The Commission shall maintain a code of practice for the promotion of equality of opportunity and publish the code as for the time being in force.

The Commission shall take such steps as it considers necessary to publicise the code.

The Commission and the Department shall each take such steps as they consider necessary to encourage employers and vocational organisations in Northern Ireland to adopt the policies and practices recommended in the code.

Where the Commission, in carrying out its functions under this Act, is considering whether or not action is required for promoting equality of opportunity, it shall have such regard to the recommendations contained in the code as it considers proper in all the circumstances.

A failure on the part of any person to observe any provision of the code shall not of itself render him liable to any proceedings; but if, in any proceedings under the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Acts before the Tribunal, any provision of the code appears to the Tribunal to be relevant to any question arising in the proceedings it shall be taken into account in determining that question.