The Provision of an Adventure Activity Licensing Authority

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the independent regulator of health and safety and is sponsored by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). HSE is designated as the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) in GB.

The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) is administered by HSE's Local Authority and Safety Unit (LASU). LASU sits within HSE's Operational Strategy Branch. LASU's Entertainment Leisure, Commercial and Consumer Services Sector team provides the policy lead on health and safety within the adventure activity sector, regardless of whether HSE or the Local Authority is the enforcing authority.

The AALA was created following the Lyme Bay canoeing tragedy in March 1993. The MP for Plymouth Devonport, who represented the parents of those who died, introduced a Private Member's Bill, which became the Activity Centres (Young Persons' Safety) Act 1995. Tourism Quality Services (TQS) was the original AALA, until responsibility was transferred to HSE in 2007 however HSE contracted TQS to continue to operate the service on its behalf. From then TQS were formally known as the Adventure Activities Licensing Service (AALS).

The Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations, created under the 1995 Act, apply to four groups of outdoor activities only: caving, climbing, trekking and water sports. These are defined in the Regulations.

The Contractor, on behalf of the AALA, is under contract to inspect providers of licensable activities and make a judgement on their suitability to hold a license, in accordance with the legislation. The Contractor will adhere to the requirements of Regulation 6 (a) of the Regulations and only award licenses to applicants who meet the necessary criteria.