Directions

Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, we have the power to issue Directions - or rules. Directions can be 'general' which apply to all clinics and centres, or 'special' which apply to individual licensed clinics/centres.

General Directions are issued when we need to change a procedure or practice in light of new evidence, a series of incidents or external guidance. Each General Direction covers an area of practice, for example there is a General Direction covering the provision of information to us, and another General Direction covering record retention.

Special Directions are issued to a specific clinic/centre and often for a limited period of time. They're issued when our inspectors become aware of a localised issue or if a clinic/centre applies to us for Special Directions, for example, for the import or export of sperm, eggs or embryos.

Clinics are required to comply with Directions; if they fail to do so this would be a breach of a statutory licence condition, which might lead to the variation, suspension or revocation of a clinic's licence.

Directions are normally sent to clinics by our Chair, accompanied by a Chair's Letter that explains the reasoning behind them.