How and where do I find all the relevant laws, regulations and licenses that my business needs to adhere to?
Identifying and implementing regulations is an area of concern for all business owners, as rules differ from sector to sector. Avoiding regulations as they’re costly or difficult is just storing up trouble for tomorrow. Businesses which comply with regulations are better placed to manage their risks, grow and build value.
Key: paid for service registration required official
Rules and regulations for small business
Unbiased
Understand the legal landscape for small businesses from Unbiased.
WHEN: You don’t know which rules and regulations apply to you.
WHY: Having a comprehensive overview allows business owners to feel confident that they’re managing their regulatory and legal risks.
WHAT: A thorough easy-to-follow guide with examples and multiple links to the UK’s statutory bodies.
OTHER: Short article on key legals for small businesses from Rocket Lawyer.
OTHER: Another blog on key legal issues for startups from Startup.co.uk.
OTHER: Current legal issues for small businesses from Private Business UK.
Legal templates
The FSB
Browse legal templates, resources, guidance and advice from The FSB.
WHEN: You are setting up or launching a new product or service.
WHY: Keep on top of your legal, regulatory and compliance needs.
WHAT: A one-stop-shop of 350 factsheets and 650 legal documents covering the key legal, HR, operational, tax and health and safety laws.
OTHER: A wide selection of legal templates and support to buy from a digital legal firm from Farillo.
OTHER: Also from Rocket Lawyer, which has templates, guidance and cost-effective access to lawyers for advice (paid for service) from Rocket Lawyer.
OTHER: Other low-cost digital lawyers exist alongside traditional legal firms, which provide a more personalised service – at a cost.
Data protection
Information Commissioner’s Office
Run a data protection assessment from the Information Commissioner’s Office.
WHEN: You’re starting out or launching a new product or service.
WHY: To help you improve your data protection knowledge and compliance.
WHAT: Extensive implementation support for GDPR including an online checklist to improve understanding of data protection. Once you have completed the checklist, a short report will be created, suggesting practical actions you can take and providing links to additional guidance.
OTHER: Guide to GDPR from the Information Commissioner’s Office.
OTHER: Data protection guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office.
OTHER: Overview of UK GDPR post-Brexit from ICAEW.
General Data Protection Act (GDPR)
3b Web
Employ an action plan for GDPR from 3b Web.
WHEN: You don’t know anything about GDPR and how it applies to you.
WHY: GDPR has several aspects and this guide helps ensure you cover them all off.
WHAT: A set of steps with suggested approaches and third-party links.
OTHER: Another concise guide and action plan for implementing GDPR from Informi.
Health and safety
Health and Safety Executive
Review the health and safety laws from Health and Safety Executive.
WHEN: You want to make sure you comply with health and safety law.
WHY: Helps you implement essential health and safety, without it becoming complicated, costly or time-consuming.
WHAT: A guide that helps businesses put in place reasonable steps to prevent accidents or harm to employees, so firms don’t have to pay compensation.
OTHER: Health and safety laws for small business from Bytestart.
OTHER: Short health and safety guide from Simply Business.
E-commerce regulation
Bytestart
Take heed of e-commerce regulation for small business from Bytestart.
WHEN: You are selling products or services online.
WHY: Understanding how the regulations apply to you will avoid trouble in future.
WHAT: A short blog of the key aspects of the regulation.
Licenses
Gov.uk
Browse business licences from Gov.uk.
WHEN: You need to check if your existing or proposed business needs a specific license to start trading.
WHY: Having the correct license from the outset will save a huge amount of bother.
WHAT: A set of short questions that will immediately tell you if you need a license to trade.
Franchising
Business Advice
Read a guide to franchising from Business Advice.
WHEN: You have a strong offer, brand and a business system that can be replicated.
WHY: Launching a successful franchise requires careful planning. It may take time to get right. Once your business model and operation is robust, you may be ready for franchising to achieve faster growth – and this guide will help you decide.
WHAT: A step-by-step guide to the legalities of franchising your business.
Trading fact-sheets
Business Comparison
Review these fact sheets from Business Companion.
WHEN: You need to meet customer rights and regulations on goods, products, digital content and services that you offer.
WHY: Failing to meet regulations, standard and laws can lead to fines, reputational damage and even closure.
WHAT: Summary guides written in plain English, backed up by extensive and detailed information on all topics relating to trading and regulation.
OTHER: Business start-up regulation and the law from Leicestershire Growth Hub. This guide is incredibly well written and mostly nationally relevant content, but does contain some references to local services in the county.
OTHER: Red tape checklist from Startups.