Trade Legislation
Laws governing international trade, customs procedures, trade agreements, and commercial relations.
The Pollution Prevention and Control (Fees) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025
The Pollution Prevention and Control (Fees) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025 increase hourly rates for specialist and non-specialist officers involved in environmentally regulating the offshore oil and gas industry.
These fee increases, effective immediately, apply to several existing regulations governing offshore petroleum activities, licensing, and environmental impact assessments.
The changes aim to update existing fees to better reflect the cost of providing regulatory services.
The Customs (Preferential Trade Arrangements and Tariff Quotas) (US) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective June 30, 2025, amend existing UK customs rules to incorporate a new preferential trade agreement and tariff quota for US beef, stemming from the General Terms for the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Economic Prosperity Deal concluded on May 8, 2025.
The changes add a new quota to the Customs (Tariff Quotas) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 and include the new agreement details within the Customs Tariff (Preferential Trade Arrangements) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.
The regulations apply to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 amend several existing UK customs regulations.
These amendments update various referenced documents related to import duties, authorized uses, preferential trade arrangements, and reflect changes made in the EU. Specifically, the regulations update version numbers for documents related to authorized uses, the UK Tariff, import duty suspensions, and preferential tariffs with Andean countries.
Importantly, the regulations also revoke provisions related to duties on Ukrainian and Moldovan goods, simplifying regulations in these specific areas.
The Enterprise Act 2002 (Amendment of Section 58 Considerations) Order 2025
The Enterprise Act 2002 (Amendment of Section 58 Considerations) Order 2025, effective July 24, 2025, amends the Enterprise Act 2002 to modernize its approach to media mergers.
It updates terminology, replacing 'newspapers' with 'news media' and including broadcasting, thus expanding and clarifying the public interest considerations involved in merger reviews.
These amendments also entail procedural changes in designated sections of the Act and the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013.
A savings provision protects the effects of pre-existing decisions.
The Reporting Cryptoasset Service Providers (Due Diligence and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2025
These regulations implement the OECD Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework in the UK, mandating due diligence, record-keeping, and reporting obligations for UK cryptoasset service providers.
They detail procedures for self-certification, reporting to HMRC via an electronic system, and notification to users.
Penalties are outlined for various breaches, including failure to comply with due diligence, record-keeping, reporting, and notification requirements, along with provision for appeals.
An anti-avoidance clause is included.
The Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) Order 2025
The Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (Amendment) Order 2025 amends the 2023 and 2024 Orders to clarify the calculation of vehicle emissions targets for manufacturers.
It specifies that vehicles first registered in either the UK or EU are to be included in these calculations, using the EU Regulation (EU) 2019/631 as a basis for calculation for both a UK specific and EU specific target.
The manufacturer's final target is the higher of the two calculated in this way.
The Order ensures consistency and clarity in application, supporting the UK's climate change goals while considering the implications of Brexit and retaining UK control and clarity over emission reduction targets.
The Order takes effect on 2nd October 2025 and applies across the UK.
The Free Zone (Customs Site No. 2 Thames) Designation Order 2025
The Free Zone (Customs Site No. 2 Thames) Designation Order 2025 designates a specific area at the Thames Freeport as a free zone for a 10-year period.
Cosco Shipping Crystal Logistics (UK) Company Limited was appointed as the responsible authority, subject to conditions encompassing record-keeping, security, access for HMRC officers, and health and safety.
The order leverages existing legislation to establish the free zone and aims to benefit trade and economic growth within the designated area.
The Trade Marks (Isle of Man) (Amendment) Order 2025
The Trade Marks (Isle of Man) (Amendment) Order 2025 amends the 2013 Order to reflect changes in UK trademark law.
Specifically, it modifies section 56 of the 1994 Act regarding the protection of well-known trademarks, incorporating references to the WTO agreement and making it more explicit.
The Order applies to England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man, and took effect on July 10, 2025.