Chartis Product Recall Bulletins April 2012 - In respect of the upcoming Food Information Regulation and its focus on appropriate labelling of products, a real issue that needs to be addressed and understood is the allergen aspect. Ongoing issues with incorrect labelling and with ‘free from’ foods becoming increasingly popular, needing to guarantee a zero presence of allergens or alerting the consumer in advance to their presence, together with better analysis detection techniques has resulted in a steady growth of these types of product recalls over the last few years.

Produced with input from Chartis - The growth of the internet has created a new business and personal environment. Communication – and reaction – is almost instantaneous. Programs allow customers’ details to be stored immediately. Social networking allows businesses to reach a far wider audience than their existing business base and potential readers of advertisements. This new environment has evolved very quickly, and it is still developing. Unfortunately, so are the associated threats and risks.

Metal Theft and theft of metal from the open, whilst a common feature for many decades, has experienced a major increase in recent times. This is due to a significant increase in new and scrap metal prices and has moved far beyond the ‘traditional’ scope of non-ferrous metal to include just about anything metallic.

Product Recall Bulletin March 2012 - Our series on the development, planning and testing needed for an effective recall plan would not be complete without asking this vital question: How will your insurer respond at the moment of crisis?

The Enterprise Act made significant changes to competition law in the UK, and also tackled some trading practices which are harmful to consumers. The four particular provisions that affect businesses and their directors are the cartel offence, directors’ disqualification, enforcement orders and damages claims.

The first conviction of Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings Limited under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act raised awareness of an organisation’s duty of care towards individuals. The Act was designed to make it easier to convict companies that caused death, following public

Readers of our monthly bulletins won’t have missed the stress we have placed on businesses having a well documented and robust recall plan, ready to deploy at a moments notice. Over the years we’ve seen crisis response plans of varying degrees of quality. Yet even with the best we’ve seen one aspect can still slip through the net – testing of the plan in action to ensure all stakeholders are aware of their duties and what it entails to carry out those roles.

From June to September 2012, the world’s eyes will be focussed on sporting events and royal celebrations in the UK. While the influx of visitors and spectators from around the world will bring in significant revenue, there is also the potential to cause significant business interruption. Transport, road and rail services and utilities will all be under added pressure to deal with the complex logistics of a major global event.

Underinsurance is a frequently used term in insurance and often associated with ‘Average’ although the two should not be confused. The potential impact of underinsurance in the event of a claim should not be underestimated.

In 2010 over 3.5 million employees undertook overseas trips. One quarter of these overseas trips were to high or extreme risk locations. Whether it’s safety and security concerns as a result of terrorism and civil unrest or natural disasters such as ash clouds or earthquakes, the threats facing business travellers have rarely been greater.

It is important for businesses to prevent slips and falls on their premises as well as being able to defend any claims that arise from them. This document promotes good practice in relation to preventing claims and defending allegations. It is not designed to be prescriptive and each situation needs to be dealt with according to the individual factors that apply to it.

A recent report has found that the number of recalls in the Product Recall Bulletin January 2012 - UK for food and non-food products during 2011 increased by 27% on the previous year. This is the second year in a row that total recalls have set new records.

Every winter, businesses suffer millions of pounds worth of damage caused by adverse weather conditions. The term ‘Winter Weather’ embraces a wide range of natural conditions, which may result in significant loss or damage to your premises and cause a serious interruption to your business.

Reprint from Commercial Risks Europe - Companies are often unaware of the potentially huge environmental exposures they face and are unclear about whether their existing general liability policy covers these risks.

The Health and Safety Offences Act came into effect in April 2008. It introduces tougher penalties for Health and Safety offences. Prison is now an option for most offences and the maximum fines that magistrates’ courts can impose have been increased.

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 came into effect in April 2008. It is expected to make it easier to convict culpable companies – it could also expose the behaviours of senior management to much greater scrutiny.

Regulations effective in all parts of the UK includes new concepts to make businesses that cause environmental damage responsible for the full consequences.