Story perspectives

New Code Forces Biological-Sex Toilets, Good Law Project Challenges

8/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s code of practice comes into force on 5 August 2026, mandating that single-sex toilets and changing rooms be organised by biological sex.
The rule will affect about 13,000 toilets, 5,000 changing rooms and 18,000 signs, costing £20.6 million for cleaning and £14.2 million annually for building work.
The Good Law Project has sent a pre-action protocol letter describing the code as “transphobic” and unlawful.

History

Historical Context

North Carolina’s 2016 House Bill 2, signed by Governor Pat McCrory, forced bathroom use based on birth-certificate sex and sparked a $400 million economic backlash and a federal DOJ lawsuit. After its partial repeal in 2017 and full sunset in 2020, the 2026 Equality and Human Rights Commission code revived similar sex-based rules, prompting the Good Law Project to file a trans-rights challenge.

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Story summary

The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s code of practice comes into force on 5 August 2026, mandating that single-sex toilets and changing rooms be organised by biological sex.
The rule will affect about 13,000 toilets, 5,000 changing rooms and 18,000 signs, costing £20.6 million for cleaning and £14.2 million annually for building work.
The Good Law Project has sent a pre-action protocol letter describing the code as “transphobic” and unlawful.

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