This Technical Bulletin outlines the process of transition from the current Version 1 (V1) of the Forensic Science Regulator Code of Practice (FSR CoP) to Version 2 (V2).
The draft V2 of the FSR CoP has now been debated in both Houses of Parliament and will soon be formally published.
The date that this version will come into force has been indicated as 2 October 2025 when it replaces V1.
Forensic units that have already demonstrated compliance with FSR CoP V1 and have this included on their UKAS schedules of accreditation will be able to request assessment for transition to V2 prior to this coming into force, therefore allowing these qualifying organisations to demonstrate compliance for their current scopes of accreditation as detailed on their UKAS schedules of accreditation at the time that V2 comes into force.
Transition process
The UKAS transition process from FSR CoP V1 to V2 will review the changes within the ‘Core Code’. In addition, where the forensic unit’s schedule of accreditation includes Human DNA Examination, there will also be some consideration of related FSA specific requirements. However, the FSA specific requirements for S5A Toxicology, Friction Ridge Detail Comparison and Incident Scene Examination will not form part of this initial transition, even if these activities are on the schedule of accreditation (as the date for compliance with these FSA specific requirements is in the future) and will be the subject of further communication at a later date.
As with the previous FSR CoP transition, UKAS will undertake the assessment of compliance through a desktop review utilising a Transition Template. This Transition Template requests forensic units to demonstrate that certain key changes have been addressed, this will be through outlining the changes that have been made and / or through the provision of associated documentation.
UKAS will provide the Transition Template to all qualifying forensic units by 23 May 2025.
This will allow time for forensic units to conduct a full review of the FSR CoP V2 and identify the changes required to their management systems and subsequently update and implement related policies and procedures.
The completed Transition Templates will be required to be returned to UKAS by 21 July 2025 to allow time to for UKAS to conduct the desktop reviews of all qualifying forensic units.
Assessment efforts
The assessment effort required to undertake the desktop assessment for transition from V1 to V2 will vary depending on the complexity and size of the scope of accreditation. The efforts required for a specific organisation will be confirmed upon receipt of the Transition Template and communicated to the forensic unit at that time. It is currently anticipated that the effort will be between 1.5 and 2.0 days.
Schedule of accreditation
The UKAS schedule of accreditation produced as a result of the transition to V2 will include the version number of the FSR CoP to reflect that organisations have successfully transitioned. In addition, the schedules will be updated to reflect where relevant FSA specific requirements have also been met. This change to the schedule format is required as several FSA specific requirements, as mentioned above, have future compliance dates and therefore will not be reviewed as part of the initial transition.
If a forensic unit has not completed the transition from FSR CoP V1 to V2 before the date V2 comes into force, any reference to the FSR CoP will be removed from its schedule.
Grant of transition
The outcome of the desktop assessment will be independently reviewed by a UKAS decision-maker to ensure an appropriate and robust assessment has been conducted. UKAS will inform the forensic unit, at this point, if compliance to the FSR CoP V2 has been demonstrated or if this is subject to the review of evidence required to support any findings that may have been raised.
It has been agreed with the Forensic Science Regulator that the grant of accreditation for qualifying organisations that have demonstrated compliance and successfully transitioned to V2 of the FSR CoP will be made on the 1 October 2025. Any forensic units that have not successfully completed the transition at that time will continue to be progressed and their grant of transition will be completed once their compliance is demonstrated.
Inclusion of V2 in assessments post submission of the Transition Template
Any UKAS assessments (surveillance, reassessment, or extension to scope) that are completed following the submission of the Transition Template by a forensic unit may review the implementation of the documentation provided for the transition and will include assessment with the relevant aspects of the FSR CoP (including relevant FSA specific requirements) for the activities listed on the forensic units UKAS schedule of accreditation.
Forensic organisations that do not currently have the FSR Code of Practice on their schedules
Forensic organisations that have yet to include the FSR CoP V1 on their scope and therefore have not qualified to take part in this transition can apply for an extension to scope to include FSR CoP V2 by submitting (as applicable) an AC2 or AC4 application form. Such applications will be progressed from the 21 July 2025.
If you have any queries in relation to the above, please contact your Assessment Manager or Katherine Monnery (Accreditation Specialist Forensics) at [email protected].
Download this Technical Bulletin as a pdf here.