This update highlights key legal and regulatory developments from October 2025, focusing on quality, environment, information security, and health & safety. It is designed to support organisations in maintaining compliance and understanding the practical impact of recent changes.

Download the full update: Monthly General Legal Update.

For queries about your legal register or compliance obligations, contact legalregister.support@avisoconsultancy.co.uk.

Information security

Data (Use and Access) Act 2025

• Comes into force 1 November 2025 (phased to 2028).
• Establishes a new framework for ethical, secure, and fair data use across the UK.
• Key features:
  • Mandatory data-sharing for public authorities.
  • Trusted Data Environments (TDEs) accredited by government.
  • Algorithmic transparency requirements from July 2027.
  • New regulator: Office for Data Stewardship (ODS).
• Public sector bodies must prepare for TDE onboarding and update governance frameworks.
• Private sector can opt in for high-value datasets, with incentives.
• Full enforcement and review by December 2028.

Online Safety Act 2023

• Phased implementation continues, with major duties now in force.
• Applies to online platforms, search engines, and user-to-user services accessible in the UK.
• Key obligations:
  • Assess and mitigate risks of illegal content (including terrorism, child sexual exploitation, fraud).
  • Age assurance for child safety.
  • Annual transparency reporting for large platforms.
  • Data Preservation Notices (DPNs) from September 2025.
• Ofcom has launched enforcement programmes and issued fines for non-compliance.
• Non-compliance risks fines up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover.

National Security Act 2023 (Foreign Influence Registration Regs 2025)

• In force from 30 October 2025.
• Introduces the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS).
• Mandatory registration for those undertaking political influence activities on behalf of foreign powers.
• Criminal penalties for non-compliance.
• Aims to increase transparency and support national security.

Environment

Environmental Permitting Reform (England)

• Announced 27 October 2025.
• Exempts certain low-risk construction activities from permitting, e.g. site investigations, temporary drainage, storage of inert materials.
• Aims to accelerate housing and infrastructure delivery.
• Environment Agency to publish updated guidance in Q4 2025.

Noise Emission Outdoors (Amendment) Regs 2025

• England, Wales, Scotland: In force from 13 April 2026.
• Updates noise emission controls for outdoor equipment, aligning with EU standards.
• Manufacturers must use updated ISO methods and revise labelling/documentation.
• Market surveillance authorities gain enhanced enforcement powers.

Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regs 2025

• Phased from 1 June to 1 November 2025.
• Expands Scotland’s integrated environmental authorisation framework.
• Introduces a four-tier authorisation structure and streamlines variation/surrender processes.
• Operators must review and transition existing authorisations by 31 December 2025.

Regulation (EU) 2025/1988 – PFAS in firefighting foams

• In force from 22 October 2025 (EU).
• Restricts use of PFAS in firefighting foams above 1 mg/L from 23 October 2030.
• Five-year transition period for phasing out PFAS-based foams.

Waste Framework Directive (EU)

• Amendments effective 30 September 2025.
• Focus on food waste prevention and extended producer responsibility (EPR) for textiles.
• Member States must implement binding measures by June 2027.

Health & safety

“Awaab’s Law” – Damp & Mould Hazard Regulations 2025

• In force from 27 October 2025 (England).
• Legally binding timeframes for social landlords to investigate and resolve damp and mould hazards.
• Emergency hazards must be made safe within 24 hours.
• Full phased implementation through 2027.

Quality and employment

Employment Rights (Increase of Limits) Order 2025

• Increases statutory compensation limits for employment claims from 6 April 2025.
• Examples:
  • Maximum unfair dismissal award: £109,420.
  • Limit on a week’s pay: £725.
  • Minimum basic award for certain unfair dismissals: £8,070.

Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) (Payment of Claims) (Amendment) Regs 2025

• Updated lump-sum payments for dust-related diseases, reflecting inflation.
• Applies from 1 April 2025.

Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023

• Phased implementation through November 2025.
• Key changes:
  • Enhanced Companies House powers.
  • Mandatory identity verification for directors and PSCs from 18 November 2025.
  • New offence: failure to prevent fraud (for large organisations).

Employment Rights Bill (UK-wide)

• In final parliamentary stages as of October 2025.
• Major reforms expected, including:
  • Right to request predictable working patterns.
  • Day-one right to request flexible working.
  • Enhanced protections for pregnant workers and new parents.
  • New Fair Work Agency to oversee enforcement.

Next steps

• Review internal policies and compliance registers in light of these changes.
• Monitor for further guidance, especially on phased implementations and secondary legislation.
• For support, contact AvISO’s legal register team.

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