Sustainability Regulations: A 2024 Guide for Every Business

Navigating the world of sustainability regulations can feel like a maze, with over 3,000 different rules and guidelines out there. These regulations cover everything from environmental practices to social responsibility and governance (ESG), and the sheer number of acronyms and complexities can be overwhelming. To help businesses of all sizes and across various industries make sense of it all, we’ve put together a handy list of key regulations. This list includes relevant links and specific guidelines tailored to different sectors, updated as of July 2024.

Our goal is to make it easier for you to stay on top of these important standards and ensure your business is compliant. Whether you’re a small startup or a large corporation, understanding and following these regulations is crucial for sustainable growth and success. With our resources, you’ll have a clearer path through the regulatory jungle, helping you focus on what you do best while staying aligned with current sustainability practices.

Regulation	Description	Type of Business	Size of Business
Disclosures
UK Stewardship Code	Aims to enhance the quality of engagement between institutional investors and companies to improve long-term returns and the efficient exercise of governance responsibilities.	Financial services (institutional investors)	Institutional investors, including asset managers and owners
Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Recommendations	Provides a framework for companies to disclose climate-related financial risks and opportunities.	All industries	Listed companies and large private companies (initially focused on financial institutions and insurers)
Mandatory Climate-related Financial Disclosures	Requires large companies to disclose climate-related financial information in line with TCFD recommendations.	All industries	Large listed companies, banks, insurers, and large private companies (Phased implementation)
UK Environmental Reporting Guidelines	Provides voluntary guidelines for environmental reporting.	All industries	Applicable to organisations of all sizes choosing to report environmental information
Environmental
Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)	Requires large companies to report on their energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and related actions.	All industries	Large companies (meeting at least two of the following: 250+ employees, £36 million+ turnover, £18 million+ balance sheet)
Climate Change Levy (CCL)	A tax on energy delivered to non-domestic users to incentivise energy efficiency.	All industries	Applicable to businesses of all sizes using taxable energy sources
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive	Regulates the disposal and recycling of electrical and electronic equipment.	Manufacturing, retail	All companies producing or importing electrical and electronic equipment
Packaging Waste Regulations	Requires businesses to reduce the amount of packaging waste.	Manufacturing, retail	Companies with an annual turnover of £2 million+ and handling 50 tonnes of packaging per year
Water Resources Act	Regulates water pollution and resource management.	All industries	Businesses using or discharging large volumes of water
Clean Air Act	Regulates air pollution from industrial and commercial processes.	Manufacturing, energy	Large companies with significant emissions
Environmental Protection Act	Provides the framework for waste management and control of emissions.	All industries	All businesses handling waste and emissions
F-Gas Regulations	Controls the use of fluorinated greenhouse gases.	Manufacturing, refrigeration	Companies using F-gases in their processes
Hazardous Waste Regulations	Governs the production, transport, and disposal of hazardous waste.	All industries	Companies producing or handling hazardous waste
Plastic Packaging Tax	Imposes a tax on plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recycled plastic.	Manufacturing, retail	All companies producing or importing 10 tonnes or more of plastic packaging annually
Social
Modern Slavery Act	Requires businesses to disclose steps taken to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.	All industries	Companies with an annual turnover of £36 million or more
Equality Act	Protects against discrimination in the workplace and wider society.	All industries	Applicable to all employers
Health and Safety at Work Act	Ensures the health and safety of employees in the workplace.	All industries	All employers
Gender Pay Gap Reporting	Requires employers to publish data on the gender pay gap within their organisation.	All industries	Companies and public sector organisations with 250+ employees
National Minimum Wage Act	Establishes minimum wage rates for different age groups.	All industries	All employers
Working Time Regulations	Regulates working hours, rest breaks, and annual leave.	All industries	All employers
Employee Rights Act	Provides a range of employment rights including unfair dismissal and redundancy.	All industries	All employers
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act	Protects children and vulnerable adults from harm.	Education, healthcare	Organisations working with children and vulnerable adults
Children and Families Act	Covers various issues related to children, including adoption, family justice, and special educational needs.	All industries	Applicable to organisations working with children and families
Governance
Companies Act	Governs the formation, management, and dissolution of companies.	All industries	All companies
UK Corporate Governance Code	Sets out standards of good practice in relation to board leadership, effectiveness, remuneration, accountability, and relations with shareholders.	All industries	Premium listed companies
Data Protection Act and GDPR	Regulates the processing of personal data.	All industries	All businesses processing personal data
Financial Services and Markets Act	Regulates the financial services industry.	Financial services	All financial institutions
Insolvency Act	Provides the legal framework for dealing with company insolvency.	All industries	All companies
Freedom of Information Act	Grants public access to information held by public authorities.	Public sector	Public authorities
Whistleblowing Policy	Protects employees who report wrongdoing in the workplace.	All industries	All employers
Supply Chain
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals)	Regulates chemicals and their safe use.	Manufacturing, chemicals	Companies manufacturing or importing chemicals
Fair Trade Laws	Ensures that trade practices are fair and competitive.	All industries	All businesses engaged in trade
Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulations	Prevents the trade of illegally harvested timber.	Manufacturing, retail	Companies importing or selling timber and timber products
Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulations	Regulates the trade of endangered species.	All industries	Companies trading in species listed under CITES
Other Regulations
Consumer Rights Act	Protects consumer rights when buying goods and services.	All industries	All businesses selling goods or services to consumers
Anti-Bribery and Corruption Laws	Prevents bribery and corruption in business practices.	All industries	All businesses
Food Safety Act	Ensures that food is safe to eat.	Food and beverage	All food businesses
Consumer Contracts Regulations	Provides protections for consumers entering into contracts.	All industries	All businesses offering goods or services to consumers
Competition Act	Promotes fair competition and prohibits anti-competitive practices.	All industries	All businesses