REHIS News

On the 9 August, the legal requirement for physical distancing and limits on gatherings was removed and all venues across Scotland were able to re-open including nightclubs.

The Food Standards Scotland (FSS) COVID-19 webpage has now been updated following the move into beyond COVID-19 Level 0 allowing all venues and businesses to open with most legal restrictions removed. However, a baseline set of mitigation measures is to be retained across all sectors, and these are detailed in 

From 1 October 2021 the legal requirements for labelling food sold prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) will change in Scotland. The new labelling will help inform and protect consumers by providing ingredient and allergen information on the packaging. 

The National Food Strategy Part 2 has been published which sets a proposal for a tax on sugar and salt sold for use in processed foods or in restaurants and catering businesses.

In total the report makes 14 recommendations, including the sugar and salt reformulation tax as its number one recommendation in a bid to tackle obesity and health problems such as heart disease.

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 will come into force on 1 September 2021.

The Regulations replace previous legislation covering pet sales and dog breeding and introduce new licensing requirements for cat and rabbit breeders, animal welfare establishments (such as animal sanctuaries and rehoming centres) and other pet rehoming activities, subject to operators meeting the licensing threshold for each activity.  

Changes are being made to self-isolation rules for close contacts of COVID cases to allow essential staff in critical roles to return to work to maintain lifeline services and critical national infrastructure.

It will be possible to apply to exempt those who work in critical roles where staff shortages are in danger of putting essential services, such as health and social care, transport and the provision of food supplies at risk.

Two Glasgow City Council mini-buses have been converted into mobile COVID testing units which will offer rapid tests to people without symptoms.

HSE is consulting on changes to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992  (PPER) 1992. 

The aim of the consultation is to understand the impact on stakeholders and businesses of extending the scope of the employers’ duties under the PPER to workers and not only employees.

Circularity Scotland now have responsibility of the development of the Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme.

Circularity Scotland was appointed as the scheme administrator for the deposit return scheme in March 2021. They will take on the responsibility for operational aspects and day-to-day management of the scheme for producers who appoint them to act on their behalf.

With temperatures soaring in parts of Britain this week, make sure you have the right advice and guidance to work safely.

It is important to remember the risks of overheating when working in hot conditions.