Department for Business and Trade Legislation
57 statutory instruments made by the Department for Business and Trade, newest first. Each one is explained section by section in plain English.
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Alternative Dispute Resolution) (Fees) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Business and Trade
- Made under: Competition and Consumers Act 2024
The instrument set confirmed fees for application, variation, and periodic payments for Alternative Dispute Resolution providers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
These Regulations officially set the specific monetary amounts for fees payable by providers of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services, as mandated by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
The instrument details the fixed fees for applying for, varying, and periodically maintaining accreditation, specifying the amounts for initial applications (£6,151), application variation (£950), and recurring six-monthly fees (£1,318), all of which are payable to the designated ADR authority starting from April 6th, 2026.
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Business and Trade
- Made under: Competition and Consumers Act 2024
The Regulations commenced Chapter 4 of Part 4 and Schedules 25 to 27 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 on 6th April 2026 and established transitional provisions for existing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes.
These Regulations officially bring into force Chapter 4 (Alternative Dispute Resolution for consumer contract disputes) and related Schedules (25 to 27) of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 starting on 6th April 2026, marking the third phase of implementation for the Act, and simultaneously establish specific transitional provisions to manage ongoing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) cases initiated before or shortly after the commencement date, granting existing providers a temporary exemption from new prohibitions on acting as an ADR provider or charging fees until they achieve accreditation or until October 5th, 2026.
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Alternative Dispute Resolution) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Business and Trade
- Made under: Competition and Consumers Act 2024
The Regulations amended primary and secondary UK legislation to remove references to the revoked 2015 Alternative Dispute Resolution Regulations and substitute them with provisions from the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
These Regulations make necessary technical adjustments to various pieces of UK legislation, including Acts of Parliament and secondary instruments, to ensure they align correctly following the introduction of provisions concerning Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 and the simultaneous revocation of the 2015 ADR Regulations.
The amendments primarily involve substituting obsolete references to the 2015 Regulations with references to the new framework in the 2024 Act, or removing references entirely where the underlying requirement is no longer applicable, ensuring a consistent legal landscape for consumer dispute resolution.
The Enterprise Act 2002 (Bodies Designated to make Super-complaints) (Amendment) Order 2026
- Department: Department for Business and Trade
- Made under: Enterprise Act 2002
The Order designated Consumer Scotland to the list of bodies authorized to make super-complaints under the Enterprise Act 2002 schedule.
This Statutory Instrument amends the Enterprise Act 2002 (Bodies Designated to make Super-complaints) Order 2004 to formally designate Consumer Scotland as an authorized body capable of making 'super-complaints' to the Competition and Markets Authority.
The power allows Consumer Scotland to raise concerns about features of any market in the United Kingdom that appear to significantly harm consumer interests, extending its remit under the 2002 Act across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, effective from April 6th, 2026.
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (Alternative Dispute Resolution) (Conferral of Functions) Regulations 2026
- Department: Department for Business and Trade
- Made under: Competition and Consumers Act 2024
Statutory Instrument conferred key functions related to the accreditation, fee approval, enforcement, and reporting of consumer Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) providers under the DMCC Act 2024 onto the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) starting April 2026.
These Statutory Instruments, made under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, formally confer specific regulatory functions related to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for consumer contract disputes onto the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), effective April 6, 2026.
The Regulations detail the procedures the CTSI must follow when approving fee provisions, handling accreditation applications, suspending or revoking accreditations, enforcing compliance, and disclosing relevant information to consumers, alongside establishing mandatory quarterly and annual reporting requirements to the Secretary of State and the public.
The Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act 2024 (Commencement) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Business and Trade
- Made under: Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act 2024
The Regulations formally commenced the Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act 2024, setting its activation date for 29th December 2025.
These Regulations officially bring the entirety of the Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act 2024 into force on 29th December 2025, activating the amendments made to the Employment Rights Act 1996 that introduce provisions for paternity leave when a mother or a person expecting to adopt a child dies.
The Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2025
- Department: Department for Business and Trade
- Made under: Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018
The regulations amended several customs regulations to update DCTS origin criteria, reclassified Vanuatu's trade status, adjusted regional cumulation groups, and revised version numbers for numerous supporting tariff and trade preference documents.
These Regulations, made by the Treasury and the Secretary of State under the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018, introduce various amendments to UK customs regulations, primarily focused on updating the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) origin rules and linked preferential arrangements, effective January 1, 2026.
Key changes involve differentiating origin rules for Enhanced Preference (EP) and Standard Preference (SP) countries, updating the criteria for 'economically vulnerable countries,' reclassifying Vanuatu from a Least Developed Country (LDC) to an 'other eligible developing country,' and updating the version numbers of several foundational customs reference documents.
The Competition Act 1998 (Public Transport Ticketing Schemes Block Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2025
- Department: Department for Business and Trade
- Made under: Competition Act 1998
The Order amended the 2001 Block Exemption Order to remove its sunset clause, revised definitions for connecting services and vehicle classification, eliminated the definition of "working day," and set a new mandatory review schedule beginning in 2031.
This Order, enacted in exercise of powers under the Competition Act 1998, amends the Competition Act 1998 (Public Transport Ticketing Schemes Block Exemption) Order 2001 following a recommendation from the Competition and Markets Authority.
The key changes involve removing the fixed expiration date for the exemption, thereby making it permanent unless reviewed, adjusting definitions related to connecting services—specifically regarding trunk bus services—and removing the definition of a "working day" to align with the main Act.
The document confirms the amendments extend across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and sets a new mandatory review date of 1st January 2031.