Bevan Brittan - Knowledge

The knowledge bank for Manufacturing includes regular updates on the latest legal developments.

Manufacturing update Issue 7: Corporate manslaughter: it could be you!
It will have taken over 12 years, but April 2008 will see the introduction of a statutory criminal offence of corporate manslaughter

Manufacturing update Issue 7: Increase in statutory leave entitlement
The Government has estimated that 5.9 million workers will benefit from the forthcoming increase to statutory leave entitlement under the Working Time Regulations. Caroline Havard reports on the practicalities and pitfalls for employers.

Manufacturing update Issue 7: Use of best and reasonable endeavours in contracts
The difference between an obligation to use ‘best endeavours’ and ‘reasonable endeavours’ in a contract has long been the subject of debate. However, it is now well established that ‘best endeavours’ is a more onerous obligation than ‘reasonable endeavours’.

Manufacturing update Issue 7: Term Sheets - Some key considerations
Most businesses will operate some form of debt facilities with a bank or financial institution in the ordinary course of business. It may be an overdraft for working capital purposes, or a structured term or revolving credit facility for the acquisition of a company, property or other assets.

Manufacturing update Issue 7: Procurement challenges
The public sector spends over £125 billion a year on a wide range of goods and services bought from third parties, from every day items such as stationary to high technology kits for hospitals and major construction projects

Manufacturing update Issue 6: Companies Act 2006 - All change please
The Companies Bill (formerly the Company Law Reform Bill) has been making its way through the legislative process for some time now, but has now received royal assent (on 8th November 2006), meaning that it is now the Companies Act 2006.

Manufacturing update Issue 6: The beginning of the end of life. . . .
On 1 January 2007 the End of Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulations 2005 came into force.

Manufacturing update Issue 6: Health and Safety priorities for 2007
With a continued drive to improve health and safety in the workplace and the likely introduction of Corporate Manslaughter legislation, Health and Safety should be high on the list of priorities for 2007.

Manufacturing update Issue 6: Parallel imports from outside EFA
The placing of a "CE" mark on goods, to indicate that they conform with European manufacturing standards, is not evidence of the unequivocal consent of their maker to the resale of those goods in the European Union.

Manufacturing update Issue 6: Outsourcing projects
These days, few manufacturing processes succeed without being dependent to some extent on IT systems. It can be tempting for a manufacturer to join the growing numbers of customers outsourcing the provision of their IT systems and services to specialist third party suppliers.

Manufacturing update Issue 5: Important decision by the French supreme court

Manufacturing update issue 4 - Health & Safety
Government delays introduction of new fire regulations.

Manufacturing update issue 4 - IP/IT
OFT guidance for mail order and '.com' businesses

Manufacturing update issue 4 - Employment
When is a grievance a grievance?

Manufacturing update issue 4 - Competition
UK Competition watchdog branded 'meek'

Manufacturing update issue 3 - General product safety
Tim Boyce writes on the new obligations faced by 'Producers'.

Manufacturing update issue 3 - Taking advantage of open source software can represent a risk to your business
David England comments.

Manufacturing update issue 3 - Environmental section
Kathryn Lawrance introduces the REACH Directive.

Manufacturing update issue 3 - The dawn of a new age
Andrew Davidson gives an update on age discrimination