The regulatory timeline
How the UK framework for Legionella control was built, decade by decade. Years are publication or coming-into-force dates; always confirm the current edition on standards.
- 1974
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act
The overarching duty of care (s.2 and s.3) under which Legionella control sits. Read more ›
- 1976
The disease is identified
An outbreak among attendees of an American Legion convention gives Legionnaires’ disease its name.
- 1992
Notification of Cooling Towers & Evaporative Condensers Regulations
Wet cooling towers and evaporative condensers must be registered with the local authority. Read more ›
- 2002
COSHH Regulations
Legionella treated as a hazardous substance, the legal hook for the risk assessment (reg 6) and control (reg 7-8). Read more ›
- 2013
ACoP L8, 4th edition
The current Approved Code of Practice, separating the legal ACoP from the technical guidance. Read more ›
- 2013
RIDDOR
Reporting duties that can apply where Legionnaires’ disease is linked to work exposure. Read more ›
- 2014
HSG274 (Parts 1–3)
The detailed technical guidance: cooling towers, hot & cold water, and other risk systems. Read more ›
- 2016
HTM 04-01
Healthcare-specific guidance for safe water in healthcare premises. Read more ›
- 2017
HSG282
Dedicated guidance for spa pools and hot tubs. Read more ›
- 2019
BS 8580-1
The code of practice for Legionella risk assessments. Read more ›
- 2020
BS 8680
The code of practice for water safety plans. Read more ›
- 2022
BS 7592
The updated code of practice for sampling for Legionella. Read more ›
For what's changed on this site, see updates.
"A timeline of UK Legionella law & guidance." Legionella.io. https://legionella.io/timeline/
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