Written Statement: The Health Impact Assessment (Wales) Regulations 2025

Last week, the Health Impact Assessment (Wales) Regulations 2025 were formally approved by the Senedd.

These Regulations position Wales as a global leader in public health policy and legislation. 

They introduce a statutory duty on specified public bodies to undertake Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) when proposing decisions of a strategic nature about how to exercise their functions. 

The Regulations apply to a total of 56 organisations, being as follows:

• the Welsh Ministers;
• local authorities in Wales;
• corporate joint committees established by regulations made under Part 5 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021;
• Local Health Boards in Wales;
• Public Health Wales NHS Trust;
• Velindre University NHS Trust;
• Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust;
• Digital Health and Care Wales;
• Health Education and Improvement Wales;
• National Park authorities for each National Park in Wales;
• Welsh fire and rescue authorities;
• the Natural Resources Body for Wales;
• the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research;
• the Arts Council of Wales;
• the Sports Council for Wales;
• the National Library of Wales;
• the National Museum of Wales.
• Social Care Wales;
• Welsh Revenue Authority;
• Transport for Wales (company number 09476013);
• Centre for Digital Public Services Limited (company number 09341679); and
• Qualifications Wales.

The purpose of the Regulations is to promote consistency and enhance the quality of decision-making across these specified public bodies in Wales, supporting them towards meeting their obligations under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

HIAs will make sure physical and mental health impacts are consistently taken into account when public sector organisations develop new policies or projects.  This includes decisions made in areas which are known to impact long-term health outcomes, such as housing, transport, education, employment, culture and the environment.

The Regulations will come into force on 6^th April 2027. This transition phase will help the public bodies prepare for implementation. Guidance, training, and practical support will be coordinated by Welsh Government and Welsh Health Impact Assessment Support Unit (WHIASU) in Public Health Wales, which is internationally recognised for its expertise in the delivery of Health Impact Assessments.