Amended and modernized the legal framework for the trade of endangered species by introducing electronic permits and new criteria for import waivers.

This instrument updates the regulatory framework for the trade of protected wild fauna and flora in Great Britain to align with international obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

It authorizes the use of electronic permit systems, establishes a process for waiving import permit requirements for certain species, and grants the Secretary of State powers to set trade restrictions and general derogations through secondary legislation.

These regulations apply to management and scientific authorities, customs officers, and any persons or businesses involved in the import, export, or commercial use of endangered species specimens.

The Regulations formally defined 'digital sequence information' in relation to marine genetic resources for the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026.

These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State, define 'digital sequence information' (DSI) specifically concerning marine genetic resources for the purposes of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026, establishing that DSI means DNA or RNA sequences held in digital format; the legislation comes into force on 10th July 2026 across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, supporting the UK’s implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.

The Regulations amended existing 2017 conservation law to establish specific compensatory measure requirements and administrative processes for certain UK offshore wind projects approved despite negative site assessments.

These Regulations, made under the Energy Act 2023, amend the 2017 Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations and the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations to introduce a specific framework for securing compensatory measures related to 'relevant offshore wind plans or projects' approved despite negative environmental impact assessments.

The amendments effectively disapply existing general duties regarding site coherence and introduce a new mechanism requiring compensatory measures to benefit the UK MPA network proportionately, selected according to a published compensation hierarchy, with specific approval and review responsibilities assigned to the Secretary of State, Welsh Ministers, and Scottish Ministers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Reclassified zero-emission goods vehicles up to 4,250kg into the Class 7 MOT regime and exempted them from standard drivers' hours and tachograph rules.

These Regulations modify the roadworthiness testing and operational rules for zero-emission goods vehicles weighing between 3,500kg and 4,250kg.

The instrument shifts these specific vehicles from the heavy vehicle testing regime into the Class 7 MOT system and exempts them from assimilated EU drivers' hours and tachograph requirements.

These changes apply to vehicle owners and transport undertakings in England, Wales, and Scotland, while also mandating a periodic review of the new rules every five years by the Secretary of State.

The Regulations amended the 2024 Biodiversity Gain Site Register Regulations by incorporating provisions related to development consent granted under the Planning Act 2008 and defining key site and development terms.

These 2026 Regulations amend the 2024 Biodiversity Gain Site Register Regulations, primarily by extending their application to include development consent granted under the Planning Act 2008, in addition to standard planning permission.

The amendments introduce specific definitions for 'biodiversity gain site' and 'development', and modify regulations concerning which land is eligible for registration, the content required for registration applications, and the process for allocating recorded habitat enhancement to developments requiring development consent.

Updated the list of bodies to which workers can legally submit protected whistleblowing disclosures from 2 June 2026.

This Order updates the list of 'prescribed persons' under the Employment Rights Act 1996, granting legal protection to workers who blow the whistle to designated regulators and public bodies.

It adds the Building Safety Regulator, the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, the Independent Football Regulator, the Law Society, the Security Industry Authority, and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to the list.

Furthermore, it modifies the scope of protected disclosures for the Financial Conduct Authority, the Environment Agency, and several government departments while removing the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland.

The Order legally extended the definition of 'disease' under the Animal Health Act 1981 to include swine vesicular disease for operations within England.

This statutory instrument, made by the Secretary of State under the Animal Health Act 1981, officially extends the legal definition of 'disease' specifically for the application of the Act within England to formally include swine vesicular disease, thereby enabling the full regulatory framework pertaining to animal diseases to be applied to this specific contagion.

Amended the 2023 Development Consent Order for Longfield Solar Farm to update technical designs, hedgerow protections, and biodiversity measurement standards.

This Order modifies the Longfield Solar Farm Order 2023 to adjust technical specifications and environmental requirements for the renewable energy project.

It increases the allowed cable circuits for specific grid connection works, updates the planning permission references for Park Farm, and modifies the application of the Hedgerows Regulations 1997.

The Order also mandates that landscape and ecological management plans for the main site construction works demonstrate a minimum of 87% biodiversity net gain using a specific metric.

These changes apply to the developers of the Longfield Solar Farm and the relevant planning authorities in Essex.