Form

Guidelines for public submissions for labour and environment FTA chapters

Updated 19 December 2024

1. Background

This document services the Public Submissions requirement of the Environment and Labour chapters of the UK’s relevant trade agreements. Under specific Agreements, each Party must provide for the receipt and consideration of written submissions from persons of a Party regarding implementation of the Environment and Labour Chapters in accordance with its domestic procedures. The UK is required to make readily accessible and publicly available its procedures for the receipt and consideration of written submissions. The UK will consider matters raised by submissions that meet the guidelines and provide a timely response to the submitter, including in writing as appropriate.

These guidelines set out the UK’s procedures and criteria for the submission, acceptance and consideration of public submissions under the FTA chapters.

2. Agreement chapters covered by public submissions

2.1 UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement

• Chapter 21 on Labour

• Chapter 22 on Environment

2.2 UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

• Chapter 22 on Environment

• Chapter 23 on Labour

2.3 UK-Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

• Chapter 19 on Labour

• Chapter 20 on Environment

The links to the CPTPP chapter will redirect to the New Zealand government CPTPP page. As CPTPP depositary, New Zealand maintains all the authentic text of legal documents relating to the CPTPP.

3. Submission criteria

UK persons and persons of a Party listed may lodge written submissions on matters regarding the implementation of the Environment and Labour Chapters from the applicable trade agreement. The submissions must:

• be in writing, in English, and sent by email or post (including any attachments) to the contact point listed

• identify the person or organisation filing the submission and be dated

• identify the Agreement and Chapter being addressed and raise an issue directly relevant to this Chapter

• explain how, and to what extent, the issue raised affects trade or investment between the Parties

• provide sufficient information to allow for the review of the submission including any documentary evidence on which the submission may be based

• not raise issues that are the subject of ongoing judicial or administrative proceedings

4. Submissions address

The Sustainability Public Submissions Form may be submitted to:

Email: sustainability.submissions@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Trade and Sustainable Development Implementation
Department for Business and Trade
Old Admiralty Building
Admiralty Place
London 
SW1A 2DY

5. Acceptance of submissions

Once a submission has been received, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) will assess the submission and decide whether to accept it for consideration. This assessment will be within 30 days, unless circumstances require an extension of this time.

While the submission is being assessed, DBT may request any additional information or clarification necessary to consider the substance of the submission. 

Submissions will only be accepted if they are determined to meet the criteria set out in section 3. If DBT determines that the submission should not be accepted, the submitter will be notified.

6. Consideration of submissions

Once a submission has been accepted, DBT will assess the submission and respond on the issues raised. During this process, DBT can request additional information from the submitter.

A timely response to the submission will normally be provided to the submitter, unless circumstances warrant an extension to this timeframe.

7. Privacy notice

By providing your information in the form, you consent to the processing and storage terms outlined in our privacy notice.