The Regulations amended the Control of Mercury (Enforcement) Regulations 2017 to implement EU changes regarding dental amalgam restrictions in Northern Ireland, updating customs enforcement provisions and defining transitional relief until 2034.

The Control of Mercury (Enforcement) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2017 Regulations to implement new restrictions on mercury, focusing specifically on dental amalgam within Northern Ireland as required by the 2024 EU amendment regulation concerning mercury.

These changes update customs enforcement powers regarding import and export prohibitions and clarify temporary exemptions for existing use and import of dental amalgam by registered dental professionals in Northern Ireland until the end of 2034, while also adding corresponding reporting duties.

The Order appointed 12th November 2025 as the end date for the access preparation period concerning the coastal margin for the Portsmouth to South Hayling section of the England Coast Path.

This Order, made by the Secretary of State under powers derived from the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, formally appoints 12th November 2025 as the day the access preparation period ends for the coastal margin associated with the England Coast Path route covering Portsmouth to South Hayling, referencing previous approvals of Natural England’s inspection reports.

The Regulations amended the Phytosanitary Conditions Regulation by updating quarantine pest lists, revising import special requirements in Annex 7, revising phytosanitary certification requirements in Annex 11, and adding a plant to the UK plant passport list in Annex 13.

These Regulations, enacted by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Welsh and Scottish Ministers under powers derived from EU Regulation 2016/2031, amend the existing UK Phytosanitary Conditions Regulation (EU 2019/2072) by modifying several annexes concerning quarantine pests and import controls.

The primary effect is the addition of new fungi and insects to the GB quarantine pest lists, the removal of others, the clarification of special requirements for importing certain plants from third countries (notably concerning *Toumeyella parvicornis* and *Xylella fastidiosa*), and the addition of a plant species requiring a UK plant passport for internal movement.

The Regulations amended definitions, introduced new criteria for identifying bathing waters based on feasibility and safety, allowed for flexible bathing season determination, modified management measures for 'poor' waters, and updated pollution reporting and monitoring requirements.

These Regulations, enacted by the Secretary of State for England and the Welsh Ministers for Wales under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999, amend the primary Bathing Water Regulations 2013.

The changes involve updating definitions, establishing new criteria to restrict the identification of bathing waters based on feasibility, cost, or safety risks, granting flexibility in setting the official bathing season duration, modifying procedures for waters classified as 'poor' for five consecutive years by introducing a reconsideration period, and updating requirements for monitoring and reporting short-term pollution and annual data.

The Regulations amended Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 to extend exceptions regarding non-organic animal rearing and feed use until the end of 2026 and clarified the use criteria for the food additive gellan gum in organic production.

The Organic Production (Amendment) Regulations 2025 modify existing European Union derived legislation governing organic production and labelling within the UK, specifically amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 to extend certain transitional measures.

These amendments principally grant extensions until 31st December 2026 for the use of non-organically reared pullets in organic egg production flocks and permit the use of up to 5% non-organic protein feed for specific weight/age categories of piglets and poultry during the 2026 calendar year due to potential unavailability of organic supplies.

Additionally, a condition is added regarding the use of gellan gum in processed organic food, allowing non-organic sources if organic supplies are insufficient.

The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey) Order 2025 established September 24, 2025, as the end of the access preparation period for specified coastal land.

This order sets September 24, 2025, as the end of the access preparation period for coastal land between Felixstowe Ferry and Bawdsey.

The decision follows the approval by the Secretary of State of Natural England's proposals, detailed in six reports, under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

The order cites the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 as its legal basis and clarifies terms and definitions used in the approval process.

Copies of the Secretary of State’s notices of approval are available online and through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Isle of Wight) (No. 1) Order 2025 set the end date for the access preparation period for specified coastal areas on the Isle of Wight to September 17, 2025.

This Order establishes September 17, 2025, as the end date for the access preparation period for coastal margin land on the Isle of Wight.

The decision is based on approvals granted by the Secretary of State for proposals outlined in reports by Natural England concerning coastal access routes.

The Order cites the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 as its legal basis.

The 2025 regulations amended the 2021 Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations, lowering peat burning thresholds, updating definitions, adding licensing grounds for research, and removing outdated elements.

The Heather and Grass etc.

Burning (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2021 regulations governing vegetation burning on peatland in England.

Key changes include lowering the peat depth threshold for burning prohibitions from 40cm to 30cm, removing the definition of ‘designated site’, introducing a definition of ‘less favoured area’, updating references in the definition of ‘upland area’, modifying licensing grounds to include historic feature protection and research purposes, and removing a licensing ground.

These changes aim to improve environmental protection, streamline regulations, and align with current mapping and policy.