Summary of Legislative Requirements

The legal frameworks

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Equality impact assessments of new policies have been required since 2002 in the case of ethnicity, since 2006 in the case of disability, and since 2007 in the case of gender. The requirements are contained within frameworks which distinguish between a) ‘the general duty’ and b) ‘specific duties’.

 A further distinction is drawn between a) specific duties concerned with policy development and service delivery and b) those concerned with employment.

The three main frameworks are summarised in below. As first published, they are:

The Disability Discrimination (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Regulations 2005

Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 2966

The Race Relations Act 1976 (Statutory Duties) Order 2001

Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 3458

The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Order 2006

Statutory Instrument 2006 No. 29