A series of amendments have been issued by the Department for Work and Pensions ahead of auto-enrolment implementation.

The regulation follows a consultation on auto-enrolment and workplace reforms and the changes are designed to make it easier for businesses to manage their auto-enrolment duties.

Changes include extending the time period for employers to notify their staff about entering into an auto-enrolment scheme from one week to four weeks and allowing staff four weeks to opt into the scheme, similarly increased from one week.

It is hoped this will help larger firms, especially those with several offices, who may have found it difficult to comply within a week.

This earlier consultation covered putting the system into effect, new regulation for occupations not covered by auto-enrolment and new regulation for people certifying money purchases and personal pension schemes.

Minister for Pensions Steve Webb described the process of the beginning of a “seismic shift”.

He said: “I welcome the positive response to our consultation. These regulations provide key legal requirements and guidance to help employers start enrolling their staff later this year.

“Automatic enrolment can now begin and start a much-needed seismic shift in pension saving in this country.”

An updated auto-enrolment timetable was published on 25 January setting out the staging dates.

The first round of auto-enrolment for the largest firms will begin in November 2012.