The Age Regulations - Overview

The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 (as they are properly known) came into effect in the UK on 1st October 2006.

The Regulations transpose into UK law the EU Equal Treatment Directive of November 2000 which committed Member States to legislate on age, disability, sexual orientation, religion and belief.

Prior to this legislation the UK had a voluntary Code of Good Practice on age introduced by the Government in 1999 (see www.agepositive.org.uk)

The Regulations only apply to employment and vocational training.  They do not cover any age discrimination which arises in the provision of goods, facilities or services, nor do they place a duty on public sector employers to promote age equality.