{{Short description|none}} This list identifies the legislation governing underwater diving activities listed by region. Some legislation affects only professional diving, other may affect only recreational diving, or all diving activities. The list includes primary and delegated legislation, and international standards for the conduct of diving adopted by national states, but does not include legislation or standards relating to manufacture or testing of diving equipment.
==Argentina== {{glossary}}
{{term|1=Ordinance No. 4-08 (dpsn) Volume 5 Regime of Merchant Marine Personnel, July 1, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.argentina.gob.ar/prefecturanaval/reglamentacion/ordenanzas |title=Reglamentacion del buceo professional |language=es |volume=Tomo 5 - Régimen del personal de la marina mercante |date=2008 |website=www.argentina.gob.ar |access-date=2020-10-23 |archive-date=2020-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025002319/https://www.argentina.gob.ar/prefecturanaval/reglamentacion/ordenanzas |url-status=live }}</ref>}} {{defn|1=The regulation of professional diving}}
{{term|1=Ordinance No. 1-01 (dpsn) Volume 4 - Regime of nautical sports activities 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-08|title=Inscribir entidades de buceo deportivo|url=https://www.argentina.gob.ar/inscribir-entidades-de-buceo-deportivo|access-date=2020-10-23|website=Argentina.gob.ar|language=es|archive-date=2020-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021043757/https://www.argentina.gob.ar/inscribir-entidades-de-buceo-deportivo|url-status=live}}</ref>}} {{defn|1=The regulation of recreational diving }}
{{glossary end}}
==Australia==
===Queensland=== {{glossary}} {{term|1=Safety in Recreational Water Activities Act 2011.<ref name="QLD CoP" />}} {{defn|1= }}
{{term|1=Safety in Recreational Water Activities Regulation 2011.<ref name="QLD CoP" />}} {{defn|1= }}
{{term|1=Recreational Diving, Recreational Technical Diving and Snorkelling Code of Practice 2018 }} {{defn|1=A Queensland code of practice under section 43 of the Safety in Recreational Water Activities Act 2011 <ref>{{cite web |title=Recreational Diving, Recreational Technical Diving and Snorkelling Code of Practice 2018</ |url=https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/23596/rec-diving-rec-tech-diving-snorkelling-cop-2018.pdf |website=www.worksafe.qld.gov.au |access-date=9 April 2024 }}</ref>}}
{{glossary end}}
==Austria==
{{glossary}} {{term|content=Verordrung 501: Druckluft- und Taucherarbeiten- Verordnung<ref name="EDTC list"/>}} {{defn|1=Inshore diving}} {{glossary end}}
==Canada==
===Quebec===
{{glossary}} {{term|content=S-3.1 Act respecting safety in sports, Chapter V.2 Recreative underwater diving 1997, c. 37, s. 2.<ref name="S-3.1" />}} {{defn|1=The chapter applies to underwater diving using compressed breathing gas that is not done as part of an occupational activity, and to teaching such diving.}} {{glossary end}}
==Denmark and Greenland==
{{glossary}} {{term|content=Consolidated decree on the entry into force for Greenland of the act on diving operations and diving equipment, etc.<ref name="Denmark" />}} {{term|content=Diving Act, Act No.307, dated 17 May 1995 }} {{defn|1=The act regulates underwater work requiring breathing apparatus which would normally be done for payment, including rescue operations, and specifically excludes tasks related to recreational diving.}} {{glossary end}}
==France==
{{Empty section|date=January 2021}}
==Germany==
{{glossary}} {{term|content=Festlandsockelbergvorordnung<ref name="EDTC list" /> }} {{defn|1=Regulates offshore diving }} {{term|content=Unfallsverhütungsvorschrift "Taucharbeiten" VBG 39<ref name="EDTC list" /> }} {{defn|1=Regulates inshore and inland diving }} {{term|content=Unfallsverhütungsvorschrift "Arbeitsmedizinische Versorge" VBG 100<ref name="EDTC list" /> }} {{defn|1=Requirement for medical certificates }} {{glossary end}}
==Israel==
{{glossary}} {{term|content=Recreational diving Act, 1979<ref name="Rec Diving Act 1979" /> }} {{defn|1=Recreational diving. It is not permitted to dive beyond the level of certification held unless in training with an instructor, and the diver must have appropriate insurance covering diving accidents. Solo diving is prohibited.}} {{glossary end}}
==Italy==
===Sicily=== {{glossary}} {{term|content=Sicilian law on commercial diving training, 2016<ref name="Sicilian law on commercial diving training" /> }} {{defn|1=Regulates training paths for inshore and offshore commercial diving activities, according International Diving Schools Association guidelines and an online database of certified commercial divers.}} {{glossary end}} ==Maldives==
{{glossary}} {{term|content=Maldives Recreational Diving Regulation, 2003<ref name="Maldives RDR 2003" />}} {{defn|1=Recreational diving service providers are required to be licensed. No recreational diving is allowed deeper than 30m or requiring decompression stops. Divers must show evidence of certification and recent experience. Solo diving is forbidden. }} {{glossary end}}
==Malta==
{{glossary}} {{term|content=Recreational Diving Services Regulation, 2012<ref name="Malta RDSR 2012" /> }} {{defn|1=Only diving centres licensed by the Malta Tourism Authority, and meeting their minimum standards for facilities, equipment and service, are allowed to provide diving services to the public. }} {{glossary end}}
==The Netherlands==
{{glossary}} {{term|content=Anschrijving Duikherkammeren<ref name="EDTC list" /> }} {{defn|1=Regulates offshore diving }} {{term|content=Labour and Work Act<ref name="EDTC list" />}} {{defn|1=Regulates inshore and inland diving }} {{glossary end}}
==Norway==
{{glossary}} {{term|content=Regulation relating to manned underwater operations in the petroleum activities with guidelines<ref name="EDTC list"/>}} {{defn|1=Regulates offshore diving }} {{term|content=Dykking Best nr.511 (Diving No. 511)<ref name="EDTC list"/>}} {{defn|1=Regulates inshore diving }} {{glossary end}}
==South Africa==
{{glossary}} {{term|content=Diving Regulations, 2001}} {{defn|1=Occupational health and safety regulating occupational diving operations and training, but explicitly exclude recreational diver training and dive shop operations, which are generally covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993. Superseded by Diving Regulations 2009.}}
{{term|content=Diving Regulations, 2009<ref name="SA Diving Regulations 2009" />}} {{defn|1=DR2009 regulates all commercial diving operations and training, including military and other professional diving, inshore, inland and offshore, but explicitly exclude recreational diver training and dive shop operations, which are generally covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993. Superseded by Diving Regulations 2017}}
{{term|content=Diving Regulations, 2017}} {{defn|1=DR2017 regulates all commercial diving operations and training, including military and other professional diving, inshore, inland and offshore, but explicitly exclude recreational diver training and dive shop operations, which are generally covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993. }}
{{term|content=Code of Practice for Inshore Diving<ref name="CoP Inshore" />}} {{defn|1=The Code of Practice for Inshore Diving provides guidance for accepted safe working practices using surface supplied diving equipment for commercial diving operations within the territorial waters of South Africa. It is incorporated into the Diving Regulations as of 2017}}
{{term|1=Code of Practice for Scientific Diving<ref name="CoP Scientific" /> }} {{defn|1=The Code of Practice for Inshore Diving provides guidance for accepted safe working practices using scuba or surface supplied diving equipment for scientific diving operations within the territorial waters of South Africa.}}
{{term|1=Code of Practice for Commercial Diver Training<ref name="CoP Training" /> }} {{defn|1=The Code of Practice for Commercial Diver Training provides guidance and required minimum standards for accepted safe training practices using scuba or surface supplied diving equipment for diving operations in which learner divers are involved within the territorial waters of South Africa.}}
{{term|1=SANOP 96}} {{defn|1=Diving operations carried out by the South African Navy in compliance wit South African Naval Operational Publication number 96 are deemed to be in compliance with the diving regulations<ref name="SA Diving Regulations 2009" />}} {{glossary end}}
==Spain== The government of Spain issued a royal decree taking effect on 1 July 2020 (''Real Decreto 550/2020 de 2 de junio: Condiciones de Seguridad de las actividades de buceo''), regulating recreational diving activities<ref>{{cite web |url=https://scubasur.net/about-scuba-sur-gran-canaria/canarian-rules-for-recreational-diving/ |title=Diving in the Canaries |website=scubasur.net |access-date=6 September 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://openwater.es/nueva-ley-de-buceo-2020/ |title=New Diving Standard 2020 |website=openwater.es |date=2 July 2020 |access-date=6 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2020-6745 |title=Real Decreto 550/2020, de 2 de junio, por el que se determinan las condiciones de seguridad de las actividades de buceo. |language=es |website=www.boe.es |access-date=7 September 2024 }}</ref> Restrictions include: *a diver must have the appropriate and necessary training for the type of diving intended, *diving service providers and clubs have an obligation to ensure that equipment to be used for diving operations complies with the current regulations and the manufacturer's recommendations, *the minimum age for diving is 18 years, but for recreational diving 8 years, subject to depth limits by age for divers younger than 18 years, *some items of equipment are compulsory, such as: **diving equipment including mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy compensation device, regulator with two second stages, and submersible pressure gauge, **safety equipment including a dive computer or timer and dive tables, a cutting device, a surface marker buoy, and a sound signal for the surface, *fitness to dive according to the RSTC questionnaire. *with the exception of the support vessel, all vessels must remain at least 50 metres from the diving area, *recreational diving is limited to 40 meters depth on air and nitrox, with direct access to the surface, with a buddy, **scheduled decompression diving is not permitted, **penetration diving in caves and wrecks beyond natural light and beyond a penetration of 30 metres is not permitted, **recreational divers must have accident and civil liability insurance covering diving activities.
==Sweden==
{{glossary}} {{term|content=Dykeriarbete (English: Diving Works)<ref name="EDTC list"/>}} {{defn|1=Regulates inshore and inland diving, no offshore regulations }} {{glossary end}}
==Switzerland==
{{glossary}} {{term|content=Hyperbaric Worker Safety Ordinance, 15 April 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2015/239/de |title=Verordnung über die Sicherheit der Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer bei Arbeiten im Überdruck |website=fedlex.ch |language=German |access-date=2 September 2021 |archive-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902152243/https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2015/239/de |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2015/239/fr |title=Ordonnance sur la sécurité des travailleurs lors de travaux en milieu hyperbare |website=fedlex.ch |language=French |access-date=2 September 2021 |archive-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902152246/https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2015/239/fr |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2015/239/it |title=Ordinanza sulla sicurezza dei lavoratori nei lavori in condizioni di sovrappressione |website=fedlex.ch |language=Italian |access-date=2 September 2021 |archive-date=16 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616221440/https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2015/239/it |url-status=live }}</ref>}} {{defn|1=Regulates inshore/inland diving, no offshore regulations }} {{glossary end}}
==United Kingdom==
{{glossary}} {{term|content=Diving at Work Regulations 1997<ref name="Diving at Work Regulations 1997" />}} {{defn|1=The DAWRs regulate all aspects of professional diving (diving at work), including recreational diver instruction and divemasters.}} {{term|content=Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 }} {{defn|1=The MCAA specifies when a licence is required for an activity that involve depositing or removing a substance or object in the UK Marine Area below the mean high water springs mark.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bsac.com/core/core_picker/download.asp?id=25329|title=Marine licensing – Guidance for recreational divers|last=Staff|publisher=British Sub-Aqua Club|access-date=16 November 2016|archive-date=16 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116163859/http://www.bsac.com/core/core_picker/download.asp?id=25329|url-status=live}}</ref>}} {{glossary end}}
==United States==
{{glossary}} {{term|content=Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR), Part Number: 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, Subpart: T - Commercial Diving Operations. Standard Number: 1910.424 - SCUBA diving.<ref name="29 CFR 1910.424" />}} {{defn|1= }} <!-- Commercial Diving Operations A Rule by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on 02/17/2004
Publication Date: 02/17/2004 Agencies: Occupational Safety and Health Administration Dates: This final rule becomes effective on March 18, 2004. Effective Date: 03/18/2004 Document Type: Rule Document Citation: 69 FR 7351 Page: 7351-7366 (16 pages) CFR: 29 CFR 1910 Agency/Docket Number: Docket No. S-550 RIN: 1218-AB97 Document Number: 04-3289 --> {{glossary end}}
===Exemptions=== *Scientific diving<ref name="Schwark">{{cite web |title=Scientific Diving History and the American Academy of Underwater Sciences |first1=Nathan T. |last1=Schwarck |url=https://file.dnr.wa.gov/publications/aqr_divesafetyconf_schwarck.pdf |access-date=4 June 2020}}</ref> *Search and rescue and emergency public safety operations in public safety diving (some states, only when there is a reasonable expectation of rescuing a survivor or when the probable consequences of delay exceed the probable consequences of diving)<ref name="Phillips 2015">{{cite web |url=http://www.psdiver.com/images/112-_PSDiverMonthly.pdf |title=Public Safety Diving and OSHA, Are We Exempt? Final Answer |last=Phillips |first=Mark |date=November 2015 |work=PS Diver Magazine |issue=112 |publisher=Mark Phillips |access-date=7 June 2016 }}</ref> *Covert operations by military divers.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
==References== {{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="29 CFR 1910.424">{{cite web|url=https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9984|title=Subpart: T - Commercial Diving Operations. Standard Number: 1910.424 - SCUBA diving.|work=Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR), Part Number: 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards|publisher=US Department of Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Administration|access-date=16 November 2016|location=Washington, DC|archive-date=9 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509165519/http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="Denmark">{{cite web|url=http://www.dma.dk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Legislation/Acts/2015/AND-1738-16122015-entry%20into%20force%20for%20Greenland%20of%20the%20act%20on%20diving%20operations%20and%20diving%20equipment%20etc.pdf|title=Consolidated decree on the entry into force for Greenland of the act on diving operations and diving equipment, etc|last=Staff|date=16 December 2015|work=Act on diving operations and diving equipment, etc.|publisher=Danish Maritime Authority (Søfartsstyrelsen)|access-date=16 November 2016|location=Copenhagen, Denmark|archive-date=17 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717142856/http://dma.dk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Legislation/Acts/2015/AND-1738-16122015-entry%20into%20force%20for%20Greenland%20of%20the%20act%20on%20diving%20operations%20and%20diving%20equipment%20etc.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="Diving at Work Regulations 1997" >{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/2776/made |title=The Diving at Work Regulations 1997 |last=Staff |year=1977 |work=Statutory Instruments 1997 No. 2776 Health and Safety |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) |location=Kew, Richmond, Surrey |access-date=6 November 2016 |archive-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031191337/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/2776/made |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="EDTC list">{{cite web|url=http://www.edtc.org/European.doc|title=European Diving Regulations|last=Staff|publisher=The European Diving Technology Committee|access-date=16 November 2016|archive-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401044750/http://www.edtc.org/European.doc|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="CoP Inshore">{{cite book |url=http://www.labour.gov.za/DOL/downloads/documents/useful-documents/occupational-health-and-safety/inshorediving2014.pdf |title=Code Of Practice Inshore Diving |last=Diving Advisory Board |publisher=The South African Department of Labour |access-date=16 September 2016 |location=Pretoria |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109161003/http://www.labour.gov.za/DOL/downloads/documents/useful-documents/occupational-health-and-safety/inshorediving2014.pdf |archive-date=9 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="Maldives RDR 2003">{{cite web |url=http://www.tourism.gov.mv/downloads/Maldives%20Recreational%20Diving%20Regulation.pdf |title=Maldives Recreational Diving Regulation |year=2003 |publisher=Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Maldives |access-date=16 November 2016 |archive-date=16 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116163526/http://www.tourism.gov.mv/downloads/Maldives%20Recreational%20Diving%20Regulation.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="Malta RDSR 2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.pdsa.org.mt/rules-regulations/ |title=Legal Notice 359 of 2012: Recreational Diving Services Regulations |date=19 October 2012 |work=Malta Travel and Tourism Services Act: Subsidiary legislation 409.13 |access-date=16 November 2016 |location=Malta |archive-date=9 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109093530/http://pdsa.org.mt/rules-regulations/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="QLD CoP">{{cite web|url=https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/58191/recreational-diving-recreational-technical-diving-snorkelling-cop-2011.pdf|title=Recreational Diving, Recreational Technical Diving and Snorkelling Code of Practice 2011|last=Staff|date=2 December 2011|work=Queensland Government Gazette|publisher=Minister for Education and Industrial Relations|access-date=16 November 2016|location=Brisbane, Queensland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121004430/https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/58191/recreational-diving-recreational-technical-diving-snorkelling-cop-2011.pdf|archive-date=21 January 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Sicilian law on commercial diving training">{{cite web|url=https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2016/10/15/16R00267/s3|title=Sicilian law on commercial diving training|work=Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana|publisher=Regione siciliana|language=it|access-date=7 October 2020|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007152902/https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2016/10/15/16R00267/s3|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="Rec Diving Act 1979">{{cite web|url=https://he.wikisource.org/wiki/%D7%97%D7%95%D7%A7_%D7%94%D7%A6%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94_%D7%94%D7%A1%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%98%D7%99%D7%91%D7%99%D7%AA|title=Recreational diving Act, 1979|year=1979|publisher=Knesset|via=WikiSource|language=he|access-date=16 November 2016|archive-date=1 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001072107/https://he.wikisource.org/wiki/%D7%97%D7%95%D7%A7_%D7%94%D7%A6%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94_%D7%94%D7%A1%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%98%D7%99%D7%91%D7%99%D7%AA|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="S-3.1">{{cite web|url=http://legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/ShowDoc/cs/S-3.1|title=Chapter V.2 Recreative underwater diving|work=S-3.1 - Act respecting safety in sports|publisher=Gouvernement du Québec|access-date=16 November 2016|location=Quebec City|archive-date=16 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116163906/http://legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/ShowDoc/cs/S-3.1|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="SA Diving Regulations 2009">{{cite web |title=Diving Regulations 2009 |work=Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 – Regulations and Notices – Government Notice R41 |url=http://www.saflii.org/za/legis/consol_reg/ohasa85o1993rangnr41716/ |publisher=Government Printer |location=Pretoria |via=Southern African Legal Information Institute |access-date=3 November 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104080007/http://www.saflii.org/za/legis/consol_reg/ohasa85o1993rangnr41716/ |archive-date=4 November 2016 }}</ref>
<ref name="CoP Scientific">{{cite book |url=http://www.labour.gov.za/DOL/downloads/documents/useful-documents/occupational-health-and-safety/scientificdiving2014.pdf |title=Code Of Practice for Scientific Diving |last=Diving Advisory Board |publisher=The South African Department of Labour |access-date=16 September 2016 |location=Pretoria |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109155455/http://www.labour.gov.za/DOL/downloads/documents/useful-documents/occupational-health-and-safety/scientificdiving2014.pdf |archive-date=9 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="CoP Training" >{{cite book |url=http://www.labour.gov.za/DOL/downloads/documents/useful-documents/occupational-health-and-safety/commercialdive2014.pdf |title=Code of Practice for Commercial Diver Training, Revision 3 |last=Diving Advisory Board |year=2007 |publisher=South African Department of Labour |access-date=6 November 2016 |location=Pretoria |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107021628/http://www.labour.gov.za/DOL/downloads/documents/useful-documents/occupational-health-and-safety/commercialdive2014.pdf |archive-date=7 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}
{{Underwater diving|divlaw}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Underwater diving safety Leg Underwater diving