New study calls for more public awareness on wood burning
- 24 July 2025
Households are being warned about the dangers of wood-burning stoves, including modern eco-design models, as a new study by the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) has found that the use of woodstoves results in short-term exposures to high concentrations of toxic pollutants, posing potential health risks to residents. In the study, published in […]
FSS and FSA voice concerns about local authority resources
- 24 July 2025
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have raised concerns about local authority resources and inspection activities. Findings come from a report by FSS and the FSA reviewing food safety across the UK in 2024. According to the report, local authorities do not have enough resources to address the substantial backlog of inspections […]
Asda Stores Ltd Fined £640,000 for Selling Out-of-Date Food at Two Cardiff Locations
- 23 July 2025
Asda Stores Ltd has been ordered to pay over £655,000 after pleading guilty to selling food past its use-by-date at two of its Cardiff branches. The case followed customer complaints, prompting Trading Standards Officers at Cardiff Council to carry out inspections at two Asda supermarkets in Cardiff on six separate occasions between January and June […]
English Council votes to permanently adopt four-day week
- 23 July 2025
South Cambridgeshire District Council has voted to become the first Council in the UK to permanently adopt a four-day week – after rigorous independent analysis showed most services got better or were maintained, with significant improvements to recruitment and retention. Under South Cambridgeshire District Council’s four-day week, staff are expected to carry out 100 per […]
Scotland’s alcohol consumption continues to exceed safe levels
- 23 July 2025
New data published by Public Health Scotland (PHS) reveals people in Scotland are drinking 50% above safe limits, with more deprived communities hit hardest. Despite recent improvements, Scotland continues to face a significant alcohol problem, with adults who drink alcohol consuming an average of 21.6 units per week. This is more than 50% above the […]
Update on the REHIS Tartan
- 23 July 2025
As part of the 150-year celebrations, the Institute has designed a colourful tartan that cleverly uses the Institute’s history as inspiration. Created by Tartan Caledonia, the design incorporates the colours of the official REHIS crest and boasts thread counts that mark the year of our inception, 1875: 18 for green, 7 for black and 5 for […]
Bringing more empty homes back into use
- 22 July 2025
Additional empty homes officers are being recruited to bring more privately owned houses back into use. The new posts are being supported as part of a £2 million investment through the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership in 2025-26 which will see staff take a more proactive and targeted approach to tackling local housing issues. Funding will […]
Review of Scotland’s shellfish water protected area designations
- 22 July 2025
The Scottish Government are consulting on the proposed designations and de-designations of Shellfish Water Protected Area’s (SWPAs), as part of work to meet a statutory obligation. SWPAs are designated zones aimed at safeguarding shellfish waters from pollution, ensuring the sustainable development of economically significant shellfish production. The purpose of the review is to identify areas […]
Improving the safety of non-surgical cosmetic procedures
- 22 July 2025
New proposals to improve safety and standards in the non-surgical cosmetic procedures sector have been set out as the Scottish Government publishes its response to a consultation on the issue. The proposals, informed by over 2,200 responses and broad stakeholder engagement, intends to introduce a minimum age of 18 for all procedures and classify treatments […]
REHIS News – June 2025
- 23 June 2025
Celebrate 150 Years of Environmental Health – Forum and Dinner, 25 September 2025 Be part of a landmark occasion as we celebrate 150 years of Environmental Health in Scotland. This special Forum on Thursday 25 September, will bring together professionals to reflect on the past, address today’s challenges, and discuss the future of Environmental Health. […]
Environmental Standard Scotland strategy consultation
- 23 June 2025
Environmental Standard Scotland (ESS) are consulting on their draft Strategy for 2026-2031. The Strategy sets out how ESS will work to scrutinise, investigate and secure improvements in public authorities’ compliance with environmental law, the effectiveness of environmental law, and the way it is being implemented and applied in Scotland. ESS is an independent public body, […]
BBC Panorama programme on funfair safety
- 23 June 2025
A BBC Panorama investigation has raised serious concerns over the effectiveness of the UK’s funfair ride safety regime, following a string of incidents involving injuries and inspection failures. There were 3,188 injuries in England, Scotland and Wales between April 2014 and March 2024, including slips, trips and falls, with 350 in 2023/24, according to a […]
