Essential Regulatory Updates for SMEs: Navigating Compliance in 2024

In governance, risk, and compliance, staying informed isn't just best practice; it's a critical defence against operational risk. As your trusted consultancy partner, Javo Consultancy is here to highlight the most crucial regulatory and standard updates from UKAS, SIA, and HSE that should be on your radar.

ISO Standards: The Mandate for Climate Action

The most significant news impacting all ISO-certified organisations is the mandatory inclusion of Climate Change considerations in key management systems. Effective immediately, the 2024 Climate Action Amendments affect major standards, including:

Your Action Items

Your organisation must now explicitly consider climate change as an external factor in its Context of the Organisation (Clauses 4.1 & 4.2) and evaluate it within your Risk and Opportunity analysis (Clause 6.1). Our service focus: Remote Internal Audits, Gap Analysis & Readiness Checks have already been updated to assess your alignment with these new climate clauses. Do not wait for your next surveillance audit—proactive integration is essential.

SIA Licensing: Sharpened Focus on Competency and Conduct

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is implementing significant changes to raise the standards of security professionals.

1. Training & Renewal Changes (Effective 1st April 2025)

The SIA is strengthening training requirements for security personnel to ensure they are adequately prepared for the challenges of the modern security landscape.

2. Licence Criteria Updates (Effective 1 December 2025)

The SIA is expanding its list of 'relevant offences' and introducing new refusal categories. This includes offences related to Human Trafficking, Domestic Abuse, Tax Evasion, and Company Law offences. Overseas criminal checks are also being strengthened and now apply to applicants who have lived abroad for a continuous period of six months or more in the last ten years (previously five years). Our service focus, Security Certification Support, includes pre-assessment and document review for complex security standards, helping security firms maintain compliance during this period of heightened scrutiny.

HSE: Expanding the Scope of Workplace Safety

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reinforcing the concept that workplace safety extends beyond physical hazards, moving towards a more holistic view of risk.

1. Focus on Psychosocial Risk

The HSE is increasing its focus on psychological health and stress management. Employers are expected to treat psychosocial risks (stress, workload, fatigue) with the same rigour as physical risks.

2. Emerging Regulatory Landscape

Look ahead to the phased rollout of Martyn's Law (The Protect Duty), which will introduce new security and counter-terrorism planning requirements for public venues and large organisations. This will fundamentally require integration into existing Health & Safety risk assessments and emergency response plans. Javo Consultancy's Service Focus: Our Health and Safety Consulting addresses these complex needs, including strategic risk methodology review, drafting complex risk assessments, and creating essential Emergency Response Plans to ensure you are ready for forthcoming legislation.

Conclusion: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

Javo Consultancy is here to ensure these updates become opportunities, not obstacles. By understanding and implementing these changes, organisations can not only comply with regulations but also enhance their operational resilience. Integrating climate considerations, elevating security standards, and broadening workplace safety perspectives are all steps toward a more sustainable and secure future.

In conclusion, the evolving landscape of governance, risk, and compliance necessitates a proactive approach. By engaging with Javo Consultancy, organisations can navigate these complexities with confidence, ensuring that compliance becomes a cornerstone of their operational strategy.

For more information on how we can help you achieve and maintain certifications efficiently, please visit Javo Consultancy Ltd.