These Regulations make amendments to the Submarine Pipe-lines (Inspectors etc.) Regulations 1977 and the Submarine Pipe-lines Safety Regulations 1982 in consequence of the transfer of responsibility for the enforcement of those Regulations to the Health and Safety Executive.

The amendments limit the scope of the 1977 and 1982 Regulations, by excluding pipe-lines and parts of pipe-lines in the territorial waters around Northern Ireland, so as to correspond with the scope of the Health and Safety Executive’s powers under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c. 37), as extended in relation to submarine pipe-line works by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) Order 1989 (S.I.1989/840). The amendments also substitute references to the Health and Safety Executive as the authority to which various notices, reports and statements concerning pipe-lines and pipe-line works are to be given under the 1977 and 1982 Regulations.