Small business could be caught unaware by new European regulations relating to harmful chemicals.
It might interest business insurance customers to know that under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (Reach) Directive all firms must register the hazardous materials they buy, sell or use by December 1st.
Businesses failing to do so will be forced to halt manufacturing and importing activities until they comply.
Phil McCabe, spokesperson for the Forum of Private Business (FPB), warned that adapting to Reach can take some time.
"However, the consequences of not signing up could be even more severe. The best advice is to be prepared and take the appropriate steps to make sure you are covered," he said.
Most firms use some form of chemicals and some of them might not realise they do, Mr McCabe added.
For this reason it is vital that all businesses check their responsibilities under Reach, he stated.
Recently the FPB urged the chancellor to announce cuts in business regulation in his pre-budget report.
