The Better Business for All (BBfA) initiative has announced a closer collaboration with the Home Office to enhance awareness of recent legislative changes affecting UK employers and chemical suppliers.

Preventing Illegal Working

BBfA emphasises that all UK employers are responsible for preventing illegal working by conducting right to work checks before hiring. There are three methods to perform these checks:

1. Manual right to work check (all citizens).
2. Right to work check using Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT) via an identity service provider (IDSP) (UK and Irish citizens).
3. Home Office online right to work check (non-UK and non-Irish citizens).

Employers who fail to conduct the correct checks may face penalties up to £60,000. Additionally, knowingly employing an illegal worker can result in unlimited fines and up to five years in prison. The GOV.UK website offers various tools to assist employers with these checks.

Selling Chemicals Responsibly

Changes to the Poisons Act 1972, effective from 1 October 2023, under the Control of Explosives Precursors and Poisons Regulations 2023, have introduced new obligations for suppliers of certain chemicals. Key points include:

• Regulated explosives precursors can only be sold to the public with a valid Home Office-issued Explosives Precursors & Poisons (EPP) license.
• Business-to-business sales of these chemicals do not require a license, but sellers must notify buyers in writing and retain buyer details for 18 months.
• Suppliers must ensure their personnel are aware of the products containing regulated chemicals and understand their obligations.
• Regulated poisons can only be sold to the public by licensed retail pharmacies under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Retailers must report suspicious chemical activity to the Home Office within 24 hours if they suspect chemicals are being used to cause harm or if any chemicals are lost or stolen. The Home Office has provided guidance and materials on the Protect UK website to help businesses comply with these regulations.

For further support, businesses can contact the Explosive Precursor Engagement Team via chemicalreportingteam@homeoffice.gov.uk.