After you apply for a research licence - clinic inspections

Once receiving an research licence application and the correct fees, the HFEA Compliance department arranges peer reviews and an inspection of the proposed research centre.

Peer reviews

HFEA peer reviews determine whether your research application:

  • comes within the statutory requirements of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 
  • requires human embryos to fulfil its aims and objectives 
  • requires the numbers and types of embryos described in the application 
  • meets the requirements of the HFEA Code Of Practice

It is very difficult to obtain approval for a new research licence if a successful peer review has not been obtained.  Please ensure that all supporting information is provided at the time of the application.

How long will it take to become licensed?

The HFEA is committed to processing 90% of licence applications within four months of receipt of a properly completed application form.

 

Inspecting your clinic

If your centre's peer reviews are satisfactory, the HFEA initiates visits to proposed research sites.

These visits are conducted by a team of HFEA specialists. Fuller teams may take part in the visits if the research application is of a novel or complex nature.

The primary focus of these visits is to review proposed project protocols, inspect research laboratories and to meet research teams.

Inspections normally include:

  • general consideration of the research licence application  
  • interviews with the senior members of staff at the centre 
  • a full tour of the centre to inspect premises and equipment.

The inspection team will, after the visit, prepare a report on the centre for the HFEA Research Licence Committee considering the application.

 

Next steps

Once your clinic has been inspected, an HFEA Research Licence Committee makes the final decision on the granting of a licence.

 

...find out about Licence Committee decisions

Page last updated: 11 July 2013

Guide to licensing - legislative framework

The HFEA is required to give guidance to licensed centres about the proper conduct of activities carried out in pursuance of a licence.

To access the complete legislative guide to licensing treatment, storage and research centres, read the HFEA’s legislative guide to licensing:

New compliance cycle

With the introduction of new legislation, we’ve looked at how we can improve what we do as part of the Government’s Better Regulation initiatives.

This, and discussions we’ve had with you, have prompted us to look at how we inspect the fertility sector.

...read about the new compliance cycle