Explanatory Notes

Equality Act 2006

2006 CHAPTER 3

16 February 2006

The Act

11.The Act is in five Parts and has four Schedules.

12.Part 1 including Schedules 1, 2 and 3 establishes the CEHR and sets out its duties, general powers, enforcement powers and the interpretation of this Part of the Act. Dissolution of the existing equality Commissions is also covered in this Part of the Act.

13.Part 2 sets out provisions prohibiting discrimination on grounds of religion or belief in the provision of goods, facilities and services, education, the use and disposal of premises and the exercise of public functions.

14.Part 3 allows provision to be made by regulations prohibiting discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services, education, the use and disposal of premises and the exercise of public functions.

15.Part 4 sets out provisions prohibiting sex discrimination in the exercise of public functions and creates a duty on all public authorities to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment and to promote equality of opportunity between women and men.

16.Part 5 including Schedule 4 contains general supplementary material including repeals, Crown application, commencement and extent.