arrangements.

Write a privacy notice that meets UK GDPR requirements

How to write a privacy notice that complies with UK GDPR. Covers required content, plain language requirements, when to provide it, and how to use layered notices for complex processing.

Register with the ICO and pay the data protection fee

How to register with the Information Commissioner's Office and pay the annual data protection fee. Covers who must register, the three-tier fee structure, the online registration process, and annual renewal obligations.

Responding to data breaches: legal requirements

What to do when you discover a personal data breach. Covers the 72-hour ICO notification rule, when you must notify affected individuals, and how to document and manage a breach to meet your legal obligations.

Create a data retention policy

How to write and implement a data retention policy that satisfies the UK GDPR storage limitation principle. Covers what to include, how to build a retention schedule, secure disposal procedures, and how to demonstrate accountability to the ICO.

Set up an AI governance framework

How to establish accountability structures, risk processes, and oversight for AI systems in your business. Covers accountability and roles, transparency, fairness and bias testing, record-keeping, and applying the UK's five AI regulatory principles.

Write a GDPR-compliant privacy notice

How to write and maintain a privacy notice that meets UK GDPR requirements. Covers mandatory content under Articles 13 and 14, a step-by-step writing process, layered notices for complex processing, and common mistakes that lead to enforcement action.

Handle subject access requests (SARs)

How to recognise, process, and respond to subject access requests under UK GDPR. Covers the one-month response deadline, identity verification, searching for data, reviewing exemptions, handling employee SARs, fee rules, and the penalty regime for non-compliance.

AI transparency and explainability obligations

What transparency and explainability mean for AI systems and how to meet the obligations. Covers UK GDPR requirements for automated decision-making, ICO expectations, and practical approaches to making AI decisions understandable to the people they affect.

Company Compliance

Company rescue and insolvency options

Comprehensive guide to insolvency procedures for UK limited companies facing financial distress. Covers rescue options (CVA, administration), solvent closure (MVL), and insolvent liquidation (CVL, compulsory winding up). Includes directors' duties, personal liability risks, and when to seek professional advice.

Keep the right employment records

Employer record-keeping duties in one place. What employer records you must keep for pay, right-to-work checks, working time, PAYE, pensions and statutory pay, and how long to keep each type.

Meet your water industry regulatory duties

A water supply business in the UK must hold an appointment or licence as a water undertaker, meet drinking water quality standards, comply with the water fittings regulations, register and inspect any large raised reservoir, hold an abstraction licence for raw-water collection and hold environmental permits for discharges. This guide takes you through each regulatory duty in turn.

Meet your waste management regulatory duties

Waste collection, treatment, disposal and materials recovery carry activity-specific regulatory duties beyond the universal workplace spine. This guide covers waste carrier, broker and dealer registration, the section 34 duty of care, environmental permits for waste treatment and disposal facilities and for recovery operations, authorised treatment facility requirements for end-of-life vehicles, hazardous waste consignment controls, and landfill tax.

Get your broadcasting licences and meet Ofcom duties

If you provide a television, radio or on-demand programme service, or operate transmission equipment, you need the right Ofcom licence or notification and must comply with the Broadcasting Code. This guide takes you through each licence type, the content-standards framework, and the PECR privacy rules that apply to your audience engagement and marketing.

Persons with Significant Control (PSC) register requirements

Your legal duties to identify, record, and report Persons with Significant Control to Companies House. Covers the 25% ownership thresholds, notification deadlines, identity verification, and penalties for non-compliance.

Meet your rental and leasing regulatory duties

If you hire goods to consumers, rent out vehicles, hire out plant or machinery, or sell hire services to the public, you face sector-specific FCA consumer hire, motor insurance, work equipment safety and consumer protection duties on top of the universal workplace foundation. This guide covers each regime and what you need to do.

Get the permits and consents for quarrying and mining

Before you open, extend or resume a quarry or mine you need minerals planning permission, and your operation may need environmental permits for discharges and mineral processing, an explosives licence for blasting, COMAH controls for chemical minerals, a habitats assessment for peat extraction, and — for underground rock-salt — the Mines Regulations 2014. This guide takes you through each consent in turn.

Meet your telecommunications regulatory duties

If you provide a public electronic communications network or service, you must notify Ofcom, comply with the General Conditions, hold the right spectrum licences, meet tiered security duties, maintain lawful-intercept capability and comply with PECR. This guide covers each regime and what you need to do.

Meet your travel and tour operator regulatory duties

If you sell flight-inclusive packages or flight-only arrangements you must hold an ATOL from the CAA. If you organise or retail packages you must comply with the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. All travel businesses must follow consumer protection rules. This guide covers each regime and what you need to do.

Your duties as a company director

The seven general duties every company director must follow under the Companies Act 2006, with guidance on stakeholder considerations, filing deadlines, conflicts of interest, and disqualification risks.

AI regulation timeline and key dates

Quick reference for all key AI regulation dates and upcoming milestones. Covers the EU AI Act implementation timeline, UK regulatory developments, copyright consultations, and penalty commencement dates that affect businesses operating in or trading with the UK and EU.

Meet your sewerage regulatory duties

A sewerage business must hold an appointment as a sewerage undertaker (or be exempt), hold environmental permits for its discharges, meet urban waste water treatment standards and comply with sewage sludge controls when spreading to agricultural land. This guide takes you through each regulatory duty in turn.

Meet your advertising and market research regulatory duties

If you create, place or distribute advertising, or run electronic marketing campaigns, you must comply with broadcast advertising standards, electronic marketing consent rules, and the statutory prohibitions on misleading B2B marketing and unfair commercial practices directed at consumers. This guide covers each regime and what you need to do.

Submitting VAT returns

How to calculate VAT, choose an accounting scheme, submit returns through Making Tax Digital, pay on time, correct errors, claim bad debt relief, and understand the penalty regime for late submission and late payment.

File your company accounts with Companies House

How to prepare and file annual accounts for your limited company, including filing deadlines, size thresholds for simplified accounts, audit exemption rules, and late filing penalties under the Companies Act 2006.

Get the permits and consents for metal ore mining

Before you open, extend or resume a metal ore mine you need planning permission, environmental permits for mine-water discharge and extractive waste, and — where blasting is used — an explosives licence. Uranium and thorium ore mining additionally needs a radioactive-substances environmental permit. This guide takes you through each consent in turn.

Business regulations: Scotland vs England differences

Key regulatory differences for businesses operating in both Scotland and England, covering licensing, planning, rates, employment, and tax.

Meet your gambling licensing and regulatory duties

Providing gambling facilities in Great Britain requires a Gambling Commission operating licence, personal licences for key staff, and — if you operate physical premises — a premises licence from the local council. You must also register for and pay gambling duties to HMRC, and casinos must comply with anti-money-laundering supervision. This guide covers every sector-specific licensing and regulatory duty.

Maintain your import records

What import records you must keep, how long to keep them, and how to store them to meet HMRC requirements.

Managing export business risk and corruption

UK Bribery Act compliance, due diligence on overseas buyers, political risk assessment, and IP protection abroad.

EU AI Act: what UK businesses need to know

Comprehensive guide to how the EU AI Act affects UK businesses placing AI systems on the EU market or serving EU users. Covers the four risk tiers, implementation timeline, high-risk obligations, general-purpose AI rules, penalties, and how EU requirements interact with UK domestic regulation.

AI and copyright: what businesses need to know

The current UK legal position on AI and copyright, including training data risks, AI-generated content ownership, and pending government reforms.

Set up a limited company

Steps to incorporate and register your limited company.

Creditor priority in company insolvency

The order in which creditors are paid when a company goes into liquidation or administration. Covers fixed and floating charges, preferential debts, the prescribed part, and what unsecured creditors can expect.

Meet your f-gas and WEEE repair duties

If you repair refrigeration or air-conditioning equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases, you and your engineers need f-gas certification, with leak-checking and record-keeping obligations. If your repairs generate waste electrical and electronic equipment, you must handle, store and dispose of it through approved treatment facilities. This guide takes you through both regimes.

Meet your security and investigation regulatory duties

If you provide manned guarding, door supervision, close protection, cash-and-valuables-in-transit, CCTV operation, keyholding, alarm response, alarm or CCTV installation, or private investigation, your business carries specific licensing, certification and regulatory duties on top of the universal workplace foundation. This guide covers each regime and what you need to do.

Welsh language: what businesses need to know

What Welsh Language Standards mean for private businesses in Wales, including when they apply, voluntary adoption through the Cynnig Cymraeg scheme, and requirements when contracting with the public sector.

Prepare for EU AI Act high-risk obligations

Practical steps to prepare for EU AI Act high-risk AI system obligations before the 2 August 2026 deadline. Covers classification, conformity assessment, technical documentation, quality management, and post-market monitoring for UK businesses deploying high-risk AI in the EU.

Avoid wrongful trading as a company director

How directors can avoid personal liability for wrongful trading under section 214 of the Insolvency Act 1986. Covers the legal test, the "every step" defence, and what to do when your company faces insolvency.

Welsh language requirements for public sector contractors

What you need to do when public sector contracts in Wales include Welsh language requirements, covering preparation, service delivery standards, and managing costs.

Meet your professional, scientific and technical regulatory duties

If you practise as a patent attorney or registered trade mark attorney, you must be registered with the Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg). This guide explains the registration requirement and ongoing professional obligations. This duty does not apply to other professional, scientific or technical businesses.

Battery producer responsibility

How to comply with the Batteries and Accumulators Regulations as a battery producer. Covers who counts as a producer, registration with the Environment Agency, joining a Battery Compliance Scheme, collection targets, labelling requirements, take-back obligations for portable, industrial, and automotive batteries, and annual reporting.

Gender pay gap reporting

Mandatory gender pay gap reporting for large employers and transparency obligations.

Meet your postal and courier regulatory duties

Postal and courier operators in Great Britain may need a goods vehicle operator's licence if they use vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, and must understand the Ofcom postal authorisation framework. This guide covers both activity-specific regulatory duties.

WEEE producer responsibility compliance

How to comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations as a producer. Covers who counts as a WEEE producer, registration with the Environment Agency, joining a Producer Compliance Scheme, reporting obligations, take-back requirements, WEEE categories, and the crossed-out wheelie bin marking.

AI bias and equality law

How the Equality Act 2010 applies to AI systems and what businesses must do to prevent algorithmic discrimination. Covers indirect discrimination through proxy characteristics, bias testing approaches, and practical examples across recruitment, pricing, and credit scoring.

Corporate Governance

Whistleblowing: protected disclosures and employer duties

How to handle whistleblowing disclosures as an employer. Covers what qualifies as a protected disclosure, your legal obligations, protection from detriment and dismissal, and how to create an effective whistleblowing policy.

Equality and menopause action plans for large employers

Requirements for mandatory gender pay gap action plans and menopause support action plans for employers with 250 or more employees, introduced by the Employment Rights Act 2025. Expected to commence in 2027.

Bribery Act 2010: compliance for businesses

How to prevent bribery in your business and comply with the Bribery Act 2010. Covers the Section 7 corporate offence, the "adequate procedures" defence, the six principles for prevention, due diligence on third parties, and penalties including unlimited fines for organisations.

Licensing & Permits

Approvals and registrations you need before trading

Understanding the approvals, registrations, and licences your business needs before you can legally start trading. Covers universal registrations, activity-triggered licences, professional body requirements, and how to identify what applies to you.

Get licences from your local council

Comprehensive guide to local authority licensing requirements including premises licences for alcohol and entertainment, food business registration, street trading, pavement licences, Temporary Event Notices, and taxi licensing. Understand fees, application processes, and how to find the licences you need.

Understanding the Water Framework Directive for businesses

How the Water Framework Directive shapes UK water regulation — river basin management, water body classification, the no-deterioration principle, and what it means for any business whose activities affect surface water or groundwater. Explains the post-Brexit retention position and the four-nation regulatory landscape.

Business licences by activity type

A quick-reference lookup of UK business licences organised by activity type, covering food, alcohol, entertainment, waste, street trading, childcare, transport, and financial services. Identifies what triggers each licence and where to apply.

Get authorisation for a water activity in Scotland (EASR)

How to get authorisation for any activity affecting surface water or groundwater in Scotland — abstraction, impoundment, engineering in or near a water body, and discharges. Since 1 November 2025 water activities are authorised under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (EASR), which replaced the Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR 2011) framework. Covers the four-tier authorisation system (General Binding Rules, notification, registration, permit), pre-application advice, fees, and enforcement, all administered by SEPA.

Environmental permits in Northern Ireland: applying to NIEA

How to apply for environmental permits from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). Covers the NI permitting system for waste management, water discharge, industrial emissions, and water abstraction, which operates under separate legislation from England, Wales, and Scotland.

Pre-trading compliance checklist

A concise yes/no checklist to verify you have completed all mandatory pre-trading requirements, including business registration, tax, insurance, licences, premises approvals, and data protection.

Professional registrations: regulated sectors

Which business sectors require professional or regulator registration before trading, what the registration process involves, and how long it typically takes to obtain approval.

Find licences you need for your business

How to identify and apply for the licences, permits, and registrations your business needs using GOV.UK Licence Finder. Covers premises licences, food registration, transport, entertainment, and environmental permits.

Local authority approvals for new businesses

How to navigate local council departments when setting up business premises. Covers planning permission, building control, environmental health, licensing, and business rates, including the order in which to approach each department.

Penalties for trading without required approvals

Quick-reference table of penalties for operating a business without required licences, registrations, or insurance, covering criminal offences, fines, closure orders, and imprisonment.

Environmental permits in Wales: applying to NRW

How to apply for environmental permits in Wales through Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Covers the main permit types (environmental, waste, water abstraction, marine, flood risk activity, felling), the NRW application process, fees, and the online portal. NRW is the sole environmental regulator in Wales - the Environment Agency covers England only.

Business licenses: what you need

Find out what licenses and permits your business needs to operate legally.

Pre-trading timeline: when to apply for what

A month-by-month countdown from three months before your trading day, showing when to apply for each registration, licence, and approval based on typical processing times.

Consumer Protection

Start a subscription business

Guide to setting up a recurring revenue business covering pricing tiers, payment processing, legal requirements, churn management, and customer retention.

Business Insurance

Business insurance: what you need

Understanding mandatory and recommended insurance for your business, including employers' liability, public liability, professional indemnity, and sector-specific cover.

Employers' liability insurance: the complete guide

A comprehensive guide to employers' liability insurance, explaining who must have it, who is exempt, what it covers, penalties for non-compliance, and how to choose adequate cover. Essential reading for anyone hiring staff.

Choosing the right business insurance

A step-by-step decision guide to help small businesses identify which insurance they need, from mandatory cover like employers' liability through to risk-based options like cyber and business interruption insurance.

Reviewing and renewing business insurance

How to review, compare, and renew your business insurance each year. Covers the renewal timeline, your disclosure obligations under the Insurance Act 2015, and how to avoid gaps in cover.

Comparing business insurance policies

How to compare insurance quotes and policy documents so you choose cover that actually protects your business. Covers what to look for beyond price, how to read a policy schedule, and your disclosure obligations at renewal.

Product liability and insurance

How strict liability under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 works in practice, what statutory defences are available, and why products liability insurance is essential for manufacturers, importers, and retailers.

Cyber insurance for businesses

Understanding what cyber insurance covers, when your business needs it, and how UK GDPR obligations create financial exposure that specialist cover can help manage. Includes guidance on underwriting requirements and choosing the right level of cover.

Business interruption insurance

How business interruption insurance works, what it covers, and how to calculate the right level of cover. Includes guidance on indemnity periods, extensions worth considering, and lessons from the FCA Test Case on pandemic wordings.

Guides

Doing business in Wales: key differences from England

Reference guide summarising the key regulatory divergences between Wales and England for businesses. Covers planning, business rates, Land Transaction Tax, Welsh language, visitor accommodation registration, SuDS, environmental regulation, and workplace recycling.

Prevent fraud in your organisation: ECCTA compliance

How to comply with the failure to prevent fraud offence under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). Covers who is in scope, what fraud offences trigger liability, and how to build the six-principle defence.