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Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees

The Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees (The Code) is aimed at committees, their chairs, members and secretariats and provides a framework for scientific advisory committees to operate within. It addresses all aspects of a committee's work including its role and remit, responsibilities of members, chairs and secretariats, working practices, publication of documents and public consultation. The Code ensures that high levels of openness and transparency are maintained throughout the vast network of relationships between Scientific Advisory Committees and Government.

In reply to recommendations in the Seventh Report of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee on Scientific Advice, Risk and Evidence Based Policy Making, the Government has committed to update the Code by the end of 2007, to reflect developments in areas such as the role of lay members. OSI launched a consultation on 25 June 2007 to invite views about updating the Code. The consultation closes on 16 September 2007.