Consultation Launched On The Control Of Asbestos Regulations And Guidance

The consultation is now open for comments- The consultation runs until 9 January 2026

HSE has launched a consultation on proposals to improve the application of the Control of Asbestos Regulations and guidance around asbestos management to help protect workers and building users.

Great Britain already has one of the best workplace health and safety performances globally, with some of the lowest rates of occupational injury and fatality in Europe. These proposals build on this strong foundation to enhance protections in areas where asbestos remains a significant health risk.

The consultation aims to seek stakeholders’ views on 3 proposals:

•           to ensure the independence and impartiality of roles in the four-stage clearance process to further minimise the risk of exposure              from asbestos to workers and building users after the removal of asbestos 
•           to drive up the standard of asbestos surveys to ensure dutyholders have the information they need to safely manage asbestos risks 
•           to clarify the type of work that constitutes work with asbestos known as Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW) 

 

The consultation is particularly relevant to dutyholders, asbestos analysts, asbestos removal contractors, asbestos surveyors, and associated professions including facilities management and construction.

 

The HSE says of the consultation:

The consultation aims to seek stakeholders views on regulatory and non-regulatory proposals:

Regulatory

1. To amend the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and associated guidance to ensure the independence and impartiality of roles in the four-stage clearance process to minimise the risk of exposure from asbestos to workers and building users after the removal of asbestos

Non-regulatory

2. To drive up the standard of asbestos surveys by improving guidance and using other interventions to ensure dutyholders understand the critical role of an asbestos survey in managing asbestos risk; and are equipped to commission a quality survey from a competent asbestos surveyor or organisation

3. To improve guidance and use other interventions to clarify the type of work that constitutes work with asbestos known as Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW)

This consultation is relevant to all parties engaged in the asbestos regulatory system – in particular dutyholders, asbestos analysts, asbestos removal contractors (including licensed) and asbestos surveyors. It is also relevant to associated professions, including facilities management and construction. Certain proposals, however, may apply more specifically to particular roles than to others.

How to take part

The full consultation document, including detailed proposals, background information and how to respond is available on our website.
View the consultation:

Legislative and guidance proposals for the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

Source: HSE