Legislations

Data Protection Act 1998

The Data Protection Act is compulsory. It is essential that your company fully complies with it, not just to avoid prosecution and bad publicity, but to demonstrate to customers that your company operates with due diligence and responsibility. Also, a breach of the act can lead to claims for compensation. 

The data protection act controls how your information is used by organisations, businesses or the government.

This act applies to everyone who is responsible for using data and they have to follow strict rules known as ‘data protection principles’. The user must make sure the information is used:

• Used fairly and lawfully
• Used for limited, specifically stated purposes
• Used in a way that is adequate, relevant and not excessive
• Accurate
• Kept for no longer than is absolutely necessary
• Handled according to people’s data protection rights
• Kept safe and secure
• Not transferred outside the UK without adequate protection

There is a stronger legal protection for more sensitive information, such as:

• Ethnic background
• Political opinions
• Religious beliefs
• Health
• Sexual health
• Criminal records 

Computer Misuse Act 1990

The computer misuse act was designed to frame legislation and controls over computer crime and internet fraud. The legislation was created to:

• Criminalize unauthorized access to computer systems
• Deter serious criminals from using a computer in the commission
• Making, supplying or obtaining anything which can be used in computer misuse offences.

Copyright Act 1988

When you buy software, for example, copyright law forbids you from:

• Giving a copy to a friend
• Making a copy and then selling it
• Using the software on a network (unless the licence allows it)
• Renting the software without permission of the copyright holder

The law that governs copyright in the UK is called the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Health and Safety Act 1974

Before 1974 approximately 8 million employees had no legal safety protection at work. The Health and Safety Act 1974 provides the legal framework to promote, stimulate and encourage high standards of health and safety in places of work. It protects employees and the public from work activities.

Everyone has a duty to comply with the Act, including employers, employees, trainees, self-employed, manufacturers, suppliers, designers and importers of work equipment.