Care Act 2014

114 Recognition by the HRA

(1) The HRA may, on an application made by or on behalf of a group of persons, recognise the group as a research ethics committee which is capable of—

(a) approving research of the kind referred to in section 113(1), and

(b) giving such other approvals as enactments require.

(2) The HRA may not recognise a group under this section unless it is satisfied that—

(a) the group will, if recognised, comply with the requirements set out in the REC policy document, and

(b) there is or will be a demand for such a group.

(3) In deciding whether to recognise a group under this section, the HRA must have regard to whether the group is recognised as a research ethics committee by or on behalf of a devolved authority.

(4) The HRA may do anything (including providing financial assistance) to help a group wishing to be recognised under this section to reach a position from which it should be able to make an application for recognition under this section that is likely to succeed.

(5) The HRA may revoke a recognition under this section if it is satisfied that—

(a) the group to which the recognition applies is not complying with the requirements specified in the REC policy document,

(b) the group is not (or is not properly) carrying out its function of assessing the ethical aspects of research, or

(c) revocation is necessary or desirable for some other reason.

(6) A group in existence immediately before the commencement of section 109, and established or recognised by or on behalf of the old Health Research Authority, or by or on behalf of the Secretary of State, as a research ethics committee which assesses health or social care research is to be regarded as recognised by the HRA under this section.

(7) The reference in subsection (6) to the old Health Research Authority is a reference to the Special Health Authority called the Health Research Authority (and abolished by section 109).