13 BHETA_GF.qxp_23 08/12/2021 14:27 Page 1
Below: Knives retailers are using Challenge 25 signage in stores.
Latest on knives law Following a recent government briefing and meeting with Metropolitan Police, BHETA has updated its members on the implications of the latest information from Government on the timing and scope of the proposed Offensive Weapons Act (OWA). The proposed legislation affects the sale of all kitchen knives, regardless of size or design, and (according to the draft guidance set out in August 2019) cutlery knives, bread knives and butchers’ knives, including meat cleavers, as well as scissors with points. BHETA (and many in the industry) have made representations concerning the inclusion of cutlery knives in the draft. The Home Office Serious Violence Unit has again confirmed that ‘it is the Government’s position that these Inset: Knives are essential to measures should be commenced as soon every kitchen. Photo by as possible’, but that it remains aware of Lalesh Aldarwish. the desirability of a three-month notice period – which BHETA lobbied for in 2020 – to enable suppliers and retailers to adjust. While most legislation is typically introduced in October or April, it is anticipated that guidelines for the Act may be confirmed before Christmas for commencement ahead of April 2022. As PH went to press, the final statutory guidance for the OWA had not yet been published. Based on the consultation information originally put out in August 2019, the legislation will mean that suppliers of bladed items will need to adapt their packaging, presentation and ensure ageverified deliveries for online or mail order sales. Appropriate age verification systems are required for all retail and online sales to prevent persons under 18 from buying a bladed article. While the courts will be the final arbiter, all sellers including online sellers will be held responsible for the efficacy of their system. In store, it is likely that the use of Challenge 21/25 will be sufficient to avoid prosecution, leading to significant changes in packaging, presentation and POS as well as the training of retail staff. For online sales, clearly marked packaging will need to be supported by correct delivery procedures including age verification of recipients, with no locker or ‘safe place’ deliveries and ‘collection points’ only where in-person verification can take place. Age verification via payment system will not be acceptable and nor will any system which relies solely on information provided by the purchaser. (See linked comments). Below: Gusta from My Gifts Trade.
New members sign up Gastroback, My Gifts Trade, Evo Lifestyle Products and the Orthex Group are the latest housewares companies to join BHETA. Originally developed in Germany, Gastroback’s aim is to make professional technology usable for the kitchen at home. Its wide range includes speciality coffee and tea making, juicers, smoothie makers, breadmakers, fryers, and blenders. A family-owned business near Manchester, My Gifts Trade has built its homewares business through close collaboration with leading UK designers and via the exclusive UK distribution of selected high quality European brands, including Costa Nova and Gusta. Meanwhile, southwest based Evo Lifestyle Products distributes innovative homeware and lifestyle including Scrub Daddy and Holster Brands. The Orthex Group’s brands include SmartStore (storage boxes), GastroMax (kitchen products) and Orthex (a variety of products for home and garden). Seema Grantham, BHETA’s sector manager for housewares comments: “I’m delighted to see sustainable, design-led companies with significant expansion plans joining BHETA.”
Above: Orthex Group at Exclusively 2021. Below: Scrub Daddy Christmas editions from Evo Lifestyle.
PROGRESSIVE
13
HOUSEWARES
“Be ready,” says BHETA BHETA’s marketing manager Steve Richardson has urged housewares suppliers and retailers to be ready for the implementation of laws surrounding the sale of knives (see main story). Companies that have recently developed their online sales (including suppliers selling directly to consumers) need to ensure they are up to speed. “BHETA not only has the latest information but also draft templates for the additional marketing, sales and delivery assets which are shortly going to be required, subject to final Home Office confirmation,” states Steve. BHETA’s ceo Will Jones, who chairs BHETA’s safe retail of bladed items steering group, reiterates hopes that the Government will provide an appropriate notice period for the implementation of the legislation – one of BHETA’s lobbying points. “Both suppliers and retailers need to be able to adjust to the new requirements in a positive manner, and for that some advance notice is required,” emphasises Will.
Plastic tax insights Housewares and SDA suppliers have benefited from a BHETA webinar in November which covered the implications and preparations required ahead of the forthcoming plastic packaging tax legislation. The key speakers were Paul van Danzig and Alyce Morris from BHETA business service provider Wastepack, who outlined everything that supplier companies need to do to comply with the forthcoming legislation. The Plastic Packaging Act (PPA) becomes law on 1 April 2022. All plastic items used in the packaging of products must include a minimum of 30% recycled content, or face taxes of £200 per metric tonne of chargeable plastic packaging components. All suppliers whose products include any plastic component – recycled or not – must submit details to HMRC from April 2022, if the volumes involved meet the ten tonne per tax year threshold. An important insight from the webinar was that even suppliers who are below the volume threshold are advised to keep records in case of audit – even if they do not have to pay the tax. The webinar covered how the procedures will work and how to submit relevant tax returns.
