HSE confirms increase to cost recovery rates across key regulatory regimes
Great Britain's health and safety regulator has announced an increase to its cost recovery hourly rates, affecting a range of regulatory regimes including fee for intervention (FFI), COMAH and offshore safety.
Published: May 19th, 2026
3 min read
The revised rates came into effect on 1 April 2026 following a review by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), with the aim of ensuring full cost recovery for its enforcement and regulatory activities.
The updated charges apply to all of the HSE’s main cost recovery regimes. Among the most widely referenced changes, the hourly rate for fee for intervention (FFI) has increased from £183 to £188.
Other notable adjustments include:
COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards): £212 to £218
Offshore safety: £322 to £332
Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996: £173 to £178
Oil, gas and chemical pipelines: £173 to £178
Onshore oil, gas and geothermal operations: £204 to £210
Wind and marine energy (renewables): £246 to £253
Explosives regulation: £145 to £149
Ionising radiation consents: £227 to £234
Carriage of dangerous goods: £75 to £77
The HSE confirmed that the new rates do not apply retrospectively to interventions that span the 1 April 2026 implementation date.
The HSE reiterated that its approach to cost recovery has not changed, with fees applying only to specific regulatory functions where full cost recovery is mandated.
Under this model, businesses and duty holders bear the cost of regulatory oversight where their activities give rise to risks requiring intervention or ongoing regulation.
Further details on fees, charges, and guidance are available on the HSE website.
For further information please contact John Myles
