The Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act aims to harmonise and clarify existing equality legislation in the UK. Introduced in October 2010, it brings together pre-existing legislation on discrimination and equality, as well as introducing some new provisions to address outstanding discrimination issues and promote equality.

​

The Act repealed and replaced all existing equality legislation, including:

​

• The Equal Pay Act 1970

• The Sex Discrimination Act 1975

• The Race Relations Act 1976

• The Disability Discrimination Act 1995

• The Employment Equality (Religion and Belief) Regulations 2003

• The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003

• The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006

• The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007

​

​

The Act places an obligation on service providers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for disabled people so they can access the service provider’s goods, facilities and services.

​

Making reasonable adjustments may involve a restaurant producing a large-print menu for customers with sight impairments or a business making changes to their premises to accommodate wheelchair users.