Welcome to the July edition of the Retail and Consumer newsletter
David Attenborough's Blue Planet series has helped to focus minds of the nation on the plastic we buy and use. Every year Europeans generate 25m tonnes of plastic waste, but less than 30% is collected for recycling in the UK. We have already seen a number of retailers, restaurants and bars make changes to reduce plastic waste, and in the article below I talk about how focusing on prevention will help to reduce the pressure on recycling and recovery of waste.
We also have a piece from our Commercial Associate, Hayley Anderson, which discusses the CAP review into the effectiveness of the rules relating to the advertising of food and soft drinks high in fat, salt and sugar to children in non-broadcast media.
Amazon was recently the subject of an article highlighting the risks associated with warehousing activities. Global Investigations Partner, Erin Shoesmith, outlines several other issues that retailers need to be aware of.
Large UK businesses must now report every six months on how quickly they pay their suppliers. Principal Knowledge Lawyer Katie Kinloch from our Commercial team discusses 9 key facts about reporting payment practices and performance.
This month's articles
Moving from recycling to waste prevention
In the latest move to tackle the escalating plastic waste problem, the UK is planning to ban the sale of plastic straws and drinks stirrers, as 8.5 billion are thrown away each year. Find out more by reading our article here.
CAP launches review of rules on advertising HFSS food and drinks
CAP has begun a review into the effectiveness of the rules relating to the advertising of food and soft drinks high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) to children in non-broadcast media. To find out more information, please read our article.
Health and safety issues for retailers
In the year 2016/17 there were 5538 non-fatal reported injuries to employees involving warehousing activities in the UK (HSE statistics). For more information, please read our article here.
Reporting on payment practices and performance
Large UK businesses must now report every six months on how quickly they pay their suppliers. Qualifying businesses which have a 31 December year end should therefore make their first report by 30 July, please read our article here.
Events
General Counsel Update - Save the date!
Invitations with full details will be sent later in the summer.
Leeds
Date: 25 September 2018
Time: Registration 9:15am, to close 5:30pm
Venue: 3 Sovereign Square, Sovereign Street, Leeds LS1 4ER
Manchester
Date: 3 October 2018
Time: Registration 9.15am, to close 5.30pm
Venue: One St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 3DE
London
Date: 11 October 2018
Time: Registration 9.15, to close 5.30pm
Venue: Milton Gate, 60 Chiswell Street, London EC1Y 4AG