Regulatory Review Group minutes: March 2026

Attendees and apologies

Professor Russel Griggs OBE, Regulatory Review Group (RRG) Chair 
Susan Love, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants 
Ewan MacDonald-Russel, Scottish Retail Consortium 
Fiona Richardson, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities 
David MacKenzie, Trading Standards
Craig Brown, Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland
Tracey Reilly, Consumer Scotland
Robbie McGregor, British Standards Institute (BSI)
Iain Hall, UKAS
Brendan McGinty, CMA
Alexandra Connell, Trading Standards 

Apologies: 

Douglas White, Consumer Scotland

Items and actions

Welcome, Introductions, Approval of Minutes

Professor Russel Griggs OBE welcomed and thanked attendees for participating in this virtual meeting of the Regulatory Review Group (RRG). Minutes from the previous meeting (25 February) were agreed.

Product Stewardship Plan

Scottish Government (SG) officials updated members on the Product Stewardship Plan. Members were advised that 3 new products had been identified as being a priority: household textiles, mattresses and furniture. Officials outlined that the aim had been for a more targeted approach of where the most impact could be in the economy, and that, as this was early stage policy development, engagement with stakeholders and other UK administrations would now shape future direction with regard to how this would be implemented. Officials advised that a plan on next steps over the coming 5-year period would likely be published by the end of 2026.

Members welcomed the choice of the 3 materials and discussed that these were frequently fly-tipped products with associated cost to local authorities. Encouraging reuse would be of huge benefit to local authorities and private landowners. The question of the use of existing standards was raised and if this was a possibility for the 3 products. Officials welcomed the suggestion of working with the British Standards Institute (BSI) on standards to identify if this was a possibility. It was noted that the BSI had already been engaging with the Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland. On consumer awareness and confidence, Consumer Scotland advised that they had recently published research which showed that consumers needed to have confidence in reused products for sale, that there needed to be better access to recycling sites across Scotland and that there needed to be opportunities for businesses to participate and take advantage of any plans. Officials agreed that consumer confidence and better choice was key, and that this had been a factor in the product prioritisation choices. 

Members were keen to discuss the Plan with officials as it progressed, and officials agreed to return prior to the Plan being published later in the year. Members also suggested choosing one product to discuss at a future RRG meeting with respect to the process, and any future plans to regulate on that product.

Deposit Return Scheme

SG officials presented to members on developments with regard to the Deposit Return Scheme, outlining that the plans had been altered to align with schemes in England and Northern Ireland, with the scheme launch expected to be in October 2027. It was explained that regulations had been laid to seek alignment across the UK, and an administrator, Exchange for Change (EfC), had been appointed to roll the scheme out going forward, with planned engagement with consumers and retailers.

Following a discussion on the responsibility EfC have with regard to future communications, operability with other UK schemes, the logistics of working with business and regulators, and business readiness, it was agreed by members that RRG engagement with EfC was vital. It was discussed that the key to the success of the Deposit Return Scheme would be business and consumer confidence in the scheme, and also in ensuring that vital information was shared with stakeholders to build this confidence and readiness. It was agreed that Exchange for Change should be invited to attend a future RRG meeting, and that contact would be made to arrange this.

Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Licensing Review

Scottish Government (SG) officials updated members on progress with the review, which was a multi-body organisation tasked with reviewing and modernising civic government legislation, looking at many of the functions of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, with the potential for a new civil licensing act. The review is currently overseeing the drafting of recommendations, with a report hopefully due to be published in June 2026.

Members welcomed the review and the considerable effort and work of the review team and noted the possible need for future legislation and the importance of engagement on this. It was agreed that modernisation was vital to keep pace with societal and technological change, with the need to ensure consistency in application across Scotland. It was agreed that officials should return to the RRG with recommendations and choose 2 or 3 specific issues to discuss next steps.

Next Steps/AOB

Professor Griggs thanked David MacKenzie for his considerable time and contribution over his term as a member of the RRG as he steps down from the Group to be replaced by Alexandra Connell.

The next meeting of the group will be held in person in Atlantic Quay on 30 April.