IOSH is pleased to announce that at a meeting of the Privy Council held on
26 June 2002, IOSH was granted a Royal Charter of Incorporation.
The journey to reach chartered status, which began over 11 years ago, will
be completed when the charter formally comes into effect on 1 April 2003.
The granting of the Royal charter will bring many benefits to the
institution’s reputation and profile but will not mean a change in members’
designatory letters. Similarly, the name of the institution will not change
because of the Royal Charter.
As some of you will be aware, IOSH is in the process of developing and
implementing a new corporate identity including a new, more modern logo, to be
introduced by April 2003 – the date of incorporation. The new letterheads to be
used by the institution, are likely to read "IOSH – Incorporated by Royal
Charter".
Once formal incorporation comes into effect at the beginning of the new
financial year, the legal status of IOSH will change from a company limited by
guarantee to a Chartered organisation, to which all assets, liabilities and
activities will be transferred.
IOSH’s charitable status, subject to approval by the Charity Commission,
will be unaffected. The institution will still be subject to regulation and
control by the Charity Commission, but matters currently dealt with by the
Registrar of Companies will, in future, be overseen by the Privy Council.
Nearer the time of incorporation, all members of IOSH will receive a
brochure describing in greater detail the process and what it means for the
enhanced status and reputation of the institution and the occupational health
and safety profession in general.
