UK Act of Parliament 2006 c. 3 Great Britain

Equality Act 2006

An Act to make provision for the establishment of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights; to dissolve the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission; to make provision about discrimination on grounds of religion or belief; to enable provision to be made about …

Read the Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Enforced by
EHRC
Status
Amended (in force with amendments)
Penalty ceiling
Prosecution 1 of 37 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 36 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Any Person4

Plus 33 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

Other Acts binding the same actors

If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.

Any Person — also bound by 2684 other Acts

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

The Commission for Equality and Human Rights

9 of 44 sections shown
s.003 General duty (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must exercise functions to promote equality and human rightsStatutory regulator
s.004 Strategic plan (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must prepare, review and publish its strategic planStatutory regulator
s.005 Strategic plan: consultation (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must consult before preparing or reviewing its strategic planStatutory regulator
s.008 Equality and diversity (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must promote equality and diversity and enforce the Equality ActStatutory regulator
s.009 Human rights (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must promote human rights and encourage public authority complianceStatutory regulator
s.011 Monitoring the law (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must monitor effectiveness of equality and human rights lawsStatutory regulator
s.012 Monitoring progress (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must identify equality outcomes, monitor progress, and publish reportsStatutory regulator
s.022 Action plans (opens in a new tab) Regulated
  • Prepare, submit and carry out EHRC action plan when requiredAny Person
s.032 Public sector duties: compliance notice (opens in a new tab) Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Comply with EHRC compliance notice on public sector equality dutyLocal authority
35 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.001 Establishment (opens in a new tab)
s.002 Constitution, &c. (opens in a new tab)
s.006 Disclosure (opens in a new tab)
s.007 Scotland: human rights (opens in a new tab)
s.010 Groups (opens in a new tab)
s.013 Information, advice, &c. (opens in a new tab)
s.014 Codes of practice (opens in a new tab)
s.015 Codes of practice: supplemental (opens in a new tab)
s.016 Inquiries (opens in a new tab)
s.017 Grants (opens in a new tab)
s.018 Human rights (opens in a new tab)
s.019 Groups (opens in a new tab)
s.020 Investigations (opens in a new tab)
s.021 Unlawful act notice (opens in a new tab)
s.023 Agreements (opens in a new tab)
s.024 Applications to court (opens in a new tab)
s.024 Enforcement powers: supplemental
s.025 Application to restrain unlawful advertising, pressure, &c. (opens in a new tab)
s.026 Section 25: supplemental (opens in a new tab)
s.027 Conciliation (opens in a new tab)
s.028 Legal assistance (opens in a new tab)
s.029 Legal assistance: costs (opens in a new tab)
s.030 Judicial review and other legal proceedings (opens in a new tab)
s.031 Public sector duties: assessment (opens in a new tab)
s.033 Equality and human rights enactments (opens in a new tab)
s.034 Unlawful (opens in a new tab)
s.035 General (opens in a new tab)
s.036 Dissolution (opens in a new tab)
s.037 Transfer of property, &c. (opens in a new tab)
s.038 Transfer of property: supplemental (opens in a new tab)
s.039 Orders and regulations (opens in a new tab)
s.040 Consequential amendments (opens in a new tab)
s.041 Transitional: the Commission (opens in a new tab)
s.042 Transitional: functions of the dissolved Commissions (opens in a new tab)
s.043 Transitional: rented housing in Scotland (opens in a new tab)
Part 2

Discrimination on grounds of religion or belief

0 of 37 sections shown
37 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.044 Religion and belief (opens in a new tab)
s.045 Discrimination (opens in a new tab)
s.046 Goods, facilities and services (opens in a new tab)
s.047 Premises (opens in a new tab)
s.048 Section 47: exceptions (opens in a new tab)
s.049 Educational establishments (opens in a new tab)
s.050 Section 49: exceptions (opens in a new tab)
s.051 Local education authorities and education authorities (opens in a new tab)
s.052 Public authorities: general (opens in a new tab)
s.053 Discriminatory practices (opens in a new tab)
s.054 Discriminatory advertisements (opens in a new tab)
s.055 Instructing or causing discrimination (opens in a new tab)
s.056 Statutory requirements (opens in a new tab)
s.057 Organisations relating to religion or belief (opens in a new tab)
s.058 Charities relating to religion or belief (opens in a new tab)
s.059 Faith schools, &c. (opens in a new tab)
s.060 Membership requirement (opens in a new tab)
s.061 Education, training and welfare (opens in a new tab)
s.062 Care within family (opens in a new tab)
s.063 National security (opens in a new tab)
s.064 Amendment of exceptions (opens in a new tab)
s.065 Restriction of proceedings (opens in a new tab)
s.066 Claim of unlawful action (opens in a new tab)
s.067 Immigration... (opens in a new tab)
s.068 Remedies (opens in a new tab)
s.069 Timing (opens in a new tab)
s.070 Information (opens in a new tab)
s.071 National security (opens in a new tab)
s.072 Validity and revision of contracts (opens in a new tab)
s.073 Aiding unlawful acts (opens in a new tab)
s.074 Employers' and principals' liability (opens in a new tab)
s.075 Police, &c. (opens in a new tab)
s.076 Indirect provision of benefit, &c. (opens in a new tab)
s.077 Employment Equality Regulations (opens in a new tab)
s.078 Crown application (opens in a new tab)
s.079 Interpretation (opens in a new tab)
s.080 Territorial application (opens in a new tab)
Part 3

Discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation

0 of 2 sections shown
2 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.081 Regulations (opens in a new tab)
s.082 Regulations for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
Part 4

Public Functions

0 of 8 sections shown
8 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.083 Prohibition of discrimination (opens in a new tab)
s.084 General duty to promote equality, &c. (opens in a new tab)
s.085 Specific duties (opens in a new tab)
s.086 Codes of practice (opens in a new tab)
s.087 National security (opens in a new tab)
s.088 General duty: exceptions (opens in a new tab)
s.089 National security (opens in a new tab)
s.090 National security (opens in a new tab)
Part 5

General

0 of 5 sections shown
5 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.091 Repeals (opens in a new tab)
s.092 Crown application (opens in a new tab)
s.093 Commencement (opens in a new tab)
s.094 Extent (opens in a new tab)
s.095 Short title (opens in a new tab)
Schedules

Schedules

28 of 147 shown
s.sch001 (1) The Secretary of State shall appoint not less than... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must appoint 10 to 15 EHRC CommissionersCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch001 (1) The Commission shall establish a decision-making committee to be... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must establish the Scotland Committee before sections 8-12 commenceStatutory regulator
s.sch001 The Scotland Committee shall advise the Commission about the exercise... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Scotland Committee must advise EHRC about functions affecting ScotlandStatutory regulator
s.sch001 (1) In appointing Commissioners the Secretary of State shall— Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must appoint suitable and diverse EHRC CommissionersCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch001 Before exercising a function in a manner which in the... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must consult Scotland Committee before acting in ScotlandStatutory regulator
s.sch001 In allocating its resources the Commission shall ensure that the... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must give Scotland Committee sufficient resources to carry out its functionsStatutory regulator
s.sch001 (1) The Commission shall establish a decision-making committee to be... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must establish the Wales Committee before specified provisions come into forceStatutory regulator
s.sch001 The Commission shall appoint as the Chairman of the Wales... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must appoint a Commissioner to chair the Wales CommitteeStatutory regulator
s.sch001 The Commission shall appoint each member of the Wales Committee... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Commission must appoint Wales Committee members for 2–5 year termsStatutory regulator
s.sch001 The Wales Committee shall advise the Commission about the exercise... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Wales Committee must advise EHRC on Welsh impact of its functionsStatutory regulator
s.sch001 Before exercising a function in a manner which in the... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must consult Wales Committee before action affecting Welsh personsStatutory regulator
s.sch001 In allocating its resources the Commission shall ensure that the... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must ensure Wales Committee receives sufficient resourcesStatutory regulator
s.sch001 (1) The Commission shall for each financial year prepare a... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must prepare and send annual report to Secretary of StateStatutory regulator
s.sch001 (1) The Commission may pay sums to or in respect... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must pay Minister-determined superannuation sumsStatutory regulator
s.sch001 The Secretary of State shall pay to the Commission such... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must pay reasonable funding to the CommissionCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch001 (1) The Commission shall— (a) keep proper accounting records, and... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must keep proper accounting records and publish audited accountsStatutory regulator
s.sch001 (1) The Commission shall not— (a) be regarded as the... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Secretary of State must respect EHRC's operational independenceCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch001 (1) The Commission shall determine a quorum for its meetings.... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must set a quorum for its meetingsStatutory regulator
s.sch001 (1) The Commission— (a) shall appoint a chief executive, and... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must appoint a chief executiveStatutory regulator
s.sch002 (1) A person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse... Prosecution
  • Fail to comply with EHRC investigation notice or provide false informationAny Person

Unlimited fine

s.sch002 (1) Where a person is given a notice under paragraph... Regulated
  • Notify EHRC when disregarding notice requiring intelligence-service informationAny Person
s.sch002 The Commission shall publish a report of its findings on... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must publish a report of its findings on inquiries and investigationsStatutory regulator
s.sch002 A person to whom a recommendation in the report of... Regulated
  • Consider EHRC recommendations addressed to your businessAny Person
s.sch002 Before conducting an inquiry the Commission shall— Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must publish inquiry terms of reference before startingStatutory regulator
s.sch002 Before conducting an investigation the Commission shall— Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must set terms of reference before an investigationStatutory regulator
s.sch002 Before conducting an assessment of a person's compliance with a... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must settle terms of reference before compliance assessmentStatutory regulator
s.sch002 (1) The Commission shall make arrangements for giving persons an... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must let people make representations during investigationsStatutory regulator
s.sch002 (1) The Commission shall consider representations made in relation to... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • EHRC must consider representations and explain any refusalStatutory regulator
119 other schedules
s.sch001 (1) The Commission may delegate a function—
s.sch001 (1) The Commission may establish one or more committees (to...
s.sch001 (1) The Commission may establish one or more committees to...
s.sch001 A member of a committee shall hold and vacate office...
s.sch001 The Commission— (a) may, to any extent, regulate the proceedings...
s.sch001 (1) The Commission may delegate a function to a decision-making...
s.sch001 The Commission shall appoint as the Chairman of the Scotland...
s.sch001 The Commission shall appoint each member of the Scotland Committee...
s.sch001 (1) The power under section 13— (a) shall be treated...
s.sch001 (1) The power under section 11(2)(c)— (a) shall be treated...
s.sch001 (1) The power under section 13— (a) shall be treated...
s.sch001 (1) A Commissioner shall hold and vacate office in accordance...
s.sch001 (1) The power under section 11(2)(c)— (a) shall be treated...
s.sch001 The validity of proceedings of the Commission shall not be...
s.sch001 The validity of proceedings of a committee of the Commission...
s.sch001 (1) The Commission may pay to the Chairman, a deputy...
s.sch001 (1) The Commission may, with the approval of the Secretary...
s.sch001 The Commission may make a charge for a service provided...
s.sch001 (1) The Secretary of State shall appoint—
s.sch001 (1) The financial year of the Commission shall be the...
s.sch001 In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c....
s.sch001 (1) In Part II of Schedule 1 to the House...
s.sch001 (1) In Part II of Schedule 1 to the Northern...
s.sch001 A Commissioner or Investigating Commissioner, and a member of a...
s.sch001 In Schedule 1 to the Public Records Act 1958 (c....
s.sch001 In Part VI of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of...
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 The Commission may regulate its own proceedings (subject to this...
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 Disability Committee
s.sch001 At the end of section 3(2) of the Employers' Liability...
s.sch001 (1) The Commission may appoint one or more Investigating Commissioners....
s.sch002 This Schedule applies to— (a) inquiries under section 16,
s.sch002 (1) A notice given to a person under paragraph 9...
s.sch002 The recipient of a notice under paragraph 9 may apply...
s.sch002 (1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies where the Commission thinks that a...
s.sch002 (1) The Commission may make recommendations— (a) as part of...
s.sch002 (1) A court or tribunal— (a) may have regard to...
s.sch002 An inquiry, investigation or assessment may not question (whether expressly...
s.sch002 (1) An inquiry may not consider— (a) whether an intelligence...
s.sch002 Paragraphs 2 to 4 shall apply in relation to revised...
s.sch002 Arrangements under paragraph 6 may (but need not) include arrangements...
s.sch002 In the course of an inquiry, investigation or assessment the...
s.sch003 In Schedule 1 to the Public Records Act 1958 (definition...
s.sch003 At the end of section 40 (pressure to discriminate) add—...
s.sch003 Part VI (the Equal Opportunities Commission) shall cease to have...
s.sch003 Sections 67 to 73 (enforcement) shall cease to have effect....
s.sch003 Section 75 (assistance by Equal Opportunities Commission) shall cease to...
s.sch003 (1) Section 76 (timing of proceedings) shall be amended as...
s.sch003 Section 76D (public authorities: enforcement) (inserted by section 85 of...
s.sch003 Section 76E (codes of practice) (inserted by section 86 of...
s.sch003 In section 81 (orders)— (a) in subsection (1) omit the...
s.sch003 In section 82 (interpretation)— (a) in subsection (1)—
s.sch003 In Schedule 2 (education admissions: transitional exemption)—
s.sch003 In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments,...
s.sch003 Schedule 3 (Equal Opportunities Commission) shall cease to have effect....
s.sch003 The Race Relations Act 1976 shall be amended as follows....
s.sch003 In section 28(3) (discriminatory practices), for “sections 58 to 62”...
s.sch003 At the end of section 29 (discriminatory advertisements) add—
s.sch003 At the end of section 30 (instructions to discriminate, &c....
s.sch003 At the end of section 31 (pressure to discriminate, &c.)...
s.sch003 Part VII (Commission for Racial Equality) shall cease to have...
s.sch003 Sections 58 to 64 (enforcement) shall cease to have effect....
s.sch003 Section 66 (assistance by Commission for Racial Equality) shall cease...
s.sch003 (1) Section 68 (timing of proceedings) shall be amended as...
s.sch003 In Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972 (employments) omit...
s.sch003 Section 71C (codes of practice) shall cease to have effect....
s.sch003 Sections 71D and 71E (general public authority duty: compliance notice)...
s.sch003 In section 74 (orders and regulations)— (a) in subsection (1)...
s.sch003 In section 78 (interpretation)— (a) in subsection (1)—
s.sch003 Schedule 1 (Commission for Racial Equality) shall cease to have...
s.sch003 In Part II of Schedule 1A (general statutory duty)—
s.sch003 The Estate Agents Act 1979 shall be amended as follows....
s.sch003 In section 9(6) (provision of information to Office of Fair...
s.sch003 (1) Schedule 1 shall be amended as follows.
s.sch003 (1) The Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 shall be amended...
s.sch003 (1) The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 shall be...
s.sch003 In section 28(2) of the Employment Act 1989 (orders) for...
s.sch003 The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 shall be amended as follows....
s.sch003 At the end of section 16B (discriminatory advertisements) add—
s.sch003 At the end of section 16C (instructions and pressure to...
s.sch003 Section 17B (proceedings by Disability Rights Commission) shall cease to...
s.sch003 Section 28 (conciliation services) shall cease to have effect.
s.sch003 In sections 28C(4) and 28T(2) (non-discrimination in education) for “section...
s.sch003 Section 31B (conciliation services) shall cease to have effect.
s.sch003 In section 49D(5) for “Disability Rights Commission” substitute “ Commission...
s.sch003 Sections 49E and 49F (public authorities: enforcement) shall cease to...
s.sch003 (1) The Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 shall be...
s.sch003 Section 49H (let property: conciliation of disputes) shall cease to...
s.sch003 Section 49I (conciliation of disputes: rented housing in Scotland) shall...
s.sch003 Section 53A (codes of practice) shall cease to have effect....
s.sch003 In section 67(5)(b) (regulations and orders) omit the words “53A(6)(a)”....
s.sch003 In section 68(1) (interpretation), in the definition of “regulations” omit...
s.sch003 In section 70(5A) for “7B, 49G, 49H and 53A(1D) and...
s.sch003 (1) For paragraph 6(2) of Schedule 3 (enforcement) substitute—
s.sch003 After section 21(1)(gb) of the Employment Tribunals Act 1996 (jurisdiction...
s.sch003 In section 8A(4)(a) of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996,...
s.sch003 The Disability Rights Commission Act 1999 shall cease to have...
s.sch003 The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 shall be amended as follows....
s.sch003 In Part VI of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of...
s.sch003 In Schedule 4 to the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act...
s.sch003 In paragraph 8(e) of Schedule 5 to the Housing (Scotland)...
s.sch003 In each of the following provisions of the Housing (Scotland)...
s.sch003 In section 37(3) (discriminatory practices) for “sections 67 to 71...
s.sch003 At the end of section 38 (discriminatory advertisements) add—
s.sch003 At the end of section 39 (instructions to discriminate (which...

Help complying

Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.

Responding to a harassment complaint

Step-by-step guidance for employers handling harassment complaints under ERA 2025 rules, including third-party harassment. Covers immediate response, investigation, and follow-up.

Understanding the Employment Rights Act 2025

Comprehensive walkthrough of all Employment Rights Act 2025 reforms for employers wanting to understand the full scope of changes. Covers day-one rights, …
1 more guide that reference this instrument
Prevent workplace harassment

Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.