This Technical Bulletin outlines the process of transition to Version 2 (V2) of the Forensic Science Regulator Code of Practice (FSR CoP) for FSA – DTN 102: Toxicology: analysis for drugs in relation to s5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
V2 of the FSR CoP came into effect on 2nd October 2025 and forensic units have now transitioned, as appropriate to their schedule, to the new version.
The transition focused on the most significant changes made in V2, covering the core Code (Parts A, B and C) and any aspects relevant to the current scope of the forensic unit in the FSA Specific Requirements (Part D3), with the exception of three FSAs.
During the creation of V2 the Forensic Science Regulator took the opportunity to make significant amendments to these three FSA’s: Incident Examination (FSA – INC 100); Friction Ridge Detail Comparison (FSA – MTP 101) and s5A Drugs Driving Analysis (FSA – DTN 102). The transition of each of these did not happen as part of the initial transition as they will require additional effort from forensic units to ensure their quality management systems are updated to meet the changes in the required scope of accreditation and the introduction of new regulatory requirements. Therefore, each of these FSA’s have been given separate consideration with regards to transition to V2 of the Code and new dates for when compliance in each FSA is to be achieved.
Forensic units that undertake FSA – DTN 102 are now able to request assessment for transition to V2 of the FSA specific requirements: DTN 102, therefore allowing these qualifying organisations to demonstrate compliance to the FSA specific requirements when it comes into force on 6 April 2026.
Transition process
The UKAS transition process to FSR CoP V2 for FSA – DTN 102 will review the changes within the FSA specific requirements for Toxicology: analysis for drugs in relation to s5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Given the amendments to the Code for this FSA, UKAS will undertake the assessment of compliance through a scheduled on-site assessment and utilising a Transition Template. The 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. The Transition Template must be submitted to UKAS in advance of the on-site visit as detailed below.
UKAS will provide the Transition Template to all qualifying forensic units by 14 November 2025.
This will allow time for forensic units to conduct a full review of the FSR CoP V2, focusing on FSA – DTN 102 specific requirements and associated FSR notification regarding “principles of cocaine contamination guidance”, 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 ahead of the on-site visit and by 14 December 2025.
Assessment efforts
The assessment effort required to undertake the assessment for transition to V2 for FSA – DTN 102 will vary depending on the complexity and size of the scope of the forensic unit. 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 and 2 days.
Schedule of accreditation
The UKAS schedule of accreditation produced as a result of the transition to V2 for FSA – DTN 102 will include the version number of the FSR CoP against this FSA to reflect that the organisation has successfully transitioned. In addition, the schedule of accreditation will be updated to reflect the sub-activities of this FSA as outlined in the Code.
Grant of transition
The outcome of the transition 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 for this FSA 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 for FSA – DTN 102 will be made on the 6 April 2026. 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; however, until this point, compliance to this FSA will not be reflected on the forensic unit’s schedule of accreditation.
If you have any queries in relation to the above, please contact your Assessment Manager or Philip Avenell (Accreditation Specialist Forensics) at [email protected].
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