ARTICLE · 02 NOVEMBER 2006

National Individual Asbestos Certification Scheme (NIACS)

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP

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As the first professional indemnity insurance scheme to provide cover to the emerging asbestos inspectors market is launched, providing cover for companies accredited under NIACS, we take a look at the scheme.

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Article by BLG’s Professional Liability and Commercial Litigation Team

As the first professional indemnity insurance scheme to provide cover to the emerging asbestos inspectors market is launched, providing cover for companies accredited under NIACS, we take a look at the scheme.

Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, which came into force on 21 May 2004, requires UK commercial property owners and managers classed as "dutyholders" to assess whether asbestos is present in commercial premises, and if so, to ensure its safe management.

It is estimated that it will cost in the region of £1.4 billion to survey the estimated 800,000 buildings in need of assessment. The burden on the dutyholders is therefore heavy. The required assessment work is clearly of a potentially hazardous nature, and requires the involvement of specialist asbestos inspectors. One would have thought, given the demand for their services stimulated by the legislation, that asbestos

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