HFSS Regulations

ACS launches guide to help retailers with HFSS

The guide provides a blueprint for stores to start work now on how they’regoing to adapt their businesses in the coming months.

The Association of Convenience Stores has launched a guide to help retailers with the upcoming regulations restricting products that are high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) in stores.

Thousands of retailers are set to be affected, which apply to stores over 2,000sq ft (location restrictions) and businesses with more than 50 employees (volume promotions – includes some symbol groups and franchises).

The ACS’ Assured Advice guide on HFSS regulations, which are coming into force in October this year, covers everything retailers need to know on the key areas of the regulations, including:

● How to work out whether your store will be in scope of the regulations;

● Which areas of the store you can exclude when calculating your relevant floor space;

● Which categories of products are affected;

● Which promotions are restricted;

● How the location restrictions work, and who is included within them;

● How to work out the restricted area at the entrance of the store;

● Which other areas around the store are subject to the location restrictions.

ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman, said: “The introduction of HFSS regulations marks one of the biggest operational changes in the grocery retail sector in living memory, so it is absolutely crucial that retailers know what they will have to do.

“Our guidance provides important clarity for retailers dealing with the complexity of the regulations, and provides a blueprint for stores to start work now.”

The guide is backed by Surrey and Bucks Trading Standards, who will also be on hand in the lead-up to October to provide additional clarification to ACS members.