Science Legislation

Laws governing scientific research, funding, ethics, and implementation of scientific discoveries.

The Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) (Amendment) Order 2026

Updated the list of bodies to which workers can legally submit protected whistleblowing disclosures from 2 June 2026.


This Order updates the list of 'prescribed persons' under the Employment Rights Act 1996, granting legal protection to workers who blow the whistle to designated regulators and public bodies.

It adds the Building Safety Regulator, the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, the Independent Football Regulator, the Law Society, the Security Industry Authority, and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to the list.

Furthermore, it modifies the scope of protected disclosures for the Financial Conduct Authority, the Environment Agency, and several government departments while removing the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland.

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The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (Fees) Order 2026

Published: Mon 16th Mar 26

The Order specifies fixed and variable fee increases for licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and revokes the 2024 Fees Order, effective April 6, 2026.


This Statutory Instrument, made by the Secretary of State under the powers conferred by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, sets the new fees applicable for licence holders involved in scientific procedures using animals, effective from 6th April 2026 across England, Wales, and Scotland; specifically, it revokes the 2024 Fees Order and establishes a revised fee structure composed of a fixed element (£1168) and a variable element (£382 per relevant personal licence holder).

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The Treasury substituted the Schedule of the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Estimates and Accounts) Order 2025 with a revised list of designated bodies affecting supply estimates for the financial year ending March 31, 2026.


This Order, made by HM Treasury under the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000, revises the list of designated central government bodies for the purpose of calculating supply estimates and resource accounts for the financial year ending March 31, 2026.

Specifically, it substitutes the entire Schedule of the principal Order (The Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Estimates and Accounts) Order 2025) with an updated list organized by government department, adding, renaming, or removing various public sector bodies.

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The Meteorological Office Trading Fund (Maximum Borrowing) (Revocation and Saving) Order 2025

Published: Mon 14th Jul 25

The Order revoked the 2024 amendment to the Meteorological Office Trading Fund's borrowing limit, while preserving the amended £400,000,000 limit.


The Meteorological Office Trading Fund (Maximum Borrowing) (Revocation and Saving) Order 2025 revokes the 2024 Order that increased the Meteorological Office's borrowing limit to £400,000,000.

However, this revocation includes a saving provision that maintains the £400,000,000 limit.

The 2024 Order was laid before both Houses of Parliament, despite only needing House of Commons approval; this Order corrects that procedural error while preventing any reduction in the borrowing ceiling.

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The Antarctic (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The 2025 regulations amended Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 of the 1995 Antarctic Regulations, updating the lists of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas and Antarctic Historic Sites and Monuments, respectively.


The Antarctic (Amendment) Regulations 2025 revise the 1995 Antarctic Regulations to reflect decisions from four recent Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings.

The regulations update the lists of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) and Antarctic Historic Sites and Monuments (AHSMs), adding new sites and revising existing descriptions.

Several ASPAs and AHSMs have been removed, with revised descriptions provided for others.

New sites are added, along with updated geographical coordinates and descriptions that improve management and conservation.

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The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2025

Specific sections of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 relating to precision-bred plants were brought into force in England, Wales, and Scotland.


These regulations, effective November 13, 2025, activate parts of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.

The Act governs the release and sale of precision-bred organisms, specifically focusing on plants within England, Wales, and Scotland.

The regulations specify which sections of the Act come into force, primarily those concerning the release, marketing, risk assessment, and production of food from precision-bred plants, and their enforcement.

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The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Engineering College of Technology Limited) Order 2025

The Office for Students authorized Engineering College of Technology Limited to grant taught awards up to the master's level in engineering and technology subjects for a fixed term.


The Power to Award Degrees etc. (Engineering College of Technology Limited) Order 2025 authorizes Engineering College of Technology Limited to grant taught awards up to the master's level in specified engineering and technology subjects.

The authorization, effective April 1, 2025, and expiring April 1, 2029, follows advice from the relevant body and is based on the Higher Education and Research Act 2017.

The Order lists specific subjects covered and requires that award recipients be enrolled at the college at the time of course completion.

An impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to the lack of impact on businesses, civil society organizations, or the public sector.

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The Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The regulations amended existing legislation concerning persistent organic pollutants, updating concentration limits and exemptions, and adding several new substances to relevant annexes.


The Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on persistent organic pollutants.

Key changes include updated concentration limits and exemptions for several substances in Annexes 1, 4, and 5, reflecting changes to the Stockholm Convention and international best practices.

The amendments add new substances, including Dechlorane Plus, Methoxychlor, and UV-328, to Annex 1 and update waste management provisions and derogations for several substances in Annexes 4 and 5.

A de minimis assessment indicates minimal overall economic impact.

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