New regulations for carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) and offshore hydrogen production came into effect from 6 April 2026, these are the:
- Carbon Capture Utilisation Storage and Offshore Hydrogen Production (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application Outside Great Britain) (Variation) Order 2026
The new regulations expand the existing rules, so they now cover:
- CCUS sites
- CO₂ pipelines used for CCUS onshore and offshore
- offshore hydrogen production
We have updated our guidance to help those involved in CCUS operations offshore, and in pipelines, or offshore hydrogen production, understand their health and safety duties.
Those responsible must:
- treat CCUS and offshore hydrogen production as formally regulated offshore activities
- produce safety cases, submit notifications and have emergency response arrangements in place as required by the relevant offshore regulations for CCUS and offshore hydrogen installations
- ensure that CO2 pipelines comply with Pipeline Safety Regulations for design, operation, integrity management and emergency planning
- report incidents involving wells, CCUS or hydrogen operations
- comply with general health and safety law to protect workers and the public
Our updated guidance includes:
- who is responsible for managing CCUS and offshore hydrogen production risks
- guidance on relevant legislation
Find out more on regulating CCUS and offshore hydrogen production.
