Changes to UK Asbestos Regulations
Last Updated on 17 December 2025
Upcoming Changes to UK Asbestos Regulations
Asbestos has long been one of the most controversial materials in British history – once praised for its durability and fire resistance, yet later condemned as a silent killer. Despite being banned in 1999, asbestos remains a pressing concern because millions of buildings across the UK still contain it. In 2025 and beyond, the UK government is set to introduce changes and updates to asbestos regulations, aiming to better protect public health and ensure stricter compliance.
This article explores the upcoming asbestos regulation changes in the UK.
Understanding Asbestos and Its Dangers
Asbestos is not a single material but a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals known for their heat resistance, strength, and insulating properties. The three most common types used in the UK are chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), and crocidolite (blue asbestos). Each type carries severe health risks when its microscopic fibres are released into the air and inhaled.
Once inside the lungs, asbestos fibres can cause scarring, inflammation, and irreversible diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma – a rare but aggressive cancer linked directly to asbestos exposure. What makes asbestos especially dangerous is its latency period: symptoms often don’t appear until decades after exposure.
The UK has one of the world’s highest rates of mesothelioma, a stark reminder of the legacy of heavy asbestos use during the 20th century. The number of victims contracting this disease is barely moving in a downward direction. Although strict regulations have been in place since the 1999 ban, the material still lurks in older homes, schools, offices, and hospitals. That’s why updating the asbestos regulations and making changes in the UK is not just a bureaucratic exercise – it’s a matter of public health urgency.
A Brief History of Asbestos Regulations in the UK
To understand the upcoming changes to UK asbestos regulations, it helps to look back at how the UK got here. The country was one of the largest users of asbestos in the post-war period. Between the 1950s and 1980s, asbestos was a standard building material used in insulation, roofing, flooring, and even shipbuilding. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until decades later that the deadly consequences of asbestos exposure became undeniable. Prior to that it was understood but not articulated and the asbestos industry fought tooth and nail to cover up the increasing body of evidence.
The first real attempt to regulate asbestos came with the Asbestos Industry Regulations of 1931, which primarily focused on factory workers. However, these early efforts were limited in scope and poorly enforced. The Asbestos Regulations of 1969 expanded protections to more workplaces, followed by the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, which introduced a licensing system for companies handling asbestos removal.
In 1985, the UK banned the use of blue and brown asbestos, and in 1999, it prohibited all forms, including white asbestos. Today, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) remains the main legal framework governing asbestos management, setting rules for identification, control, and safe removal.
Yet, even with these laws, asbestos-related diseases continue to claim around 5,000 lives annually in the UK. That reality has fueled calls for tighter control, more transparency, and a nationwide plan to safely eliminate asbestos from all public buildings – a mission driving the upcoming reforms.
Why Are New Changes to UK Asbestos Regulations Being Proposed?
The call for updated asbestos regulations and changes in the UK comes from multiple fronts. Health experts, advocacy groups, and even Parliament have been urging the government to take a more proactive stance. A 2022 parliamentary inquiry highlighted severe gaps in the current asbestos management system, revealing that many schools, hospitals, and government buildings still contain deteriorating asbestos materials.
Additionally, scientific research shows that even low levels of exposure can pose serious risks, especially for children and long-term occupants of contaminated buildings. Pressure has mounted from organisations like the Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK and The Trades Union Congress (TUC), demanding clearer removal timelines and stronger enforcement.
Environmental concerns have also played a role. Improper asbestos disposal and illegal dumping have become recurring issues, prompting regulators to strengthen waste management laws. With climate change and sustainability dominating government agendas, the new regulations align with broader environmental and public health goals.
In short, the upcoming reforms and changes to the UK asbestos regulations are about closing loopholes, improving enforcement, and, most importantly, protecting lives. Advocates are pushing the government to set a clear roadmap for asbestos eradication, starting with public buildings, with 2026 hopefully marking the beginning of a transformative decade in asbestos safety.
So what’s happening in regards to changes to UK asbestos regulations?
In short, the HSE are having a consultation with the asbestos industry to understand their views based on the HSE proposals concerning changes to the asbestos regulations in the UK. This will be done via an online survey, where repsonses will be collected.
They will be seeking views on regulatory and non-regulatory proposals as follows:-
Regulatory
1. To modify the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and related guidelines to guarantee the impartiality and independence of responsibilities in the four-stage clearance process to reduce the danger of asbestos exposure to workers and building users following asbestos removal.
Non-Regulatory
2. To raise the bar for asbestos surveys by enhancing guidelines and employing additional measures to guarantee that dutyholders understand the vital significance that an asbestos survey plays in controlling asbestos danger and are prepared to order a high-quality survey from a qualified asbestos surveyor or organisation.
3. To enhance guidelines and employ additional interventions to clarify the nature of Notifiable Non-Licensed activity (NNLW), which is defined as work involving asbestos.
All parties involved in the asbestos regulatory system should take note of this consultation, especially dutyholders, asbestos analysers, asbestos removal companies (including licensed ones), and asbestos surveyors. It also applies to related occupations like construction and facilities management. However, certain proposals can be more relevant to some roles than others.
The HSE are asking people to submit their responses by the 9th January 2026, either online, or by downloading the consultation as a word document, and either emailing or sending it by post.
Further details and information can be found by clicking on the following link https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/hse/proposals-control-of-asbestos-regs-2012/
What happens once the deadline for responses to the Consultation closes?
After the consultation is over, HSE will analyse and review the replies to determine how best to proceed with the outlined proposals for changes to the UK asbestos regulations. The consultation webpage will feature an overview of HSE’s response to the opinions shared by respondents.
HSE may further refine its proposals in light of the replies to this consultation; however, any future legislative amendments are contingent upon approval from the wider Government. Before any regulatory changes to the UK Asbestos regulations take effect, those interested and who have responded will receive additional communications. Following the conclusion of the consultation session, a summary of the replies will be posted on the consultation webpage.
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