Todate, six countries became statutory members: Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom (Feb. 2024)

These countries recognize specifically occupational scientific diving (OSD) by law. They have set up a national scientific diving committee. They apply ESDP standards (or equivalent) to training and certification. They are able to produce the corresponding legal texts and a list of accredited training centers. (cf. ESDP’s membership)

CountryTitleLegal DocumentsOSD
by Law
Standards included in the law
BelgiumArrêté Royal du 7 Février 2018, code du bien être au travail, titre 4 : tavaux en milieu hyperbare. Moniteur Belge 26/2/2018/200360linkYesYes
Finland*Valtioneuvoston asetus 1209/2019 rakennustyötä tekevän sukeltajan pätevyydestä ja turvallisuussuunnitelmasta annetun valtioneuvoston asetuksen 2 §:n muuttamisestalink

Qualification requirements
link

link
YesYes
FranceDécret n° 2011-45 du 11 janvier 2011 relatif à la protection des travailleurs intervenant en milieu hyperbare
Amended 2022
link
version 2023
YesYes
GermanyRegel “Einsatz von Forschungstauchern” (BGR/GUV-R 2112) Juni 2001
Amended 2011
Arbeitsschutzgesetz
link

7. Buch Sozialgesetzbuch
link
YesYes
NorwayArbeidstilsynet_Dykking

Forskrift om utførelse av arbeid, bruk av arbeidsutstyr og tilhørende tekniske krav (forskrift om utførelse av arbeid) _ Fjerde del: Krav til annet risikoutsatt arbeid _ Kapittel 26. Om sikkerhet og helse ved arbeid under vann eller økt omgivende trykk
Arbeidstilsynet
link

utførelse av arbeid
link
= commercial divingYes
PolandUSTAWA z dnia 17 października 2003 r. o wykonywaniu prac podwodnychlinkYesNo
SpainReal Decreto 550/2020, de 2 de junio, por el que se determinan las condiciones de seguridad de las actividades de buceolinkdepending on communityNo
SwedenAFS 2010:16 / Dykeriarbete
Arbetsmiljöverkets föreskrifter om dykeriarbete samt allmänna råd om tillämpningen av föreskrifterna.
amended 2019
linkYesYes
United KingdomThe Diving at Work Regulations 1997: UK Statutory Instruments, 1997, N° 2776linkYesYes
European legal references for scientific diving at work: founding text and definition of minimum standards for initial training [system A(ESD) or equivalent].
Occupational Scientific Diving is recognized by law in 9 European countries.  7 of them have already incorporated minimum initial training standards into their legislation governing such diving

(*) Finish committee is not yet legally recognized