The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced last week the launch of a Call for Evidence (CfE) to review the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR).

HSE is inviting input from industry stakeholders, professional bodies, and organisations with relevant experience and expertise, with the CfE running from 1 October 2025 until 11 November 2025.

The main objective of the CfE is to establish a comprehensive evidence base to inform viable opportunities for simplifying and streamlining regulatory processes. The review will reflect the current industry landscape, anticipate future innovation, and maintain workplace health and safety standards.

Kate Haire, Deputy Director of Direction and Policy at HSE said: “This review represents a targeted approach to regulatory reform rather than an overhaul of the frameworks. We want a regulatory system that not only protects those at work, but also encourages new investment, innovation, and growth.

“We are focused on targeting amendments that will enhance clarity, simplify requirements, and modernise processes. Our aim is to ensure that we deliver proportionate regulatory requirements, maintaining safety standards, but minimising the unnecessary costs and compliance barriers faced by businesses.

“Our initial assessment indicates that LOLER and PSSR are generally founded on sound engineering principles, reflect well-established practices, and are deeply embedded across a wide range of sectors. However, we recognise that the emergence of new technologies, particularly those underpinning net zero transitions such as hydrogen, introduce new risk profiles, which is why we are looking to update our evidence base.”

HSE’s review is part of the organisation’s wider response to the government’s plans to support growth through the Regulation action Plan. The CfE will serve as a preliminary validation of the practical implications of existing regulations, drawing on stakeholder insights to ensure no critical considerations are overlooked. It aims to identify any unnecessary administrative or financial burdens that do not meaningfully contribute to risk reduction, assess whether regulations have become outdated in practice, and explore opportunities for reform that could enhance regulatory clarity, foster innovation, and support economic growth.