Regulations · S.I. No. 632/2025
The six things that changed in Ireland's asbestos rules in 2025.
The biggest overhaul of Irish asbestos law in nearly two decades. Written in plain English, with the source statute linked. Anything older than December 2025 is no longer the rule.
- Signed into law
- December 2025
- Effective from
- 21 December 2025
- New exposure limit
- 0.01 fibres/cm³
- Notification → permit
- Mandatory
Verified — S.I. No. 632/2025
1. Notification became a permit system
Under the previous regime, a contractor notified the HSA before notifiable asbestos work and could proceed. Under S.I. 632/2025, a permit must be applied for and issued before work begins. The permit is specific to the job, the site and the duration. A public register of approved permits is maintained.
- Notification must be submitted at least 10 working days before work begins.
- Required submissions: Plan of Work, site-specific Risk Assessment, training records.
- The permit number must be available on site for the duration of the work.
- Submitting work without a permit is a criminal offence.
Permit notifications go to [email protected]. See
how the permit system works for detail.
2. The exposure limit was halved
The occupational exposure limit (OEL) for asbestos was reduced from 0.1 fibres per cm³ to 0.01 fibres per cm³ — a tenfold reduction. By 2029, electron microscopy will replace phase-contrast microscopy for fibre detection, capable of detecting thinner fibres that the older method missed.
Practical effect: clearance air-test thresholds tighten. Removals that previously passed clearance may now require additional cleaning before sign-off. The new limit aligns with EU Directive (EU) 2023/2668.
3. Removal is now prioritised over manage-in-place
The 2025 amendments explicitly state that asbestos removal should be prioritised unless removal would create a greater risk than retention. Before demolition or major refurbishment, asbestos must be removed unless its retention can be formally justified.
Practical effect: more removal work, fewer "we'll seal it and leave it" decisions. Existing management plans may need revisiting.
4. Surveys are mandatory before almost all work
A refurbishment/demolition asbestos survey (RDAS) is now required before:
- Refurbishment of any pre-2000 building.
- Demolition of any pre-2000 building.
- Maintenance or minor works that may disturb asbestos-containing material.
Where information is missing or uncertain, materials must be presumed to contain asbestos until tested. Surveys must be carried out by a competent person and must be fit for the specific purpose. See the survey guide.
5. Risk assessment now includes passive exposure
The duty to assess asbestos risk now explicitly includes secondary and passive exposure: building occupants, maintenance teams, cleaners, anyone affected by vibration, deterioration or nearby works. Duty-holders must identify who may be exposed, assess the nature, degree and duration, and reduce exposure to the lowest technically possible level.
Practical effect: risk assessments need to consider more than the operatives doing the removal. The neighbours, the kids upstairs, the cleaner who comes in after — all must be assessed.
6. Medical surveillance was expanded
Where asbestos exposure is possible, employers must now provide:
- Health assessments for exposed workers.
- A responsible medical practitioner.
- Individual medical records, kept for up to 40 years.
- An occupational health register.
These obligations now apply wherever asbestos exposure may occur — not only during licensed removal works.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
When did the 2025 changes take effect?
S.I. No. 632/2025, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, was signed into law in December 2025. The new exposure limit took effect from 21 December 2025. The permit system replaced the previous notification system from the same date.
Do the changes apply to homeowners?
Yes. The asbestos regulations apply across all sectors — domestic, commercial, agricultural and industrial. The survey-before-refurbishment requirement applies to any pre-2000 building, including private homes. The permit system applies to any contractor doing notifiable asbestos work, including in domestic settings.
What is the practical difference between notification and permit?
Under the previous notification system, the contractor told the HSA work was happening and the work could go ahead. Under the new permit system, the HSA must approve the application and issue a unique permit number before work begins. The permit must be available on site for the duration of the work, and a public register of approved permits is maintained. From December 2025 it is a criminal offence to undertake notifiable asbestos work without a valid permit on site.
Why was the exposure limit halved?
The new occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 0.01 fibres per cm³ aligns with EU Directive (EU) 2023/2668 and reflects current scientific understanding of the dose-response relationship for asbestos-related diseases. The previous limit of 0.1 f/cm³ was set decades earlier when the evidence was less developed. By 2029, electron microscopy will replace phase-contrast microscopy for fibre detection — capable of detecting thinner fibres that the old method missed.
What does "removal prioritised over manage-in-place" mean for my property?
Under the previous default, a duty-holder could leave asbestos in place provided it was identified, labelled and monitored. Under the 2025 amendments, removal is now the default — retention or encapsulation must be formally justified. In practice, refurbishment, demolition or major works on a pre-2000 building will more often trigger removal rather than encapsulation. Doing nothing remains an option for asbestos in good condition that won't be disturbed, but the threshold for "we'll just leave it" has moved.