Commentary on Sections Part 3 - Health Research ethics committees Section 113 – Approval of research
710.At present the Department of Health issues policy guidance on RECs (the GAfREC document) which sets out when the Department considers it is good practice or legislation requires them to seek approval of research by a REC, or where legislation requires the researcher to do so. Subsection (1) of this section requires the HRA to publish guidance setting out when it considers it good practice to seek approval of research by a REC.
711.Subsection (2) requires the HRA to consult the devolved authorities and other people it considers appropriate, and obtain approval of the Secretary of State before publishing guidance. Where the HRA revises its guidance, and it considers the revisions significant, it must consult and seek approval from the Secretary of State before publishing the revised guidance (subsection (3)).
712.Subsection (4) introduces Schedule 8, which contains amendments relating to references to RECs in secondary legislation.