PA News Breaking News Christmas 2021 - Some good news to share with you before Christmas - GOV.UK

PA News
  Breaking News
  Christmas 2021

Some good news to share with you before Christmas
We thought it would be useful to share some good news with you before Christmas
rather than wait until our next issue of PA News which will be due out in February
2022. Please read on…

Coronavirus regulations in scope of Primary Authority in England
We are very pleased to inform you that from 30 December 2021, the Public Health
(Control of Disease) Act 1984, Part 2A and enactments made under that part as they
apply in England, will be within scope of Primary Authority.
This means that Coronavirus regulations made under Part 2A of The Public Health
(Control of Disease) Act 1984 will be within scope of Primary Authority in England
from 30 December 2021 where they contain “relevant functions” (as defined by the
Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008.
The Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 (Amendment to Schedule 3)
(England) Order 2021 (SI 2021 No. 1426), which amends Schedule 3 of The
Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008, is available here:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2021/1426.

Why have these regulations been included in scope?
Throughout the pandemic we have been aware that primary authorities are playing a
key role in co-ordinating regulatory activity, and in providing structured feedback,
support and challenge to partner businesses, despite Coronavirus regulations not
being within scope of Primary Authority.. There has been strong recognition among
businesses, trade associations and local authorities of the benefits of bringing these
regulations into scope of the scheme.
Having these regulations in scope will help businesses to prepare for and efficiently
respond to public health emergencies. Businesses in England active in PA will be
able to receive consistent Primary Authority Advice on meeting regulatory
requirements imposed by these regulations.
It follows that if businesses find it easier to comply with these regulations, then the
public will be better protected. In addition, local authorities can access Primary
Authority Advice given to businesses in respect of these regulations via the Primary
Authority Register. This will help local authorities to target high-risk areas and
promote consistency in application of the regulatory requirements.

What current regulations will this bring into scope?
   •   The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (England)
       Regulations 2021 (S.I 2021 No. 1340)

•   The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Entry to Venues and
       Events) (England) Regulations 2021 (S.I 2021 No. 1416)
   •   The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England)
       Regulations 2020 (S.I 2020 No. 1045)
   •   The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3)
       Regulations 2020 (S.I 2020 No. 750).

What does this mean for PA partnerships in England?
Primary authorities in England will be able to provide Primary Authority Advice to
their partners in England on relevant business obligations/restrictions, and enforcing
authorities will need to be aware of the requirements in relation to notification of
enforcement actions detailed in the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act
2008, the Co-ordination of Regulatory Enforcement Regulations 2017, and the
Primary Authority Statutory Guidance, which is available here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/primary-authority-statutory-guidance.
Please continue to check the PA Register
We continue to direct all local authority officers to information on the secure area of
the Primary Authority Register before visiting businesses, and initiate early dialogue
with the relevant primary authority where issues arise locally.
As a local authority regulator, if you do not have an account for access to the secure
area of the PA register, please email pa@beis.gov.uk

Other Primary Authority News
Annual Week of Wonder - claim your free tickets
The Local Delivery Team of The Office for Product Safety and Standards will be
hosting their annual Week of Wonder from 18 to 20 January in the new year. There
will be a range of talks and workshops over the three days which you can join
virtually.
18th Jan: Day 1 – Use this link to book for day 1 via Eventbrite
19th Jan: Day 2 – Use this link to book for day 2 via Eventbrite
20th Jan: Day 3 – Use this link to book for day 3 via Eventbrite

Businesses seeking PA Partners
Electro Waste Limited are a new venture looking to import into the UK, industrial
equipment which can safely and effectively destroy waste, including plastics, without
releasing harmful chemicals or toxins. The intention is to supply the equipment to the
waste management sector but want to ensure the correct requirements are met
before they begin importing.
They are keen to ensure the equipment is appropriately tested to all relevant safety
rules, is correctly marked, and labelled, they hold all the required documentation and
has the correct validation to enable them to make the best claims in their sales and
marketing.
This is an exciting proposition which could allow a PA provider to support a new
‘green’ product enter the market in the right way. We have some more information on

the product we can share if you’re interested in finding out more, just get in touch
- stuart.brough@beis.gov.uk
Cartrefi Cymru Cooperative ltd (https://www.cartrefi.coop/) is a not-for-profit
organisation which supports people with learning disabilities across Wales. They
have a range of residential properties as well as supported living residencies, and
they would like to find primarily a Fire PA partner to support them with their
evacuation plans etc. They would also be interested in health and safety support.
Rank Group (https://www.rank.com/en/index.html) trades under well-known names
such as Mecca Bingo, Grosvenor Casinos and Rank Digital. They are looking for a
new PA partner.
Rank Group has 138 sites across the UK, with cities such as London and
Manchester having a significant presence. They have had several pieces of
published advice on the PA Register, and they are looking to maintain the policy
assurance and general health and safety advice. They would also be interested in
expanding the partnership to include food hygiene and fire. As the business has a
presence across the country, they would be interest to hear from any interested
authorities.
If you are interested in partnering with any of the above
businesses/organisations, please email stuart.brough@beis.gov.uk

Enforcement Authority training offer for Scotland
As part of our support for local authorities we are offering some new free online
training on the Primary Authority Scheme but focused on the role of Enforcing
Authorities.
The initial delivery of this training will be focused on Scottish authorities who, as one
of the devolved nations, are in a different position to other parts of the UK. An
Eventbrite link will be sent out soon with the intended date of 2nd February 2022.
Further training for other authorities and nations will follow. If you are interested in
this, please email localregulatorydelivery@beis.gov.uk with Scotland Training Offer
in your subject box.

Why PA Training for Enforcing Authorities?
Enforcing Authorities are essential to the proper functioning of Primary Authority, so
having a clear understanding of the scheme, how it can help and your legal
obligations under it can benefit everyone. The training will give a clear understanding
of the scheme, help bust some myths around it, give you a background to Primary
Authority and summarise the roles and responsibilities of both the Primary Authority
provider and the Enforcing Authority.
The training is eligible for 2 hours of CPD and you can pre-register your interest by
emailing localregulatorydelivery@beis.gov.uk.

The Local Delivery Team (Head of LDT) within the Office for Product Safety
and Standards wishes you a wonderful Christmas break and we look forward
to working with you all in 2022.