Here in the USA, the FCC gives us a hard and fast rule:
From?
(d) For transmitters installed after January 1, 2003, the mean power of any spurious emission from a station transmitter or external RF power amplifier transmitting on a frequency below 30 MHz must be at least 43 dB below the mean power of the fundamental emission.?
That 43 dB spec is fairly lax, could be more restrictive in other jurisdictions.
The FCC regs tighten up considerably for operation above 30mhz.
I have no idea about regulations for the United Kingdom.?
Could well be that it is simply left up to the discretion of Ofcom.
Jerry, KE7ER