Retained EU Law reform: Agricultural Products (Scotland) Regulations 2025 and the implications for UK health and safety compliance

Understanding the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Agricultural Products) (Consequential Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 and what it means for UK health and safety compliance in business

What has changed

These Regulations make amendments to domestic legislation in consequence of the renaming of retained EU law (and related terms) as assimilated law (and related terms), as set out in section 5(1) of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023.

Who is affected

Organisations operating in Scotland that rely on retained EU law in relation to agricultural products and related regulatory regimes will be affected. The change is about terminology, so compliance teams should ensure internal references, policies and training reflect assimilated law terminology.

Why it matters for legal duties and HSE expectations

The renaming of retained EU law to assimilated law has implications for regulatory compliance, governance and risk registers. It does not create new substantive duties but helps ensure regulatory clarity and alignment with UK health and safety law where EU-derived provisions are assimilated. This matters for legal duties, risk management and HSE requirements since many organisations reference the correct legal basis in policies and risk assessments; misalignment could create gaps in oversight or auditing challenges. This is an opportunity to review legal registers, supplier contracts, training materials and management system documentation to ensure consistency.

Steps to achieve compliance

Suggested actions include

• Review your legal register and map assimilated law references to current procedures
• Update internal policies, risk assessments and safe operating procedures to reflect assimilated law terminology
• Audit contracts and supplier arrangements for alignment with the new terminology
• Communicate changes to staff and ensure training materials are updated
• Ensure competent advice is available (e.g. competent person support) and consider integrating ISO 45001 management system alignment

Synergos Consultancy can assist with Competent Person support and ISO 45001 alignment as part of a controlled transition to assimilated law. For systematic control of workplace risk and legal compliance see ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management.

Continuing governance: monitor changes to assimilated law and ensure your audit and inspection readiness is maintained.

This change underscores the need for timely review of regulatory references and proactive planning to maintain effective governance and UK health and safety compliance across the business. By aligning documents and management systems with assimilated law, organisations can reduce risk and support ongoing regulatory compliance.