Skip to main content
Guidance

Scientific advisory committees: code of practice and map of connections

Guidance setting out good practice for the operation of scientific advisory committees and map of scientific advisory committees / councils and arm’s-length bodies associated with government departments.

Updates to this page

From:
Government Office for Science
Published:
22 November 2011
Last updated:
30 September 2026
Show all updates

  1. Map of SACs and ALBs has been updated to reflect the changes that have taken place since its original publication. A description of college of experts has been added to the "Nodes descriptors" section. Change of date of "information is correct at" in the "Purpose of the map" section and change of the name of the "Science Systems and Academic Engagement" team to the "Science Systems and Capability" team in the "Map maintenance" section.

  2. A point was added to the "Map of Scientific Advisory Committees / Councils and Arm’s Length Bodies associated with government departments" page to explain where to interact with the map.

  3. HTML attachment in the form of a Map of Scientific Advisory Committees / Councils and Arm’s Length Bodies associated with government departments has been added. The wording on the landing page has been altered to reflect the addition of this HTML attachment.

  4. Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees (CoPSAC) updated to reflect changes in legislation and guidance - in particular revisions to paragraphs on independence, diversity and inclusion, and transparency.

  5. The advice on making public appointments to scientific advisory committees needs to be updated. Those making appointments should contact the Cabinet Office Public Appointments Policy Team (PAPT) for advice.

  6. First published.

Documents

Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees and Councils: CoPSAC 2021

HTML

Map of Scientific Advisory Committees / Councils and Arm’s Length Bodies associated with government departments

HTML

Details

The Code of practice for scientific advisory committees (CoPSAC) covers all aspects of their governance. It provides guidance on the establishment, management and conduct of committees and sets out their relationship with the bodies they advise.

We revised and republished in 2021 following a public consultation.

The map of scientific advisory committees / councils (SACs) and arm’s-length bodies (ALBs), published in 2024, aims to represent the SACs and ALBs which provide science and evidence advice to government.

Sign up for emails or print this page

Related content