Equality Act 2010: Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations, 2026
The Equality and Human Rights Commission's updated Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations.
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The Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations (‘the Code’) is guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission which provides clarity and practical advice to those:
- providing services
- exercising public functions
- running associations.
The Code is designed to help duty bearers to understand and comply with the Equality Act 2010 and enactments made under that Act, and to promote equality of opportunity (section 14(2) of the Equality Act 2006).
The Code was laid as a draft in Parliament on 21 May 2026 in response to a legislative requirement. The 40-day parliamentary scrutiny period ended on 9 July. To support the next step in the process as set out in section 14 of the Equality Act 2006, the EHRC has issued the code in the form of the draft laid before Parliament in accordance with section 14(8)(a).
The Code has not yet commenced and does not currently have the force of law. It will only come into effect once it has been commenced on 5th August 2026. The Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (enacted in 2011) will be revoked on the same date. The revocation order is a negative procedure statutory instrument which is laid before Parliament for 21 days in accordance with the “21-day rule” before it is due to come into force. This coordinated legislative approach prevents any period where two conflicting Codes of Practice are in effect.
Updates to this page
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Updated text as the code is no longer in draft
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First published.