They've completely messed it up for pilots (especially ones flying on other ICAO licenses) and the only people to profit are the FTO/TRTO's. Refer to UK CAA Standards Doc 14 V6 Appendix 4.
As of Sept 2012 for the renewal of Type/Class ratings:
1) Expiry of rating less than 3months: no supplementary reqs
2) Expiry over 3 months-less than a year: minimum 2 training sessions
3) Expiry over 1 year-less than 3 years: minimum 3 training sessions
4) Expiry longer than 3 years: training required for the initial issue of rating
I'm not familiar with the regs for other EASA states but it must be something similar.