In the digital landscape, having a strong online presence is crucial for businesses of all sizes. However, it’s not just about having an attractive and functional website – ensuring your site is compliant with relevant laws and regulations is equally important.
In the digital landscape, having a strong online presence is crucial for businesses of all sizes. However, it’s not just about having an attractive and functional website – ensuring your site is compliant with relevant laws and regulations is equally important. At GSDIT, we understand the complexities of website compliance and its significance for UK businesses.
Website compliance refers to adhering to laws, regulations, and industry standards that govern how websites should operate, protect user data, and provide accessibility. In the UK, this encompasses various areas, including data protection, accessibility, e-commerce regulations, and more.
While comprehensive compliance can take time, there are several quick and easy steps you can take to improve your website’s compliance in the short term:
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Tools:
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By implementing these quick wins, you can significantly improve your website’s compliance in a short amount of time. Remember, while these steps are a great start, they don’t guarantee full compliance. It’s always recommended to conduct a thorough compliance audit and seek professional advice for comprehensive website compliance.
There are various other ways to quickly secure your website against compliance issues such as security HTTPS certificates, accessibility options and mobile responsiveness. However the quick wins above can significantly improve your website’s compliance and user experience while you work on more greater compliance measures.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018 set strict rules for handling personal data. These regulations apply to all businesses that process personal data of EU and UK residents, regardless of the company’s location.
Key requirements include:
Penalties for non-compliance can be severe, with fines up to €20 million or 4% of global annual turnover, whichever is higher.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a framework for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 requires service providers to make “reasonable adjustments” to make their services accessible to disabled people, which includes websites.
WCAG 2.1 is the current standard, with three levels of conformance: A, AA, and AAA. Most organisations aim for AA compliance.
Key areas include:
Failure to make your website accessible could lead to legal challenges under the Equality Act 2010.
If you sell products or services online, you must comply with the UK’s E-Commerce Regulations 2002, The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. These regulations aim to protect consumers and ensure fair trading in the digital marketplace. Key requirements include:
Non-compliance can result in enforcement action from trading standards or the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
For example, in 2022, three major sports retailers faced hefty fines for violating competition law and consumer rights:
Their offence? Fixing the retail prices of Rangers FC replica football kits. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) imposed these penalties, highlighting the serious financial consequences of breaching e-commerce regulations and consumer protection laws.
The UK’s Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) work alongside the GDPR to govern the use of cookies and similar technologies. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) enforces these regulations.
Key requirements include:
Failure to comply with PECR can result in monetary penalties of up to £500,000.
The Age Appropriate Design Code, also known as the Children’s Code, is a data protection code of practice for online services likely to be accessed by children. It came into full effect in September 2021.
Key principles include:
Non-compliance can result in the same penalties as breaches of the GDPR.
Achieving and maintaining website compliance can be complex, but it’s an essential investment in your business’s future. At GSDIT, we specialise in helping UK businesses navigate the intricacies of website compliance. Our team of experts can:
Don’t let non-compliance put your business at risk. Contact us today to ensure your website meets all necessary standards and regulations. If you need help in a specific or range of aspects see our other services in IT support, Cyber Security or Microsoft and Google management.
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