The Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee is tasked with the ethics of all research at the University of Pretoria related to the health of humans and the research conducted in the Faculty of Health Sciences.  It operates in terms of the National Health Act (2003), the Code of Ethics for Research of the University of Pretoria, and the National Health Research Ethics Council.

It is accredited nationally and internationally as follows:

• National Health Research Ethics Council of the South African Department of Health. REC-120208-018
• Office of Human Research Protection of the USA Department of Health & Human Services'
  • Federalwide Assurance FWA 00002567,  Approved 18/03/2022 and Expires 18/03/2027.
  • IRB 0000 2235 IORG0001762, Expires 07/28/2026.

It is a legal imperative that all health research must be reviewed by the Research Ethics Committee prior to its commencement in terms of the National Health Act as well as the policy (S 5102/23) of the University of Pretoria