Regulatory proposals for Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage and offshore hydrogen production

Overview

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) undertakes a wide range of regulatory functions fundamental to enabling a safe and healthy workplace. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives. Our role goes beyond worker protection to include public assurance. We work to ensure people feel safe where they live, where they work and, in their environment.

Great Britain (GB) has one of the best workplace health and safety performances in the world and achieves some of the lowest rates of occupational injury and fatality in Europe.

HSE’s work supports innovation, productivity and economic growth in GB and businesses that adopt effective, proportionate health and safety practices increase productivity and employee engagement. HSE’s strategy - Protecting people and places: HSE strategy 2022 to 2032 – also commits HSE to enabling industry to innovate safely to prevent major incidents, supporting the move towards Net Zero.

This consultative document is issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in compliance with its duty to consult under section 50(3) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and in line with the Government’s Consultation Principles for consulting with stakeholders. The consultation explores proposals for legislative changes in relation to Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage operations offshore and in pipelines, offshore production of hydrogen and arrangements for the transport of HSE inspectors to offshore wind facilities. An Options Assessment including early cost benefit analysis has been produced and may be used to inform your responses.

How to submit responses

Responses must be received by 13 August 2025.

The easiest way to submit responses is by using the online survey further below. Alternatively, you can:

Respond by email

Download the Word document version of this consultation and email it to – ccushydrogenconsultation@hse.gov.uk.

Respond on paper

Download the Word document version of this consultation and send it to:

CCUS and Offshore Hydrogen Consultation
Health and Safety Executive
Building 2.2 Redgrave Court
Merton Road
Bootle
Merseyside L20 7HS

Once the consultation closes

When the consultation has closed, HSE will consider the views expressed to decide how best to take the proposals forward based on an interpretation and analysis of the responses. A summary of HSE’s response to the views expressed by respondents will be published on the consultation webpage.

To take account of the responses received to this consultation HSE may further refine the proposals before any legislation that implements changes are made and laid before Parliament. Further communications will be issued for interested parties in advance of any regulatory changes coming into force.