The Health and Safety Executive has today confirmed that the delayed Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 have been approved by the Minister for Work.

Although it is understood that the regulations will be laid before Parliament next week they are not expected to come into force till the end of November 2002 or in the case of Regulation 4(the duty to manage) and Regulation 20 (standards for analysis will not be enforced for a further 18 and 24 months respectively.

The new regulations are aimed at reducing deaths and related disease caused by the legacy of asbestos in existing non-domestic buildings.