List of UK regulators

The list of regulators contains UK bodies that can be considered to have statutory regulatory functions.

From:: Department for Business and Trade
Published: 4 March 2026
Last updated: 31 March 2026 — See all updates

Documents

ODS, 33 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

The list of regulators seeks to provide clarity on regulatory bodies to improve user journeys for regulated entities. For the purposes of this list, we are using a broad definition of 鈥榬egulator鈥� to include bodies that exercise statutory regulatory functions. We have included bodies that perform regulatory functions in the UK: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The regulatory bodies listed exercise statutory regulatory functions that are created in legislation.聽 This may include the setting of standards, inspection and enforcement of compliance with regulations,聽licensing or granting聽of certification聽for certain activities.

The list is non-exhaustive and is provided for general information purposes only. The list has no legal status and carries no legal effect.

The version of the list of regulators was published in March 2026 and will be subject to regular review. We would welcome any feedback regarding inclusions, exclusions or corrections by email to regulation.briefings-correspondence@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

We also have a separate list of UK regulated professions and their regulators.

Regulator	Purpose
	Provides assurance that civil servants are selected on merit on the basis of fair and open competition to help safeguard an impartial Civil Service, and provides advice on applications from senior civil servants and special advisers under the Business Appointment Rules.
	Regulates the processes by which ministers make appointments to the boards of national and regional public bodies. The commissioner aims to ensure that such appointments are made on merit after a fair, open and transparent process.
	The UK鈥檚 independent public spending watchdog, supports Parliament in holding government to account and improves public services through our audits.
	Promotes and enforces equality and non-discrimination laws in England, Scotland and Wales.

Regulator	Purpose
	Global professional accounting body offering the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification. Regulatory functions delegated from Financial Reporting Council.
	Global body for professional accountants. Regulatory functions delegated from Financial Reporting Council.
British Hallmarking Council (to be abolished 鈥� its functions will be consolidated to the Department for Business and Trade)	Supervises the hallmarking activities of the 4 assay offices in the UK to ensure there is adequate provision of hallmarking in the UK. On 21 October 2025, the government announced that it will be abolished and its functions will be consolidated to the Department for Business and Trade, as parliamentary time allows.
Companies House	Official registrar of companies, responsible for incorporating and dissolving limited companies, as well as maintaining public records of company information.
	Specialist judicial body with cross-disciplinary expertise in law, economics, business and accountancy to hear and decide cases involving competition or economic regulatory issues.
Competition and Markets Authority	Promotes competitive markets and tackles unfair behaviour.
Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (to be abolished 鈥� to become part of 鈥楩air Work Agency鈥� following the Employment Rights Bill)	Protects the rights of agency workers by ensuring that employment agencies and businesses treat their workers fairly.
	Regulates auditors, accountants and actuaries, and set the UK鈥檚 Corporate Governance and Stewardship Code.
Groceries Code Adjudicator	Enforces the Groceries Supply Code of Practice and regulates the relationship between supermarkets and their direct suppliers within the UK.
	Authorises and regulates insolvency practitioners in the UK under insolvency legislation and supervises members鈥� compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) requirements. It undertakes monitoring, education, professional events, and stakeholder engagement, and works with relevant authorities and professional bodies, including the Insolvency Service and the Office for Professional Body AML Supervision Regulations (OPBAS).
Insolvency Service	Administers compulsory company liquidations and personal bankruptcies, investigates serious financial misconduct in companies, supports individuals who are subject to bankruptcy or debt relief orders and in companies, acts as oversight regulator for the insolvency profession, and issues payments from the National Insurance Fund to the former employees of insolvent employers.
	Global professional body for chartered accountants (also regulates insolvency practitioners in the UK, Probate Practitioners, Insolvency Practitioners,Statutory Auditors and Administers of Oaths in the England and Wales). Regulatory functions delegated from Financial Reporting Council. It also provides anti-money laundering supervision to its members to ensure compliance with regulations.
Office for Product Safety and Standards	Protects people and places from product-related harm, ensuring consumers and businesses can buy and sell products with confidence.
Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies (to be abolished and merged into Companies House)	Decides whether an organisation is eligible to become, or continue to be, a community interest company.
Pubs Code Adjudicator	Enforces the statutory Pubs Code, which regulates the relationship between all pub companies owning 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales and their tied tenants.
	Issues and administers the Takeover Code, supervises and regulates takeovers and other matters to which the Code applies.

Regulator	Purpose
	Responsible for the national classification and censorship of films exhibited at cinemas and video works.
Charity Commission for England and Wales	Registers and regulates charities in England and Wales, to make sure that the public can support charities with confidence.
	Licenses, regulates, advises and provides guidance to individuals and businesses that offer gambling in Great Britain, including the National Lottery in the UK.
	Responsible for the national classification and censorship of physical copies of video games.
	Champions and protects England鈥檚 historic places and provides expert advice to government to ensure our historic environment is properly understood, enjoyed and cared for.
	Protects and promotes the sustainability of English football, for the benefit of fans and the local communities that football clubs serve.
	Advises on safety at sports grounds and oversees local authorities in safety certification.

Regulator	Purpose
	Sets requirements that registered higher education providers must meet for teaching quality, student outcomes, equality of access and participation.
Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation)	Regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England and maintains qualification standards.
Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children鈥檚 Services and Skills)	Inspects services providing education and skills for learners of all ages and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people.
	Regulates and sets standards for Social Workers in England.
Teaching Regulation Agency	Responsible for the regulation of the teaching profession, including taking action on allegations of serious misconduct.

Regulator	Purpose
Mining Remediation Authority (formerly Coal Authority)	Licenses coal mining in Great Britain and manages the legacy issues that have resulted from coal mining, including mine water pollution.
(formerly Oil and Gas Authority)	Regulates industries involved in oil and gas, offshore hydrogen and carbon storage.
Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning	Regulates environmental and decommissioning activity for offshore oil and gas operations, including carbon capture and storage operations, on the UK continental shelf.
(Office of Gas and Electricity Markets)	Regulates energy to make sure that energy customers are treated fairly and benefit from a cleaner, greener environment.

Regulator	Purpose
Animal and Plant Health Agency	Safeguards animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy.
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science	Prevents the introduction and spread of serious and emerging fish and shellfish disease by providing data and advice to the UK government and our overseas partners.
(to be consolidated into a new water regulator)	Provides independent reassurance that water supplies in England and Wales are safe, sufficient and drinking water quality is acceptable to consumers.
Environment Agency	Protects and improves the environment in England by regulating certain activities that have the potential to harm the environment and people. Regulatory activity includes fisheries, flood risk, agriculture and intensive farming, water resources, waste management, industrial processes, emissions trading, chemicals, control of major accident hazards, and much more.
Forestry Commission	Protects, expands and promotes the sustainable management of woodlands in England.
Marine Management Organisation	Protects and enhances the marine environment by enabling sustainable marine activities and development.
Natural England	Conserves, manages and enhances England鈥檚 natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
(to be consolidated into a new water regulator)	The economic regulator of the water sector in England and Wales.
Rural Payments Agency	Makes payments to farmers, traders and landowners and manages schemes to ensure a healthy rural economy and strong rural communities.
Veterinary Medicines Directorate	Regulates veterinary medicines, including their authorisation, sale, supply and use, in the UK.

Regulator	Purpose
	Upholds information rights in the public interest, overseeing the聽UK聽General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, Environmental Information Regulations, and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, amongst other pieces of legislation.
Intellectual Property Office	Operates and maintains the UK鈥檚 intellectual property system of patents, designs, trade marks and copyright. Small, specialised regulatory function overseeing 20 copyright collective licensing bodies.
	Regulates the UK鈥檚 communications industries, including broadcasting, telecommunications (broadband, mobile and fixed鈥憀ine services), postal services, and the use of radio spectrum, along with online services.

Regulator	Purpose
	UK鈥檚 aerospace regulator with functions relating to airspace, safety, security, consumer rights, spaceflight and economic regulation.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency	Maintains the registration and licensing of drivers and vehicles in Great Britain and collects and enforces vehicle tax.
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency	Improves driving and motorcycling standards, carries out theory and practical driving and riding tests and sets standards for education and training.
	Develops skills benchmarks and qualifications relevant to the modern automotive sector, oversees assessment and accredits individuals to operate in the sector.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency	Prevents the loss of life on the coast and at sea, produces legislation and guidance on maritime matters and certifies seafarers.聽Enforces standards for ship safety, security, pollution prevention and seafarer health, safety and welfare.
	Regulates the rail industry and monitors National Highways to protect the interests of rail and road users. Office of Rail and Road (ORR) improves the safety, value, and performance of railways and roads, today and in the future.
Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain	Regulates and licenses heavy good vehicle operators, bus and coach operators, regulates drivers who hold large goods or passenger carrying vehicle driving entitlement, and registers local bus services.
	Approves most categories of new vehicles and components from locations in the UK and overseas and is responsible for certification under UN and UK type approval schemes.

Regulator	Purpose
	Regulates workplace health and safety and prevents work-related death, injury and ill health. Responsible for chemicals regulation and building safety, through the new Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
	Regulates nuclear safety, civil nuclear security and safeguards and health and safety at the 35 licensed nuclear sites in Great Britain as well as the transport of civil nuclear and radioactive materials by road, rail and inland waterways.
	Protects workplace pensions in the UK.

Regulator	Purpose
	Regulates health and adult social care services in England. Ensures that health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and encourages care services to improve.
	Protects public health from risks arising from the consumption of food and protects the interests of consumers in relation to food.
	Regulates chiropractors in the UK to ensure the safety of patients undergoing chiropractic treatment.
	UK regulator for dental professionals, to protect patient safety and maintain public confidence in the dental professions.
	Makes sure that every doctor, physician associate (PA) and anaesthesia associate (AA) has the right knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience to work across the UK. Maintains official lists of these registered professionals.
	Regulator for the optical professions in the UK.
	Keeps the public register of osteopaths and promotes high standards of practice and conduct, setting standards for osteopathic education and training, investigating concerns about osteopaths, and protecting the osteopathic title from misuse.
	Responsible for the independent regulation of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises within England, Scotland and Wales.
	Protects the public by regulating 15 health and care professions in the UK.
	Protects and promotes the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research.
	Regulates fertility treatment and research using human embryos.
	Regulates organisations that remove, store and use human tissue for research, medical treatment, post-mortem examination, education and training, and display in public and gives approval for organ and bone marrow donations from living people.
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority	Regulates medicines, medical devices and blood components for transfusion in the UK.
	Provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care.
	Promotes high education and professional standards for nurses and midwives across the UK, and nursing associates in England. Maintains the register of professionals eligible to practise, and investigates concerns about nurses, midwives and nursing associates.

Regulator	Purpose
(AML supervisory function to be moved to FCA)	Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) enforces a code of ethics, investigates complaints, and licenses members offering bookkeeping or accounting services to clients, making it a form of professional regulation.聽It provides anti-money laundering supervision to its members.
(AML supervisory function to be moved to FCA)	Provides anti-money laundering supervision to its members who have businesses in the tax and accountancy sector to ensure compliance with regulations.
(including the Prudential Regulation Authority)	Maintains UK monetary and financial stability, including through setting monetary policy and regulating certain financial market infrastructure firms and payment systems.聽 Through the Prudential Regulation Authority, the Bank of England also sets and supervises prudential standards for banks, building societies, credit unions, insurers and major investment firms.
(AML supervisory function to be moved to FCA)	CIMA acts as a professional regulator for its members, setting ethical standards, enforcing a code of practice, and having disciplinary procedures.聽 It provides anti-money laundering supervision to its members to ensure compliance with regulations.
(AML supervisory function to be moved to FCA)	CIOT provides anti-money laundering supervision to its members who are tax practitioners to ensure compliance with regulations.
	Regulates the conduct of relevant financial services businesses in the UK, with objectives to make sure that financial markets work well, ensure appropriate consumer protection, enhance the integrity of the UK financial system, promote effective competition, and facilitate international competitiveness and growth of the UK economy.
(AML supervisory function to be moved to FCA)	IAB is a membership body for bookkeepers.聽 It provides anti-money laundering supervision to its members to ensure compliance with regulations.
(AML supervisory function to be moved to FCA)	ICB is a membership body for bookkeepers.聽 It provides anti-money laundering supervision to its members to ensure compliance with regulations.
(AML supervisory function to be moved to FCA)	IFA is an accountancy supervisory body that provides anti-money laundering supervision to its members to ensure compliance with regulations.
(to be abolished and consolidated into Financial Conduct Authority)	Regulates payment systems and participants in those payment systems, with objectives to promote competition, innovation and the interests of the users of services provided by payment systems.

Regulator	Purpose
Animals in Science Regulation Unit	Administers and enforces the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which protects the use of animals in scientific research.
Disclosure and Barring Service	Enables organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to make safer recruitment decisions by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable for certain work, especially involving children or vulnerable adults, and provides wider access to criminal record information through its disclosure service for England and Wales.
Forensic Science Regulator	Makes sure that the provision of forensic science across the criminal justice system is subject to an appropriate regime of scientific quality standards.
(to be abolished 鈥� will become part of 鈥楩air Work Agency鈥� following Employment Rights Bill)	Investigates labour exploitation in England and Wales and works with partners to target, dismantle and disrupt serious and organised crime across the UK.
Immigration Advice Authority	Regulates immigration advisers; ensuring they are fit, competent and act in their clients鈥� best interests.
	Police complaints watchdog for England and Wales. Investigates the most serious matters, including deaths following police contact and sets the standards by which the police should handle complaints.
Security Industry Authority	Regulates the UK鈥檚 private security industry and activities such as cash and valuable in transit, close protection, door supervision, public space surveillance (CCTV), security guarding and key holding.

Regulator	Purpose
Defence Safety Authority	The independent regulator, investigator, and assurer for health, safety and environmental protection in defence and the overarching body for the Ministry of Defence鈥檚 safety regulators. It regulates across the air, land, maritime, nuclear, medical, fire, ordnance and munitions, and environmental protection domains.

Regulator	Purpose
	Regulates the Architect鈥檚 Profession in the UK.
Building Safety Regulator	Sets out rules to protect the design and construction of higher-risk buildings.
HM Land Registry	Registers the ownership of land and property in England and Wales.
Regulator of Social Housing	Regulates for a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver more and better social homes. It does this by setting standards and carrying out robust regulation focusing on driving improvement in social landlords, including local authorities, and ensuring that housing associations are well-governed, financially viable and offer value for money.

Regulator	Purpose
	Regulates barristers and specialised legal services businesses in England and Wales.
	Regulates chartered legal executives, firms, and ACCA accountants carrying out probate services.
	Regulates costs lawyers in England and Wales
	Regulates specialist conveyancing and probate lawyer in England and Wales.
	Regulates patent and trade mark attorneys.
	Oversight regulator of the legal services regulators in England and Wales.
	Regulates the notarial profession in England and Wales.
	Regulates all solicitors and most law firms in England and Wales.

Regulator	Purpose
	Inspects the operation of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
	Regulates and administers the business costs and decides the pay and pensions of the 650 elected MPs and their staff in the UK.

Northern Ireland regulatory bodies

Regulator	Purpose
	Enforces building regulations in Northern Ireland, ensuring buildings are designed and constructed in accordance with standards for health, safety, welfare, convenience, conservation of fuel and power, and prevention of waste, pollution and nuisance.
	Regulates charities operating in Northern Ireland.
	Professional body for Chartered Accountants in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
	Regulates drinking water quality in Northern Ireland, ensuring that water supplies meet regulatory standards and are safe for public consumption.
	Responsible for vehicle testing, driver licencing, driver testing, and enforcement of vehicle standards in Northern Ireland.
	Provides inspection services and information about the quality of education and training provision across all sectors of education in Northern Ireland, including schools, further education, work-based learning, and youth services.
	Regulates employment agencies and employment businesses in Northern Ireland, ensuring compliance with employment agency legislation and protecting the rights of agency workers.
	Provides protection against discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, race, religion and political opinion, sex and sexual orientation.
	Enforces fisheries legislation in Northern Ireland to ensure sustainable fisheries management, monitors fishing activities, and conducts inspections of fishing vessels and seafood businesses.
	Manages forests in Northern Ireland, regulates forestry activities, and enforces forestry legislation to ensure sustainable forest management.
	Oversees the qualification, registration, and good conduct of teachers in Northern Ireland.
	Promotes and enforces health and safety at work standards in Northern Ireland.
	Administers and regulates the insolvency regime in Northern Ireland, dealing with bankruptcies, company liquidations, and administrations.
	Responsible for mapping, land registration, property valuation, and rate collection in Northern Ireland. Maintains the Land Registry, Registry of Deeds and Statutory Charges Registry, and provides valuation services for taxation and other statutory purposes.
	Professional body for the聽solicitors鈥� profession in Northern Ireland. Under the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, the Law Society acts as the regulatory authority governing the education, accounts, discipline and professional conduct of solicitors in order to maintain the independence, ethical standards, professional competence and quality of services offered to the public.
	Regulates the exploration and extraction of minerals and petroleum in Northern Ireland, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and environmental standards.
	Environmental regulation, protection and enforcement.
	Responsible for improving, managing and maintaining the three fishery harbours and harbour estates of Ardglass, Kilkeel, and Portavogie and for operating the facilities which are provided at these harbours.
	Ensures government and other public bodies protect the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland.
	Promotes high standards in nursing and midwifery education and practise in Northern Ireland, supporting professional development and quality improvement.
	Maintains a register of Social Workers and Social Care Workers in Northern Ireland. Sets standards for Social Workers and Social Care Workers for their conduct, training and practice. Sets standards for and regulates social work education and training in Northern Ireland.
	Provides leadership for the judiciary in Northern Ireland, ensuring the effective administration of justice and maintaining judicial standards.
	Places restrictions on any parades in Northern Ireland it deems contentious or offensive.
	Registers and regulates pharmacists and pharmacies in Northern Ireland as well as providing leadership to the profession, in the public interest.
	Regulates the rail industry in Northern Ireland, issuing licences and ensuring compliance with railway regulations.
	Registers, inspects and encourages improvement in residential and nursing homes, and nursing and domiciliary care agencies.
	Manages flood risk in Northern Ireland, maintains watercourses, and enforces drainage and flood prevention regulations.
	Responsible for the administration, collection, and enforcement of the Single Use Carrier Bag levy, which requires retailers to charge a minimum of 25p for each new carrier bag supplied to customers, with the proceeds going to the Department for environmental projects.
	Enforces consumer protection legislation in Northern Ireland, ensuring fair trading practises and product safety standards.
	Regulates the road freight and passenger transport industries in Northern Ireland, issuing licences and ensuring compliance with transport regulations.
	Regulates the electricity, gas, water and sewerage industries in Northern Ireland, promoting the short- and long-term interests of consumers.
	Ensures animal health and welfare in Northern Ireland, provides veterinary public health services, and enforces animal health legislation.

Scotland regulatory bodies

Regulator	Purpose
	Responsible for administering the process of personal bankruptcy, corporate insolvency, recording corporate insolvencies and protecting trust deeds.
	Regulates Construction Attorneys.
	Regulates and inspects care services in Scotland to make sure they meet the right standards.
	Regulates the water supply and ensures accurate, impartial information is available on drinking water quality in Scotland to promote the use of robust water science.
	Independent body of lawyers who have been admitted to practise as advocates before the courts of Scotland, especially the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary.
	Protects the health and wellbeing of consumers in Scotland.
	Independent regulator for teachers in Scotland to enhance trust in teachers by setting, upholding and promoting high standards.
	Inspects and regulates healthcare providers in Scotland to help them improve the quality of care they deliver, ensuring safe, effective and person-centred care.
	Lead public body for Scotland鈥檚 historic environment, responsible for regulating works to scheduled monuments and listed buildings, and providing statutory advice on planning applications affecting historic sites.
	Professional body for Chartered Accountants in Scotland.
	Professional body for over 13,000 Scottish solicitors, with an overarching objective of leading legal excellence, understanding and serving the needs of our members and the public. As part of regulatory duties, sets and upholds standards to ensure the provision of excellent legal services and ensure the public can have confidence in Scotland鈥檚 solicitor profession.
	Scotland鈥檚 nature agency working to improve the natural environment and inspire people to care for it, with regulatory functions over protected areas, wildlife management, and species licencing.
	Independent regulator and registrar for 24,610 charities in Scotland.
	Responsible for compiling and maintaining 20 public registers relating to land, property, and other legal documents in Scotland. Oversees land registration, maintains the Land Register of Scotland and the General Register of Sasines.
	Supports and promotes the adoption of lawful, effective, and ethical practices in relation to the acquisition, retention, use, and destruction of biometric data for criminal justice and police purposes in Scotland.
	Protects the Environment and Human Health to ensure that Scotland鈥檚 natural resources and services are used as sustainably as possible and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
	Provides fire and rescue services across Scotland, with regulatory functions in fire safety enforcement, inspecting premises and ensuring compliance with fire safety legislation.
	Protect the interests of tenants, people who are homeless, and others who use social landlords鈥� services in Scotland.
	Recommends changes to law, policy and practice to promote human rights and conducts inquiries into the policies and practices of Scottish public authorities.
	Independent public official responsible for promoting and enforcing Scotland鈥檚 freedom of information (FOI) law.
	Regulator for the social work, social care and children and young people workforce in Scotland.
	Sets prices for water and sewerage services that deliver Scottish ministers鈥� objectives for the water industry at the lowest reasonable overall cost to consumers by facilitating competition. Monitors and reports on Scottish Water鈥檚 performance regarding customer service, investment, costs and leakage.

Wales regulatory bodies

Regulator	Purpose
	Adjudicates on disputes between agricultural landlords and tenants, and related matters concerning agricultural land in Wales.
	Responsible for conserving Wales鈥檚 historic environment, regulating works affecting listed buildings and scheduled monuments.
	Responsible for the management and maintenance of Cardiff Bay, regulating navigation and water quality within the harbour area.
	Regulates and inspects social care and childcare services in Wales to ensure they meet legal requirements and standards.
	Protects public health in Wales related to food, ensuring food safety and standards across the food chain.
	Independent inspectorate and regulator of healthcare in Wales, inspects NHS services, and regulates independent healthcare providers.
	Responsible for funding and regulating the tertiary education and research sector in Wales.
	Regulator of the marine, forest and waste industries in Wales.
	Independent body that considers complaints about public services and independent care providers in Wales, and investigates allegations that members of local authorities have broken their code of conduct.
	Regulates the social care workforce in Wales, and provides national leadership and expertise in social care and childcare, play and early years in Wales.

Published 4 March 2026

Last updated 31 March 2026 show all updates

31 March 2026
'Office for Environmental Protections' was removed from the list of UK regulators.
4 March 2026
First published.

扒哥吃瓜