Forensic Science Regulator Code of Practice Compliance

Is your forensic service compliant with the new Regulator's codes?

As of July 2025, the Forensic Science Regulator is transitioning to a new Code of Practice, which will come into effect on 2 October 2025, enhancing quality standards for forensic science services in the UK. Gaining accreditation to the code and ISO 17025 is challenging, and non-compliance risks evidence being ruled inadmissible as well as undermining confidence.

If your forensic team provides evidence to the Criminal Justice System in any capacity, you need accreditation.

Real-world Case Studies

Government Q&A: Elevated Scrutiny of Non‑Code Evidence

At the Forensic Science Regulator’s 2023 Conference, it was emphasised that if a case hinges on evidence not compliant with the statutory FSR Code, the reliability of that evidence is subject to far greater scrutiny in court, even if not automatically excluded. This official Q&A affirms that courts will assess weight, not just admissibility, when compliance is absent.
Source: GOV.UK: FSR 2023 Conference Q&A

CPS Guidance: Compliance Influences Evidential Reliability

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, non-adherence to the statutory FSR Code does not automatically render evidence inadmissible, but prosecutors must explicitly consider whether non-compliance reduces its weight or reliability. Courts may still accept the evidence, but expect justification and clarification on compliance status.
Source: CPS: Guidance on FSR Act & Code Compliance

Parliamentary Submission: Accreditation Gaps Undermine Assurance

Written evidence submitted to Parliament by the FSR highlighted that many forensic providers lacked ISO 17025 accreditation and failed to validate methods in line with the Code. These systemic failures – detailed in annexes to the submission – were found to directly diminish confidence in forensic outputs and prompt elevated judicial scrutiny.
Source: Forensic Science Regulator Submission to Parliament (September 2018)

How Meridian Edge Can Help

Meridian Edge supports forensic units on their full journey to ISO 17025 and FSR Code compliance, from initial gap analysis to audit readiness. We act as both a strategic thinking partner and technical guide, offering pre-assessment walkthroughs, documentation reviews, and mock UKAS audits tailored to your operational context. Our Principal Consultant has successfully led two national digital forensic teams through accreditation and serves as a UKAS Technical Assessor, bringing insider insight into what assessors expect, and how to exceed it.

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