Sector guide
16 obligations that are typically legally required, 20 in all — with the legislation, renewal frequency and penalties behind each.
Hospitality lives and dies by inspection: the EHO can walk in unannounced, your Food Hygiene Rating is public, and a kitchen brings duties most premises never face — gas interlocks, extract cleaning, allergen control, pest contracts.
This guide lists the obligations that typically apply to a food business in England & Wales, what the law says, how often each renews, and what enforcement can look like.
The duties that generally apply to premises like yours under UK law, with what enforcement can look like.
Food Information Regulations 2014 (EU 1169/2011); Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019 (Natasha's Law)
Enforced by local authority EHOs/Trading Standards: improvement notices and, on conviction, an unlimited fine; product withdrawal/recall where unsafe.
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989; HSW Act 1974
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969
GBP 2,500 per day without it; GBP 1,000 for not displaying certificate
Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations
Unlawful to let with F or G rating; fines vary
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005; Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
Enforced under the RRFSO 2005.
Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981; HSW Act 1974
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 Annex II Ch. XII
Enforced by local authority EHOs: inadequate training contributes to enforcement (improvement notices; unlimited fine on conviction) and lowers the Food Hygiene Rating.
Food Safety Act 1990, EC 852/2004
Closure notices, unlimited fines, imprisonment
Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 Art.6; Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013
Operating an unregistered food business is an offence; on conviction an unlimited fine.
Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 Art.5; Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013
Enforced by local authority EHOs: improvement notices, hygiene emergency prohibition (closure); on conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999; HSW Act 1974
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
HSW Act 1974; COSHH 2002; ACoP L8
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974 and COSHH 2002: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989; HSW Act 1974
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013; HSW Act 1974
Failure to report is a criminal offence: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Environmental Protection Act 1990 s34; Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011
Breach of the waste duty of care is a criminal offence: summary conviction a fine; on indictment an unlimited fine.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 s2(3)
Failure to prepare/revise a written policy where required is an offence under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Extra duties that switch on with a feature of the building or how you operate.
Gas appliances or a gas boiler
A passenger or goods lift
Pressure systems (boilers, compressors)
Computer workstations
Heavy lifting or moving people
Hazardous substances (COSHH)
Work at height (ladders, roofs)
Workplace vehicles or forklifts
Fume or dust extraction (LEV)
A swimming or spa pool
A building constructed before 2000
The full hospitality & food list as a one-page PDF — every obligation, frequency and legislation reference. Free, straight to your inbox.
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This guide highlights the obligations, frequencies and penalties that typically apply to premises like yours in England & Wales — general information to help you act on your duties, not legal advice and not a definitive statement of your position. You remain the duty-holder; take your own professional advice where you need certainty. Keeval is a trading name of Brenkon Holdings Limited (no. 16987530).