SI 2016/660
27th June 2016
WSI 2016/664
27th June 2016

Approved Codes of Practice

Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) are published by HSE. ACOPs describe preferred or recommended methods that can be used (or standards to be met) to comply with regulations and the duties imposed by the Health and Safety at Work Act.

ACOPs have a special status in law. If in a prosecution for a breach of health and safety law it is proved that the relevant provisions of an ACOP were not followed, then the defendant will need to show that they complied with the law in some other way.

There are currently fifty-three ACOPS. Copies of these can be found in the Guidance Section (ACOPS/L Series) on the Simplifi-Solutions website.