Statutory Instruments
2026 No. 788
EQUALITY
The Equality Act 2010 (Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations) (Commencement) Order 2026
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(1) (“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(2), and consulted such persons as the Commission thought appropriate.
In accordance with section 14(7) of the 2006 Act(3), 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(4), 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(5).
Citation, commencement, extent and interpretation
1.—(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( 6 ).
Commencement of the 2026 Code of Practice
2. 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(7).
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
Section 14(7) was amended by S.I. 2010/1839.
Section 14(9) was amended by paragraph 65(6) of Schedule 26 to the Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), S.I. 2007/1388 and S.I. 2010/1839.
Section 14(8)(b) was amended by S.I. 2010/1839.
ISBN 978-1-5286-6395-3. The 2026 Code of Practice can be viewed on the website of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights at https://www.equalityhumanrights.com or obtained from the Correspondence Unit, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Arndale House, The Arndale Centre, Manchester M4 3AQ.