Division 72
Scientific Research
Requirements for all scientific research
These requirements apply to all business activities in this division.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 — general duties
Enforced by HSE
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
General duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and others affected by the business — laboratories, field work, offices. Devolved: parallel Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.
Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance)
Enforced by HSE
Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969
Required for any business employing at least one person.
UK GDPR + Data Protection Act 2018
Enforced by ICO
Data Protection Act 2018; UK GDPR (retained EU law)
R&D organisations process personal data (staff, research participants, collaborators). The DPA 2018 provides specific research and statistics provisions in Schedule 2, Part 6, paragraph 27. ICO registration applies unless exempt.
Equality Act 2010 — protected characteristics
Enforced by EHRC
Equality Act 2010
No discrimination, harassment or victimisation in employment or in the provision of services across the nine protected characteristics.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Enforced by LOCAL_FIRE_AUTHORITY
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The 'responsible person' must carry out a fire risk assessment and maintain fire safety arrangements for the premises — particularly relevant where laboratories store flammable or reactive substances. Devolved: Fire (Scotland) Act 2005; Fire and Rescue Services (NI) Order 2006.