Standards Library
Every UK asbestos rule that matters, in one place.
Deep, plain-English breakdowns of the statutory instruments, HSE guidance documents and UKAS accreditation standards that govern UK asbestos work — each one written by working consultants and cross-linked to the compliant survey type.
Statutory
Statutory instruments — the law itself
ACOP
Approved Codes of Practice — quasi-legal weight
HSE guidance
HSE guidance — the working methodology
Asbestos: The Survey Guide (HSG264)
The definitive HSE methodology for asbestos surveying in Great Britain. Defines the two survey types, competence expectations, sampling strategy, reporting, quality assurance and material assessment scoring. Every UKAS-accredited surveying body works to HSG264.
Health and Safety Executive · Second edition, 2012
A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Asbestos in Premises (HSG227)
The HSE's practical guide to discharging the Regulation 4 duty to manage. Focused on the dutyholder rather than the surveyor — how to build a register, run a priority assessment, write a management plan and cycle reinspections.
Health and Safety Executive · First edition, 2002 (reprinted 2011)
Asbestos: The Analysts' Guide (HSG248)
The authoritative HSE methodology for analytical work — air sampling during and after licensed removal, four-stage clearance, PCM and TEM analysis, and the certification of enclosures for reoccupation.
Health and Safety Executive · Second edition, 2021
Asbestos Essentials (HSG210)
A library of task sheets for non-licensed asbestos work aimed at construction and maintenance trades. Each sheet sets out the equipment, controls and decontamination for a specific short-duration task on non-friable or lower-risk ACMs.
Health and Safety Executive · Third edition, 2018
Accreditation
UKAS accreditation standards — competence assurance
ISO/IEC 17020 — UKAS Accreditation for Inspection Bodies
The international standard under which UKAS accredits asbestos surveying (inspection) bodies. Prescribes independence, impartiality, competence management, methodology control and complaint handling. HSG264 and ACOP L143 both point to 17020 as the mark of a competent surveying body.
International Organization for Standardization / UKAS · ISO/IEC 17020:2012
ISO/IEC 17025 — UKAS Accreditation for Testing Laboratories
The international standard under which UKAS accredits asbestos testing laboratories. Prescribes chain of custody, sample identification methodology (PLM for bulk, PCM for air), quality control, competence and reporting. HSG264 and HSG248 both require analysis under 17025.
International Organization for Standardization / UKAS · ISO/IEC 17025:2017
Construction