Trade Legislation

Laws governing international trade, customs procedures, trade agreements, and commercial relations.

The Tonnage Tax (Training Requirement) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2025

Published: Tue 9th Sept 25 Came into force: Wed 1st Oct 25

The 2025 regulations increased payments in lieu of maritime training and revoked the 2023 regulations.


The Tonnage Tax (Training Requirement) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2025, effective October 1st, 2025, amend the 2000 Regulations by raising payments in lieu of maritime training from £1,421 to £1,705 and the higher rate payment for training failures from £1,329 to £1,613.

These changes apply to relevant four-month periods after September 30th, 2025, and revoke the similar 2023 regulations.

The amendments increase funding for the Maritime Training Trust.

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The Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges for the 900 MHz Frequency Band and the 1800 MHz Frequency Band) Regulations 2025

Published: Fri 22nd Aug 25 Came into force: Tue 30th Sept 25

The 2025 Wireless Telegraphy Regulations established new licence charges for the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands, provided for payment via installments, and revoked the 2018 regulations.


These regulations establish the licence charges payable to OFCOM for using the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands in the UK. Effective September 30, 2025, the charges are calculated using formulas based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the amount of kilohertz used.

Licensees can pay in monthly installments.

The regulations revoke the 2018 version and address outstanding payments.

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The Alcoholic Products (Repayment Interest Rate) (Alcohol Duty) Regulations 2025

Published: Wed 6th Aug 25 Came into force: Mon 1st Sept 25

The 2025 regulations established a repayment interest rate for alcohol duty, calculated based on the Bank of England rate, effective from September 1st, 2025.


The Alcoholic Products (Repayment Interest Rate) (Alcohol Duty) Regulations 2025, effective September 1st, 2025, establish a repayment interest rate for alcohol duty based on the Bank of England rate.

The rate is calculated as the higher of 0.5% per annum or the Bank of England rate minus 1%, with an initial rate determined by the Bank of England rate on or before August 21st, 2025.

Any rate changes apply retroactively to interest accrued before the effective date.

These regulations aim to ensure fairness and transparency in alcohol duty repayments.

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The Finance Act 2009 (Section 101) (Alcohol Duty) (Appointed Day) Order 2025

This order established September 1st, 2025, as the effective date for applying late payment interest to alcohol duty owed to HMRC.


This Order, made under the Finance Act 2009, sets September 1st, 2025, as the commencement date for applying late payment interest to alcohol duty owed to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The interest regime is defined in section 101 of the Finance Act 2009 and applies to sums due under any enactment but paid late.

The applicable interest rate is detailed in the Taxes and Duties, etc (Interest Rate) Regulations 2011.

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The Electricity Capacity (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025

Published: Fri 25th Jul 25 Came into force: Wed 23rd Jul 25

Amendments were made to the Electricity Capacity Regulations 2014 to facilitate a managed termination process for capacity agreements related to CCS CFDs, and redundant provisions were revoked.


These regulations amend the 2014 Electricity Capacity Regulations to create a managed termination process for capacity agreements.

This allows capacity providers to switch to Contracts for Difference (CFDs) involving carbon capture and storage (CCS) without penalty, facilitating investment in CCS technology while safeguarding electricity supply.

The amendments also revoke redundant provisions in related legislation.

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The Enterprise Act 2002 (Mergers Involving Newspaper Enterprises and Foreign Powers) Regulations 2025

The regulations amended the Enterprise Act 2002 to create exceptions to merger control rules for newspaper enterprises involving foreign powers, clarifying conditions for control or influence and adjusting relevant sections accordingly.


These regulations amend the Enterprise Act 2002 to create exceptions within the merger control regime for newspaper enterprises involving foreign powers.

They introduce specific circumstances under which a foreign power's holding of shares or voting rights in a newspaper owner does not constitute control or influence, primarily focusing on situations involving state-owned investors with limited holdings and associated persons with minimal ownership stakes.

The changes aim to streamline the merger review process while addressing concerns around foreign influence.

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The OTC Derivatives Risk Mitigation and Central Counterparties (Equivalence) (Switzerland) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 21st Jul 25 Came into force: Thu 1st Jan 26

The UK government declared equivalence between its and Switzerland's regulatory frameworks for over-the-counter derivatives and central counterparties, setting forth conditions for this equivalence.


The OTC Derivatives Risk Mitigation and Central Counterparties (Equivalence) (Switzerland) Regulations 2025, effective January 1, 2026, establish equivalence between the UK and Swiss regulatory frameworks for over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and central counterparties (CCPs).

These regulations determine that under specified conditions, Switzerland's legal, supervisory, and enforcement systems are equivalent to the UK's under EMIR, specifically concerning risk mitigation techniques for uncleared OTC derivatives and the oversight of Swiss-authorized CCPs.

These equivalencies are subject to conditions detailed within the regulations, ensuring compliance with UK standards for initial and variation margin requirements, among other stipulations.

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The Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) (No. 2) Regulations 2025

Published: Mon 21st Jul 25 Came into force: Wed 21st Jan 26

The regulations amended Annex 6 of (EC) No 1223/2009 to restrict the maximum concentration of Oxybenzone in cosmetic products and provided a transitional period for existing products.


These regulations, effective January 21, 2026, amend UK law to restrict the use of 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone/Oxybenzone (Oxybenzone) in cosmetic products due to potential health concerns.

The regulations specify different maximum concentrations depending on the product type and incorporate a transition period until July 21, 2026, for products already on the market.

The changes are based on scientific advice and aim to ensure public health and safety while providing a transition period for businesses.

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