Equality Act 2010

Section 107

SCHEDULE 16 Associations: exceptions

Single characteristic associations

1 (1) An association does not contravene section 101(1) by restricting membership to persons who share a protected characteristic.

(2) An association that restricts membership to persons who share a protected characteristic does not breach section 101(3) by restricting the access by associates to a benefit, facility or service to such persons as share the characteristic.

(3) An association that restricts membership to persons who share a protected characteristic does not breach section 102(1) by inviting as guests, or by permitting to be invited as guests, only such persons as share the characteristic.

(4) Sub-paragraphs (1) to (3), so far as relating to race, do not apply in relation to colour.

(5) This paragraph does not apply to an association that is a registered political party.

Health and safety

2 (1) An association (A) does not discriminate against a pregnant woman in contravention of section 101(1)(b) because she is pregnant if—

(a) the terms on which A is prepared to admit her to membership include a term intended to remove or reduce a risk to her health or safety,

(b) A reasonably believes that admitting her to membership on terms which do not include that term would create a risk to her health or safety,

(c) the terms on which A is prepared to admit persons with other physical conditions to membership include a term intended to remove or reduce a risk to their health or safety, and

(d) A reasonably believes that admitting them to membership on terms which do not include that term would create a risk to their health or safety.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) applies to section 102(1)(b) as it applies to section 101(1)(b); and for that purpose a reference to admitting a person to membership is to be read as a reference to inviting the person as a guest or permitting the person to be invited as a guest.

(3) An association (A) does not discriminate against a pregnant woman in contravention of section 101(2)(a) or (3)(a) or 102(2)(a) because she is pregnant if—

(a) the way in which A affords her access to a benefit, facility or service is intended to remove or reduce a risk to her health or safety,

(b) A reasonably believes that affording her access to the benefit, facility or service otherwise than in that way would create a risk to her health or safety,

(c) A affords persons with other physical conditions access to the benefit, facility or service in a way that is intended to remove or reduce a risk to their health or safety, and

(d) A reasonably believes that affording them access to the benefit, facility or service otherwise than in that way would create a risk to their health or safety.

(4) An association (A) which does not afford a pregnant woman access to a benefit, facility or service does not discriminate against her in contravention of section 101(2)(a) or (3)(a) or 102(2)(a) because she is pregnant if—

(a) A reasonably believes that affording her access to the benefit, facility or service would, because she is pregnant, create a risk to her health or safety,

(b) A does not afford persons with other physical conditions access to the benefit, facility or service, and

(c) the reason for not doing so is that A reasonably believes that affording them access to the benefit, facility or service would create a risk to their health or safety.

(5) An association (A) does not discriminate against a pregnant woman under section 101(2)(c) or (3)(c) because she is pregnant if—

(a) the variation of A’s terms of membership, or rights as an associate, is intended to remove or reduce a risk to her health or safety,

(b) A reasonably believes that not making the variation to A’s terms or rights would create a risk to her health or safety,

(c) A varies the terms of membership, or rights as an associate, of persons with other physical conditions,

(d) the variation of their terms or rights is intended to remove or reduce a risk to their health or safety, and

(e) A reasonably believes that not making the variation to their terms or rights would create a risk to their health or safety.