This order establishes the formal code of practice regarding closed shop agreements and arrangements within the United Kingdom labor market. The document originates from the legislative authority of the British government, specifically addressing the regulatory framework for union membership requirements in employment. It serves as a statutory instrument intended to provide guidance on the conduct and legal standards for employers and trade unions during the 1980s.

Legal professionals and historians utilize this document as a primary source for understanding the regulatory environment of British labor relations during the early 1980s. Experts note that the text is highly technical and serves as a foundational reference for the specific legal constraints of that era.