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Human Remains: Auctions and Electronic Commerce

Asked by Bell Ribeiro-AddyLabourDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 25 March 2025UIN 38667

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the sale of human remains (a) on e-commerce sites and (b) at auctions.

Answered by Justin Madders

It is for businesses and auction rooms to consider the consent and licensing provisions of the Human Tissue Act 2004. Those who sell or purchase human remains may also be subject to their own professional standards and codes of conduct.

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