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The DTI has published the annual common commencement dates (CCDs) where consumer, corporate, and intellectual property measures will be joining employment legislation introduced over the coming year.
CCDs of 6 April and 1 October were first introduced in 2004 in the area of domestic employment legislation. The DTI is now extending CCDs on these dates for other domestic policy areas.
Secretary of state for trade and industry, Patricia Hewitt, said: "Businesses need as much information as possible so that they can plan ahead effectively. Today's announcement means that firms know that they only have to deal with regulatory changes at fixed predictable points in the year."
In the pre-Budget report published in December 2004, the chancellor announced the extension of common commencement dates to health and safety, work and pensions, company and consumer legislation from 2005.
David Arculus, chairman of the Better Regulation Taskforce, said: "The taskforce recommended common commencement dates for new regulation because they provide business with clarity and certainty. This is especially important for small businesses, many of which do not have the resources to be constantly on the look out for new legislation."
