DBIS to extend Primary Authority scheme to other sectors
The Government has unveiled plans to extend the Primary Authority scheme to a number of additional sectors.
Publishing its formal response following consultation, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said it would legislate to make the scheme cover:
- The age-restricted sale of gambling;
- The Housing Health and Safety Rating System;
- Sunbed tanning; and
- Welsh regulations on single use carrier bag charging.
The Better Regulation Delivery Office will issue guidance for local authorities and businesses on implementation of these extensions.
DBIS said the Government would also extend Primary Authority to small firms that follow advice from business organisations such as trade associations.
Under the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, which is currently before Parliament, trade associations or franchisors will be able to work with a single local authority in a Primary Authority partnership.
Primary Authority allows businesses to develop partnerships with a single council to ensure that regulation is consistently applied across local authority boundaries.
There are currently 2,295 Primary Authority partnerships covering 100 local authorities and 703 businesses.
Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon said: “Regulation must maintain high standards and a level playing field, but it must never impede the growth and investment plans of law-abiding businesses.
“By eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy, Primary Authority puts the needs of business at the heart of local enforcement, saving firms time and money. This is an important part of the government’s ambitious drive for enterprise-friendly regulation.”
The DBIS consultation, Extending the Range of Regulations Covered by Primary Authority, was published in December 2012. It received 62 responses.
