The Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) comes into being on 1 October 2007.

As from 1 October 2007, the CEHR replaces the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) and Disability Rights Commission (DRC) and take over their functions in respect of sex, race and disability discrimination.

The CEHR will also promote equality and combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, religion or belief and age. In addition, it will be responsible for promoting the awareness, understanding and protection of human rights.

The CEHR is to be established ahead of the publication of the government’s proposed Single Equality Bill. This Bill will aim to simplify and reform discrimination law by bringing more than 100 pieces of legislation into one Act and by making changes designed to modernise the law and make it more effective.

You can read about these proposals and EEF’s response to them here. One of the CEHR’s first major jobs is likely to be the publication of guidance for employers on the new Act.