Member News – 11 March 2026

11 March 2026

Your weekly member email from Logistics UK sharing the latest updates addressing industry-relevant developments, legislation and compliance updates and campaigns to help you stay informed.

In this issue:

• Update on the conflict in the Middle East.
• Logistics UK responds to National Planning Policy Framework.
• ELO becomes mandatory – 20 April 2026.
• Logistics UK’s Waste Forum Working Group latest meeting.
• National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service.
• MAC Briefing: Human Error – its influence on Bridge Strikes.

Update on the conflict in the Middle East

The start of the war between the US, Israel, and Iran, which has escalated to include attacks on many surrounding countries in the region, has already impacted access to both the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal, disrupting supply chains and critical routes for shipping and air freight.

Logistics UK understands that members will be concerned about fuel prices as well as supplies of fuel. In addition to calling for the Chancellor to review her decision to begin increasing fuel duty later this year (see enews 4 March), we are in contact with the Department for Transport (DfT) and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to underline the need for clear government communications to reassure businesses and consumers.

DESNZ and DfT have advised that “The Government is closely monitoring fuel supply and demand in light of the situation in the Middle East. The UK benefits from strong and diverse security of fuel supplies and we are engaging with industry to ensure supply and demand remains resilient. Forecourts are well supplied across the country and DESNZ is monitoring stocks and sales across GB closely.”  They also added “DESNZ are monitoring international fuel prices … and production and imports are continuing across the UK as normal.”

Logistics UK is continuing to monitor the situation and is producing regular updates on the conflict and subsequent impact on routes, oil and fuel, and freight rates to help members stay informed. 

Read the latest update here. 

Logistics UK responds to National Planning Policy Framework

Logistics UK has submitted a response to the government’s proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), welcoming the stronger national focus on freight and logistics but calling for further measures to unlock growth and protect essential infrastructure. 

The response strongly supports the clearer, more rules‑based approach in the draft NPPF and particularly welcomes the inclusion of a dedicated logistics policy (E3). However, it warns that the proposals still fall short in several critical areas. Logistics UK is urging government to introduce firm national safeguards for existing logistics sites, which face intense pressure from higher‑value competing uses, and to embed logistics more explicitly in Spatial Development Strategies and local plans. 

The response also highlights the sector’s growing energy and infrastructure needs as it transitions to zero‑emission operations, while addressing the UK’s chronic shortage of quality lorry parking also remains a top priority.

Overall, Logistics UK welcomes the direction of travel but stresses that without stronger protection for logistics land and explicit decarbonisation planning, the reforms risk missing a vital opportunity to support a more resilient, efficient national supply chain.

ELO becomes mandatory – 20 April 2026

HMRC has received notice that the envelope logistique obligatoire (ELO, the Obligatory Logistics Envelope) is to become mandatory on 20 April 2026.

A reminder that the ELO was deployed in the spring of 2025 for goods moving at the Smart Border between the UK and the EU. ELO consolidates all the necessary information and declarative formalities for crossing the Smart Border under a single barcode. All trucks (whether loaded or empty) will need to present a single ELO barcode for scanning at the Smart Border, for imports, exports and transits. Please consult the ELO user guide and other resources below to create the ELO.

The official communication is available via the following link : Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO) – A Key Transition for RoRo Trade with the United Kingdom | Portail de la Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects

Logistics UK’s Waste Forum Working Group latest meeting

Last week, Logistics UK’s waste forum working group met at European Metal Recycling’s electric vehicle battery recycling centre in Birmingham.

Colleagues from the battery recycling facility, gave the group an overview of the battery recycling process and the facilities at the site, as well as a tour. 

The group was also joined by four members of DVLA’s corporate services and driver medical team to present on the vocational driver licence application and renewal process, including common reasons licence applications were rejected, before moving on to how to notify DVLA of medical conditions and the use of Section 88.

DVSA also attended the meeting and presented on earned recognition, covering sector-specific modules that were relevant to the group and DVSA’s roadside enforcement activities, before concluding by looking at vehicle roadworthiness issues. 

The Waste Forum Working Group is open to members who operate waste collection vehicles in the course of their business, members who have an interest in the waste sector, or any businesses that provides commercial and/or residential waste-related services.

To join the group, or for more information, please contact the group secretary, Tom Griffith.

National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service

The fortnightly National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) Freight Crime Intelligence Bulletin provides relevant and up to date information and intelligence to police and the logistics industry for the prevention and detection of crime.

Read the update here.

Additionally, please find the NaVCIS Freight monthly UK cargo crime update report for January 2026, here.

MAC Briefing: Human Error – its influence on Bridge Strikes

Members are invited to join the next MAC Briefing on 18 March, 10.00-11.00, looking at the influence of human error in bridge strikes.

Professor Tim Marsh from Anker & Marsh will share his expertise in helping members understand why drivers keep hitting bridges no matter how often they are reminded of their vital importance.

He will delve into why humans always make errors, and why businesses need to pro-actively manage the risk of error to prevent incidents, such as bridge strikes, occurring.

This virtual briefing is open to all members, providing fresh thinking and a different perspective on this chronic industry issue.

Register at – Human error – its influence on bridge strikes.

Average EU and UK forecourt prices

Please find the average EU and UK forecourt prices here.