Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Blood Tests (Evidence of Paternity) Regulations 1971 to bring the terminology into line with that used by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (c.9). Further minor changes have been made as follows—

to remove the exception that a photograph is not required for a subject under the age of 12 months;

to update the references to postal delivery to refer to recorded signed for and to include international signed for;

to require samples to be sent in tamper proof containers;

to amend the accreditation requirements to allow a body to be eligible for accreditation if it is accredited to the relevant standard by a body that is a signatory to an ILAC Recognised Regional Cooperation Body; and

to increase the sampler’s fee.