The National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC) is a statutory body established in terms of Section 72 of the National Health Act, No. 61 of 2003. Appointed by the Minister of Health, the NHREC provides national leadership on ethical matters relating to health research in South Africa.

The NHREC’s mandate includes:

• Developing and updating ethical guidelines, norms, and standards.

• Overseeing and supporting Research Ethics Committees (RECs) across the country.

• Ensuring that health research involving human participants and animal subjects upholds the highest ethical standards.

• Promoting alignment with international best practices through global collaboration.

Our key functions include:

• Setting guidelines for the functioning of RECs.

• Registering and auditing RECs.

• Establishing ethical norms and standards for research involving humans and animals.

• Handling complaints about the functioning of RECs.

• Referring professional misconduct to the relevant statutory councils.

• Recommending disciplinary action for violations of ethical research standards.

• Advising the National and Provincial Departments of Health on ethical issues in research.

The NHREC engages with the public, academic and research institutions, professional councils, and international partners to promote ethically responsible research. We are committed to upholding research integrity, participant dignity, and the welfare of animals in research.

Explore our website to learn more about our work and how we contribute to ethically sound health research in South Africa.