Retail compliance is a patchwork: pricing, age-restricted products, product bans, waste and staff rules. The dangerous ones are the product rules that change — like the disposable vape ban — because stock you legally bought can become illegal to sell.
How to use this: every item is tagged honestly — Legal requirement means the law requires it; Strongly recommended means inspectors, insurers or licensing officers expect it. 18 items in total. Tap any item for the detail. This is general information, not legal advice.
Price marking rules require clear selling prices, and unit prices for many packaged goods. Misleading pricing is a consumer protection offence.
Alcohol, tobacco, vapes, knives, lottery — each has its own age rules and penalties. Since 1 June 2025, selling single-use (disposable) vapes is banned entirely across the UK.
Pavement seating, A-boards, late-night refreshment (hot food/drink between 11pm and 5am in England & Wales), music, street trading — each can need its own permission from your council.
Lapsed licences are treated as no licence. Renewal reminders from councils are a courtesy, not a guarantee.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England & Wales; equivalent rules apply in Scotland and NI), the 'responsible person' must assess fire risk and record the findings.
Blocked fire exits are among the most common — and most cheaply avoidable — enforcement findings in small premises.
New equipment, new seating layout, new storage — each can invalidate your existing assessment.
Required from the first employee, with significant daily fines possible for going without cover.
Under 5 employees you still need a policy — it just doesn't have to be written down. Risk assessments are required either way.
Certain workplace injuries, illnesses and dangerous occurrences must be reported to the HSE. Have the reporting route written down before you need it.
Business waste can't go in household bins. Duty-of-care paperwork (transfer notes) must be kept and produced on request.
Since 31 March 2025, English workplaces with 10 or more full-time-equivalent staff must separate dry recycling and food waste. Micro firms (under 10) are scheduled to follow from 31 March 2027 — start early.
Wales and Scotland run their own (in places stricter) business recycling regimes — check your council's business waste pages.
Rates change every April. Underpayment risks arrears, penalties and public naming by HMRC — set a calendar reminder for the annual change.
Civil penalties for employing someone without the right to work are severe. Keep copies of the check evidence.
Every employee and worker is entitled to the written statement on or before their first day. Auto-enrolment pension duties also apply from the first staff member.
Since 1 June 2025 it is illegal across the UK to sell or supply single-use vapes — including old stock. Reusable vapes remain legal with age restrictions.
Alcohol, tobacco, vapes, knives, solvents, lottery — test purchases by trading standards are routine, and individual staff can be fined as well as the business.
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No. The ban covers sale and supply of existing stock too. Selling remaining disposables after 1 June 2025 is an offence — speak to your council about disposal routes.
Product-level rules (age restrictions, bans, labelling) and the National Minimum Wage each April. Both arrive with penalties attached from day one.
Want city-specific rules too? See our free compliance guides.
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