HSE Retains Pressure Systems Safety Regulations After Review Finds No Case For Reform

Pressure Systems Safety Regulations Review Ends Without Reform

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has decided not to pursue legislative reform following its review of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000. The formal response, published on 29 September 2026, says the evidence did not show that amendments would reduce burdens without undermining safety or deliver benefits that exceeded disruption and transition costs.

The six-week call for evidence produced 109 responses. Of respondents, 69% said the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR) remained fit for purpose, 59% considered them non-duplicative and 64% said the Approved Code of Practice remained fit for purpose. HSE found that most difficulties concerned interpretation and application rather than defects in the legislation.

The response does not amend the regulations. HSE says it will keep the evidence under review and seek opportunities to improve guidance.

Written Schemes And 28-Day Reporting Remain Unchanged

PSSR protects people from stored-energy failures in pressure systems used at work. Dutyholders must continue establishing safe operating limits, maintaining equipment and implementing a written scheme of examination where required. A competent person can set suitable risk-based examination intervals under that scheme.

HSE will not amend Regulation 9 at this stage. Its response says the next inspection date must be set within 28 days after completion of the final examination in a series. Regulation 9(7) retains limited flexibility for a one-time postponement by agreement. No evidence justified changing the reporting framework for larger or more complex plants.

Current scope distinctions also remain. A pipeline used only to transport substances between sites is regulated under dedicated pipeline legislation. Relevant-fluid pipework within workplace premises forms part of a PSSR pressure system and remains subject to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

Hydrogen systems are already covered where hydrogen at 0.5 bar or above is a relevant fluid. Risk assessments must address hazards including fire and explosion. The outcome creates no new substance restriction or product threshold for steam, gases, liquids, hydrogen or carbon dioxide systems.

HSE Will Clarify Overlapping Responsibilities Through Guidance

Future work will focus on guidance rather than legislation. HSE plans to clarify definitions, competence expectations, examination intervals, lease and hire responsibilities, mobile versus installed equipment and the boundary between PSSR and the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (PESR).

The response explains that manufacturing pressure equipment generally brings PESR conformity-assessment and documentation duties into play, subject to limited exceptions. Certified equipment assembled on site by a user for internal use must instead be managed under PSSR, including a written scheme of examination.