Regulations move, and it is hard to keep up while you are busy making and selling. This is our running log of the changes that matter to stallholders, food vendors, and event hosts, in plain English.
April 2025
Employer National Insurance changes take effect
Following the Autumn 2024 Budget, the employer National Insurance rate rose to 15%, the threshold at which employers start paying fell to £5,000 per year, and the Employment Allowance increased to £10,500.
What it means for you: If you pay someone to help on your stall as an employee, the point at which employer National Insurance kicks in is now much lower, but the bigger Employment Allowance means many small employers still pay nothing. Worth re-checking your position if you took on help before the change.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn’s Law, received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The government has said there will be an implementation period of at least 24 months before the duties commence, so the requirements are not yet in force.
What it means for you: Event organisers expecting 200 or more attendees will eventually have new duties around preparing for terrorism-related risks. Nothing is required yet, but if you run larger events it is worth understanding what is coming well before commencement.
From 13 December 2024, the EU’s new General Product Safety Regulation applies to products sold into the EU and Northern Ireland, including online sales. It brings new requirements such as an EU-based responsible person for products placed on those markets.
What it means for you: Sales within Great Britain are unaffected (the UK’s own product safety rules apply as before), but if you post orders to Northern Ireland or the EU, including through marketplaces like Etsy, you may need an EU responsible person and additional labelling. Many small UK sellers paused EU sales while sorting this out.
Online platforms begin reporting seller income to HMRC
From 1 January 2024, digital platforms such as Etsy, eBay, and Vinted are required to collect and report information about their sellers’ income to HMRC, with the first reports submitted in January 2025.
What it means for you: The tax rules themselves did not change, but HMRC now sees marketplace income directly. If your craft selling has drifted from hobby into business territory, it is more important than ever to know which side of the line you are on and register if you need to.
Since 1 October 2021, food that is prepacked for direct sale (made and packed before the customer orders it) must carry a full ingredients list with the 14 major allergens emphasised.
What it means for you: Not a new change, but it remains the requirement that most commonly surprises new food sellers at fairs. If you bag up fudge, bakes, or preserves at home before an event, your labels need a full ingredients list with allergens emphasised, not just an allergen warning.
Last reviewed July 2026. This page is a summary for general information, not legal advice; always check the linked guides and official sources for the detail.