Ireland · Asbestos · In force from 21 December 2025
Exposure to Asbestos (Amendment) Regulations 2025: what Irish employers need to know
The amended asbestos rules apply from 21 December 2025, with a lower exposure limit coming in December 2029. The HSA has published a 2025 Code of Practice.
Short answer
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 apply from 21 December 2025. The occupational exposure limit is 0.01 fibres/cm³ until 20 December 2029, and 0.002 fibres/cm³ from 21 December 2029. Department of Enterprise announcement · HSA 2025 Code of Practice
Who is affected?
Employers whose work may disturb asbestos-containing materials, especially demolition, refurbishment, maintenance and building services, and the contractors and clients who plan that work.
What should employers do?
- Read the 2025 Code of Practice and check your procedures against it.
- Find asbestos before work starts. Do not start demolition or refurbishment until you know what is in the building.
- Check worker training and records against the type of work each person does.
- Plan for the 2029 limit. The exposure limit falls to 0.002 fibres/cm³ from 21 December 2029.
Asbestos awareness training helps workers recognise suspected asbestos and stop work safely. It does not qualify anyone to remove or work on asbestos-containing materials.
Training intervals for asbestos work depend on the type of work. Check the Regulations and the HSA guidance for the work your staff do, rather than applying one interval to everyone. HSA 2025 Code of Practice
Asbestos Awareness Course
Learn the course online. A certificate is available if you need one.
Official sources
- Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: asbestos regulations 2025enterprise.gov.ie · Checked 2026-10-30
- HSA 2025 Code of Practice: Exposure to Asbestos Regulations 2006–2025hsa.ie · Checked 2026-10-30