Guidance

Declaration of Helsinki and Clinical Trial Regulations alignment

Information on the alignment of the amended UK clinical trial legislation with the Declaration of Helsinki, prioritising UK law where conflicts arise.

Documents

Details

This guidance explains howthat thecompliance Declaration of Helsinki aligns with UKthe clinicalprinciples trialof regulations,the ensuringDeclaration ethicalof standardsHelsinki areis maintainedrequired throughoutby researchthe involvingamendment humanof participants. It highlights the principlesClinical ofTrials respectRegulation forbut individuals,that informedreference consent,to anda prioritisingspecific participantversion welfareof overthe scientificDeclaration oris societalno interests.longer stated.

The documentRegulations clarifiesrequire that UKthe regulations incorporate these principles intoof law,the requiringDeclaration trialsof toHelsinki must be scientificallycomplied sound,with ethicallyfor approved,all andclinical conductedtrials withexcept transparencywhere andthis accountability.

Thecontravenes guidancethe alsorequirements addressesof practicalthe implicationsamended forRegulations sponsors and investigators,examples suchof aspotential ensuringconflicts ethicsare committeegiven. review,Where safeguardinga vulnerableconflict populations,arises andthe maintainingMHRA dataexpects integrity.sponsors Theto alignmentprioritise reinforces that compliance with UK regulationslaw inherentlywhile satisfiesdocumenting the ethicalrationale obligationsfor setdeviation out in the Declaration of Helsinki. This provides assurance to researchers and regulatorsany thatassociated trials conducted under UK law meet internationally recognised ethical standards.impact.

Updates to this page

Published 12 January 2026
Last updated 19 March 2026 href="#full-history">+ show all updates
  1. Updated to remove link to feedback questionnaire as it is now over

  2. First published.

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