We're "EU outlaws", admit the UK's bosses

Citation

(2002), "We're "EU outlaws", admit the UK's bosses", International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Vol. 30 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijrdm.2002.08930cab.007

We're "EU outlaws", admit the UK's bosses

We're "EU outlaws", admit the UK's bosses

Millions of UK businesses are unwittingly breaking the law by failing to keep up with EU regulations, and could be subject to huge fines, it was revealed recently.

A third of all small and medium-sized retail businesses admit that they are not sure that they are complying with up-to-date EU laws, according to independent research commissioned by leading insurer Norwich Union.

Two-thirds of bosses in the retail industry say that they have not made any changes to their business practices as a result of EU laws.

Businesses in the retail sector have proven to be the most efficient in making changes, compared with businesses in the manufacturing industry, which are the worst offenders – almost nine out of ten revealed that they have never made any changes

Norwich Union's "EU outlaws" research of the retail industry also reveals that:

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  Two in five bosses have never made a risk assessment to identify and control safety hazards to their workforce – although this is a requirement under EU law.

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  Almost three-quarters of all businesses do not even bother to find out information about EU law or keep up with changes in legislation.

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  Of those, almost nine in ten say they that are too busy to do so or it is not a priority.

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  Three in five bosses think that the UK is more stringent at enforcing EU laws than other countries.

Peter Knowles, head of small commercial markets at Norwich Union, said: "Businesses are under increasing pressure to maintain their profits in an increasingly competitive world, as well as coping with the day-to-day running of their business.

"Hundreds of EU laws are passed each year affecting every area of business on every level. Legislation is constantly changing in areas such as employment, health, safety and fire regulations. If worrying about what is happening in the EU is not a priority and businesses do not keep on top of these changes, they could be breaking the law, and putting their business and staff at risk."

Norwich Union has produced a free guide – called Unravelling European Business Law – which outlines the main areas of legislation about employment, health, safety and fire, as well as giving information on how EU laws affect businesses.

The guide also provides a list of Web site addresses, where further help and advice can be obtained.

Peter Knowles added: "Three out of four employers told us that it was very difficult, if not impossible, to get hold of information about changes to EU regulations.

"This guide gives businesses access to the information they need at their fingertips, so they can find out how EU law affects them – and feel confident that they are not breaking the law."

Stephen Alambritis, from the Federation of Small Business, which has endorsed Norwich Union's campaign, said: "It is not surprising that research shows that UK businesses place little priority on keeping abreast of the latest EU laws, when it comes to the day-to-day running of their business operations.

"But ignorance about developments in EU regulations may prove to be far more costly than imagined, with heavy fines, up to £50,000, a distinct possibility for non-compliance.

"We support guides, such as that produced by Norwich Union, which provides small businesses with plain English information and advice about EU laws and legislation."

For a free copy of Unravelling European Business Law contact Freefone 0800 0280939.