‘Focus on Enforcement’ -
opportunity for small businesses in food manufacturing to have their
say on the way regulations are enforced
The first review
theme for the Government’s Focus on Enforcement campaign is now up
and running. For the next five weeks, the Government will be
focusing on enforcement that affects small businesses in food
manufacturing; and inviting companies to feed back their
experiences of working with national regulators and local
authorities.
Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said:
“Focus on Enforcement gives small businesses in food
manufacturing the chance to make a real difference to the way
regulators visit, inspect and advise and enforce the law.
“I want all small businesses involved in food manufacture,
and those that advise and assist them, to visit the site and tell
us their views.”
Focus on Enforcement also gives businesses in other sectors
the chance to make a real difference to the way regulators do
their work in their area. If you are in a different business
sector and would like to suggest we look at how enforcement in
your area of business could be improved, please go to the website
and make a suggestion.
The best suggestions for areas needing examination will guide
Ministers in prioritising a series of reviews to identify the
source of the problem and propose action.
Melanie Leech, Director General of the Food and Drink
Federation said:
“I welcome this review. Effective regulation is vital for
consumers to have confidence in our food and drink. But our
smaller members consistently tell us that Government action to
reduce the burden of regulation not only by making necessary
regulation smarter but through a better enforcement and inspection
regime could make a real difference to their ability to compete."
Notes to editors:
1. The Small Business in Food Manufacturing theme is now live on
the Focus on Enforcement website and can be found at: http://discuss.bis.gov.uk/focusonenforcement.
The site gives businesses the opportunity to suggest areas for
review of compliance and enforcement arrangements, and to provide
evidence on areas ‘in focus’. Reviews covering chemicals
manufacturing and volunteer events will follow in May.
2. Small business in food manufacturing was chosen for review
because it was raised as a priority during the Government’s
consultation on enforcement launched in June 2011. The sorts of
small food manufacturers who might like to comment could include –
but are not limited to - bakers, cheese-makers, and beer and cider producers.
3. The focus of these reviews is on the way regulation is
delivered – whether through inspections, advice, enforcement – not
about the regulations themselves. A separate initiative – Red Tape
Challenge – invites the public, business and the voluntary and
community sector to give their views, comments and ideas on what
regulations should stay, be improved, or be scrapped altogether
4. The Focus on Enforcement website, for the first time, provides
details on national regulators, their remits and regulatory
budgets and staff resource in one place and information is also
provided on regulatory functions undertaken by local authorities.
(A large number of organisations play a part in securing
compliance with the law. They include national regulators, local
authorities, and bodies independent of Government, some of which
have statutory regulatory functions. The list on the website is
not exhaustive and details will continue to be added and updated).
5. The scope of the review will cover:
- Regulatory activity by national regulators and local
authorities that affects or is perceived to affect the day-to-day
running of businesses that manufacture food and drink for supply
to the public through retail outlets including farm shops, markets
and on-line, that employ less than 50 employees
However, the scope will exclude:
- Primary food production (e.g. farming, aquaculture);
- Meat processing where the product is not for immediate sale to
the public;
- Catering / food preparation (such as restaurants or take-away outlets)
‘Regulatory activity’ in this context includes action taken by
national regulators or officers of local authorities, including
but not limited to:
- provision of advice on compliance with the law;
- inspections of locations or equipment in order to satisfy
regulatory authorities of compliance with the law;
- requirements to make formal applications, or provide
information, in order to obtain necessary permits to engage in
food manufacturing business;
- requirements to attend courses / obtain particular qualifications;
- enforcement proceedings taken against individuals or
organisations in the event of failure to comply with regulations
(we cannot consider comments on specific cases unless all
proceedings have finished – but we can consider general evidence
in relation to enforcement proceedings)
6. The review will also be interested to learn about examples of
effective, tailored and easy to understand guidance and advice for
businesses, and good regulatory delivery that is risk-based,
focused on achieving compliance and supporting business growth.
7. BIS's online newsroom contains the latest press
notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It
also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See
http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
bispress.releases@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Aidan Steer
Phone: 020 7215 5245
aidan.steer@bis.gsi.gov.uk