This review evaluated the effectiveness of legislation implementing the port security directive in the UK. This legislation comprises the Port Security Regulations 2009, as amended and 33 designation orders which implement the directive at the port level.

The review considered if the UK’s implementation of the port security directive had achieved its original objectives and:

• if these objectives were still valid
• whether there had been any unintended consequences
• whether government intervention was still required
• what scope there is for simplification, improvement or deregulation

In carrying out the review, consideration was given as to how the directive had been implemented in other EU member states.