Regarding IR lapsing after 7 years, you have to retake some of the ATPL / IR exam subjects etc. Also it questions those flying abroad on foreign validations from their European issued license. Clearly the situation of a pilot flying abroad a heavy jet with a valid multi IR was never considered.
Those renewing IR's that may have booked an examiner direct and used their own plane, will have to renew via a FTO. The rules state something along the lines of how much training / discretion by the FTO, versuses time lapsed in months / year of the IR rating. e.g. less than 3 months, FTO descretion and beyond required training of X hours before test.
Some could argue, those examiners who perhaps tested private owners, outside of FTO's could loose out financially.
Those that are applying for their first multi crew operator job who might do a 1.5hr sim and then test currently whilst paying off debts. May now find under the new rules, the FTO make them do a lot more time in the sim / aircraft, increasing the costs further, before signing them off to take the test.
The UK CAA has not opposed this to EASA or put forward any other proposals.