BHETA is working with the Home Office on the latest guidance surrounding the retailing of bladed articles, ahead of the implementation of new knife crime provisions in 2027
The trade association recently attended a Home Office briefing covering two key areas of the new legislation: stronger age verification requirements for the sale and delivery of knives, and new reporting requirements for bulk sales.
BHETA General Manager Stephen Richardson, who chaired the briefing, said the association supports the aims of the legislation while seeking to ensure the requirements are proportionate for legitimate businesses.
The Home Office has confirmed that outline guidance will be shared with BHETA members during October, with members given two opportunities to provide feedback before the guidance is formally published and implemented in 2027.
The consultation builds on BHETA’s ongoing work with government around knife legislation, including its campaign for cutlery knives to be exempt from age-verification requirements. The association says this position is supported by Trading Standards professionals who do not consider ordinary cutlery to present a meaningful risk.
BHETA is encouraging knife suppliers and retailers that are not currently members to join ahead of the October consultation, giving them an opportunity to contribute to the process.
For more information, visit the BHETA website.
