It  aimed to provide the scientific rationale and information base for the conservation of geological SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest, protected under British law (latterly the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended 1995). The NCC and country conservation agencies were established in 1990 when JNCC became established (Environmental Protection Act 1990) and took over responsibility for managing the GCR site assessment process, and publishing accounts of accepted sites.
This initiative aimed to provide a scientific basis for protecting geological SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), which are protected under British law, as established by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, later amended in 1995. The NCC and country conservation agencies were formed in 1990 when JNCC was established by the Environmental Protection Act 1990. They took over responsibility for managing the assessment process of these geological sites and publishing their findings.