Yes, it is a new law in the UK (included in the ANO on March 15 2007) although it has been part of JAR FCL for longer than that.
As a matter of interest, the Chief Examiner has stated that anyone who did their renewal/revalidation in the FNPT2 in 2007 (before or after March 15) must do it in an aircraft this year whether it is a revalidation or a renewal.
Linda Mollison