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What are the Legionella regulations in the UK?

On this page, we aim to answer your most pressing questions about these regulations, covering topics such as compliance responsibilities, risk assessment protocols, and best practices for water system management. Whether you're a property owner, employer, or facility manager, understanding these regulations is essential for ensuring safety and protecting public health.

In the UK, the main Legionella regulations are supported by primary health and safety laws which include:

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA)
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR)
More specifically, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) and;
RIDDOR

The primary guidance used for Legionella compliance and as such used as "de-facto" legal requirement can be found in:

HSE Guidance, The Approved Code of Practice: Legionnaires’ disease: The control of Legionella bacteria in water systems (ACoP L8 2013)
HSG 274 Parts 1,2 and 3

Further further information and links to documents please visit our regulation advice section.