Authorized the use of cobalt in specific toy components including stainless steel, electrical parts, and certain magnets from 8 March 2027.

These Regulations amend the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 to permit the use of cobalt in specific toy components where it was previously prohibited due to its classification as a carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction (CMR) substance.

The instrument authorizes cobalt use in stainless steel components (including as an impurity in nickel), electrical conductors, and neodymium-based magnets that are not inhalable or swallowable.

It applies to toy manufacturers, importers, and distributors placing products on the market in England, Wales, and Scotland, while also updating references to EU directives to ensure the continued recognition of CE-marked goods.

Expanded the definition of relevant official records to include those subject to automatic pardon and disregard schemes.

This Order amends the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (Relevant Official Records) Order 2012 to update the definition of records subject to disregard and pardon provisions.

It removes language that restricted the definition of "relevant official records" to those related to specific applications for disregarding convictions.

According to the Explanatory Memorandum, this change ensures that the definition applies to automatic pardon and data deletion schemes introduced by the Crime and Policing Act 2026 for certain historical abortion and prostitution-related offences.

The Order applies to data controllers and public authorities in England and Wales responsible for maintaining police, court, and other official records.

Increased the tariffs for NHS injury cost recovery and mandated that insurers provide patient NHS numbers to facilitate claim processing.

These Regulations increase the financial charges that the Secretary of State can recover from compensators for NHS hospital treatment and ambulance services provided to injured persons.

The instrument applies to insurers and other persons liable for personal injury compensation in England and Wales, requiring them to provide an injured person's 10-digit NHS number when submitting claims information.

It directs the Compensation Recovery Unit to collect these increased tariffs—including a new maximum cap of £66,173—for injuries occurring on or after 1st October 2026, and mandates the inclusion of NHS numbers in information exchanges starting 6th April 2027.

Introduced mandatory three-year enhanced DBS checks for pharmacy staff and restricted pharmacists from dispensing prescriptions issued by their own employees.

These Regulations amend the 2013 framework governing pharmaceutical services in England to introduce new clinical governance standards and operational requirements for NHS pharmacists and Local Pharmaceutical Service (LPS) contractors.

The instrument restricts pharmacists from dispensing items prescribed by themselves or their employees unless specific 'best interests' criteria are met and forbids changing a patient's nominated dispensing contractor without explicit consent.

It also mandates three-yearly enhanced DBS checks for all professional staff and establishes a formal notification process for pharmacies to temporarily close for staff training without breaching their core opening hours obligations.

Authorized local authority officials to use directed surveillance for enforcing new tobacco and vaping age-of-sale and proxy purchasing offences.

This Order updates the list of criminal offences for which local authority officials in England and Wales may authorize directed surveillance under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

It directs the substitution of repealed tobacco-related offences with new offences created by the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, specifically regarding the sale and proxy purchase of tobacco, vapes, and nicotine products.

The provisions apply to individuals holding designated senior positions within county, district, and borough councils, enabling them to authorize Trading Standards Officers to conduct covert investigations into underage sales and age-of-sale violations.

Activated legal provisions requiring enhanced background checks for supervised staff working with children starting September 2026.

These Regulations bring into force section 139 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 on 1 September 2026 for England and Wales.

This provision amends the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 by removing the exemption that excluded supervised roles from being classified as 'regulated activity' within the child workforce.

Consequently, individuals working closely and frequently with children are now subject to enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and children’s barred list checks, regardless of supervision levels.

Activated the legal requirement for schools in England to maintain and publish allergy safety policies starting 1 September 2026.

These Regulations bring section 34 of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 into full force on 1 September 2026 for schools in England.

The activated provision requires educational institutions to implement and publish allergy safety policies while following statutory guidance issued by the government.

The instrument applies to schools governed by the Children and Families Act 2014, the Education Act 1996, and the Education and Skills Act 2008, and it authorizes the Secretary of State to create further regulations regarding pupil allergies.

Activated legal powers on 13 August 2026 allowing probation services to disclose offender information to victims deemed at risk of harm.

These Regulations bring specific provisions of the Victims and Courts Act 2026 into force on 13 August 2026, primarily concerning the disclosure of information to victims of crime. They empower probation service providers to share information with victims who may be at risk of physical or psychological harm, even if the standard criteria for the statutory Victim Contact Scheme are not fully met.

The regulations also apply to responsible clinicians and hospital managers in cases involving offenders under the Mental Health Act 1983, ensuring they respond to information requests related to victim safety.