The British Institute of Fitted Interiors Specialists (BIFIS) has released a statement urging businesses to respond swiftly to recent amendments in the UK’s Right To Work (RTW) regulations. The updated rules, which impact companies employing workers and sub-contractors, place greater emphasis on thorough compliance checks and documentation.
The new Right To Work regulations came into effect on 06/04/2026, following amendments introduced under the Immigration (Employment Checks) Act 2026. These legislative changes require all businesses to comply with updated verification procedures for every worker, regardless of their employment status or contractual arrangements. BIFIS specifically refers to retailers and main contractors operating in the fitted interiors sector – as these businesses typically work with sub-contracted installers.
BIFIS highlights that the Home Office now expects businesses to verify every individual’s right to work, including those contracted through third parties. This includes checking original documents or utilising the official online service before employment commences. Companies found non-compliant risk facing substantial fines or criminal prosecution.
The onus is firmly on each business to ensure everyone operating under their instruction is legally permitted to work in the UK. It is no longer enough to rely on subcontractors’ assurances. Businesses must demand documentary evidence and maintain robust records to protect themselves and uphold legislation.
BIFIS CEO Damian Walters commented: “We all have a responsibility to ensure those we work with, including sub-contracted installers, have a legitimate right to work in the UK and these new changes require businesses to operate differently from this month. The Home Office is clear about the burden of responsibility for those working with sub-contractors and the consequences for not undertaking the new checks can not only be damaging to brand but can also lead to criminal prosecution”.
Damian went onto say: “The reduction of risk has always been a priority for BIFIS and our retail partners benefit from the rigorous compliance checks we undertake. Partners can be assured that these checks are not only completed on all BIFIS Registered businesses, but that futureproofing for fast-changing legislation is managed by us too”.
BIFIS recommends that all retailers in the fitted interiors sector, specifically those not currently partnered with BIFIS, immediately review their sub-contractor processes and that businesses ensure that they are working within the new legislation.
More information can be found at www.bifis.org
