# The Equality Act 2010 (Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations) (Commencement) Order 2026

S.I. 2026/788 · made 14 July 2026

This instrument brings into force the Commission for Equality and Human Rights’ Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations (“the 2026 Code of Practice”).

Made under: Equality Act 2006 (Section 14); Equality Act 2010

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/equality-act-2010-code-of-practice-on-services-public-functions-and-associations-commencement-order-2026/pdf/uksi_20260788_en.pdf; UK Explanatory Memorandum https://openlegislation.uk/equality-act-2010-code-of-practice-on-services-public-functions-and-associations-commencement-order-2026/pdf/uksiem_20260788_en_001.pdf

## Introductory text

EQUALITY
Made at 3.55 p.m. on 14th July 2026
Coming into force 5th August 2026
In accordance with section 14(6) of the Equality Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”), the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (“the Commission”) published proposals for a code of practice in connection with matters addressed by the Equality Act 2010, and consulted such persons as the Commission thought appropriate.
In accordance with section 14(7) of the 2006 Act, the Commission submitted a draft of the code of practice to the Secretary of State.
In accordance with section 14(9)(a) of the 2006 Act, the Secretary of State consulted the Scottish and Welsh Ministers before approving the draft code of practice.
In accordance with section 14(7)(a) of the 2006 Act, the Secretary of State approved the draft; notified the Commission; and laid a copy before Parliament on 21st May 2026.
The draft code of practice lay before Parliament for the period of 40 days specified in section 14(8) of the 2006 Act, during which period neither House passed a resolution disapproving of it.
In accordance with section 14(8)(a) of the 2006 Act, on 14th July 2026 the Commission issued the code of practice in the form of the draft that was laid before Parliament.
In accordance with section 14(9)(b) of the 2006 Act, the Secretary of State consulted the Scottish and Welsh Ministers before making this Order.
The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 14(8)(b) of the 2006 Act.

## 1 Citation, commencement, extent and interpretation

(1) This Order may be cited as the Equality Act 2010 (Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations) (Commencement) Order 2026 and comes into force on 5th August 2026.
(2) This Order extends to England and Wales and Scotland.
(3) In this Order, “the 2026 Code of Practice” means the Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations which was issued by the Commission for Equality and Human Rights on 14th July 2026.

## 2 Commencement of the 2026 Code of Practice

The 2026 Code of Practice comes into force on 5th August 2026 immediately after the coming into force of the Equality Act 2010 (Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations) (Revocation) Order 2026.

## Signature

Bridget Phillipson
Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities
Department for Education
at 3.55 p.m. on 14th July 2026

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)
This instrument brings into force the Commission for Equality and Human Rights’ Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations (“the 2026 Code of Practice”).
The 2026 Code of Practice is brought into force by this Order immediately after the Code of Practice which was in force between 2011 and 2026 (“the 2011 Code of Practice”) is revoked by the Equality Act 2010 (Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations) (Revocation) Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/787). A hard copy of the 2011 and 2026 Codes of Practice may be obtained from the Correspondence Unit, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Arndale House, The Arndale Centre, Manchester M4 3AQ.
A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-2010-draft-code-of-practice-for-services-public-functions-and-associations-2026/final-stage-impact-assessment or from the Commission for Equality and Human Rights’ Correspondence Unit at the address in the paragraph above.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/788 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/equality-act-2010-code-of-practice-on-services-public-functions-and-associations-commencement-order-2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.