The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) divides all asbestos removal work into 3 legal categories. Each carries different requirements for training, notification, and documentation depending on the material type and the risk level involved. The table below sets out the key differences in plain English before any decisions are made.
Category | What It Covers | Legal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Non-Licensed Work | Low-risk asbestos-containing materials in good condition. Includes most Artex, asbestos cement sheets, floor tiles, soffits, guttering, and water tanks. | Operative must be UKATA-trained. No notification to HSE required. Consignment note required for all waste disposal. |
Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW) | Higher-risk non-licensed materials or work of longer duration or greater disturbance. Includes some asbestos cement removal and certain floor tile adhesive work. | Operative must be UKATA-trained. Work must be notified to the relevant enforcing authority before it begins. Health records kept for 40 years. Consignment note required. |
Licensed Work | High-risk asbestos-containing materials including insulation board (AIB), pipe lagging, and sprayed coatings. | Full HSE asbestos removal licence required. Notification to HSE mandatory. Strict enclosure, air monitoring, and clearance testing required. Medical surveillance for all operatives. |
Non licensed asbestos removal does not mean unregulated. All non-notifiable asbestos removal requires a UKATA (UK Asbestos Training Association)-trained operative following documented HSE procedures and handled in full compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
For homeowners across Surrey, non-licensed means the job can be completed without the additional cost and complexity of a fully licensed contractor. It does not mean the work is informal or less safe. The same protective controls, the same risk assessment process, and the same licensed disposal requirements apply to every non-licensed removal job we carry out.
Every HSE-compliant asbestos removal job includes a written risk assessment and method statement. All hazardous waste is transported securely to a licensed facility, and you receive a consignment note confirming legal disposal under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005.
Notifiable non-licensed work sits between standard non licensed asbestos removal and fully licensed work. It applies to materials that carry a higher disturbance risk or where the duration of work crosses certain HSE thresholds. Common examples include removal of asbestos cement in poor condition and extended floor tile adhesive removal across Surrey residential and commercial properties.
For notifiable asbestos removal, we are legally required to notify the relevant enforcing authority before work begins. Surrey Environmental Services handles this notification process entirely on your behalf and you are not required to contact the HSE or local authority directly.
We maintain health records for all operatives carrying out NNLW, as required by law. These records are kept for a minimum of 40 years in line with current HSE regulations. This protects our team and provides a fully documented audit trail for every notifiable non-licensed job we undertake.
1
We visit your property and inspect the material in question. Our operative confirms whether asbestos is present, identifies the material type, and determines the correct HSE category before any quote is issued.
2
Before any work begins, we prepare a written risk assessment and method statement specific to your job. These documents detail the controls we implement and the procedures for safe removal, bagging, and site clearance.
3
If your job falls into the NNLW category, we notify the relevant enforcing authority before work begins. This is a legal requirement we handle entirely. You do not need to take any action.
4
Our UKATA-trained operatives carry out removal in full compliance with the approved method statement. Containment controls are established, the material is removed safely, and all waste is double-bagged before leaving the site.
5
All asbestos waste is transported to an HSE-approved licensed disposal facility. On completion, you receive a consignment note. This legally confirms your waste has been disposed of correctly under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005.
6
We confirm in writing that all work is complete and all waste has been removed from site. For NNLW jobs, completion documentation is retained in our records as required by law. Copies are available on request.
FAQS
In most domestic cases, standard non licensed asbestos removal does not require notification to the HSE. If your job falls into the notifiable non-licensed work category, Surrey Environmental Services handles all notification on your behalf. You do not need to contact the HSE directly.
We confirm the category at the free survey stage. Our operative inspects the material, assesses its condition, and tells you clearly which HSE category applies before any quote is issued. This information is included in your written quote before you commit to anything.
No. The safety procedures, protective controls, and disposal requirements are equally rigorous across all categories. The distinction between licensed and non-licensed relates to the material type and risk level, not the standard of care. All categories require UKATA-trained operatives, documented procedures, and licensed waste disposal.
A consignment note is the legally required document that tracks asbestos waste from your property to its final licensed disposal point. It confirms correct disposal under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005. Surrey Environmental Services provides this on every removal job across Surrey without exception.
If you would like to see copies of any accreditation certificate or insurance document before booking a survey, contact us directly. We provide documentation to residential customers, landlords, and commercial clients on request.
For enquiries related to our services, please reach out.
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