On 6 April 2006, the CRE's new statutory code of practice on racial equality in employment took legal effect in England, Scotland and Wales.

This new code has replaced the CRE's original code of practice (the Code of Practice For The Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Promotion of Equality of Opportunity) published in 1984.

It is a set of recommendations and guidance on how to avoid unlawful racial discrimination and harassment in employment. It outlines employers' legal obligations under the Race Relations Act 1976 and contains general advice on the policies they will need to safeguard against discrimination and harassment, as well as more detailed recommendations on the procedures and practice that will help ensure fair and equal treatment for everyone.

Employment tribunals will take the code's recommendations into account as evidence in any legal proceedings brought on or after 6 April 2006 under the Race Relations Act.

The code is available in English and Welsh. You can download it as an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file by clicking on the link below:

• Statutory Code of Practice on Racial Equality in Employment (pdf, 248kb)
• Cd Ymarfer Statudol ar Gydraddoldeb Hiliol mewn Cyflogaeth (pdf, 251kb)

The full text of the code is also available as a series of web pages on this site:

• Online edition of the code

The new code: your questions answered

The link below answers some commonly-asked questions about the purpose and scope of the new code, and the legal principles on which it is based:

• Your questions answered

Organising an event or conference?

If you are organising a conference for the private or voluntary sectors and would like to cover the revised code, the CRE may be able to help by providing a speaker.

You can make a request via our online form.

Please note: We cannot guarantee that we will be able to supply a speaker for your event, but we will make every effort to accommodate requests wherever possible.

• Tell us about your event

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