The ASB5 is the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) form used to notify the enforcing authority before licensable work with asbestos is carried out. Its official title is “Notification of asbestos work” and it is required under Regulation 9 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012). This guide explains what the ASB5 covers, who must submit it, the 14-day notice rule, how to complete it online, and how it differs from a notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) notification.
Key Facts
- ✓ ASB5 = “Notification of asbestos work”, required under CAR 2012 Regulation 9
- ✓ Used only for licensable asbestos work — not routine surveys
- ✓ Must be submitted at least 14 days before work begins
- ✓ Submitted by the licensed removal contractor, not the building owner
- ✓ Completed online via the HSE notifications portal — no postal or phone option
- ✓ Notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) uses a different form (ASB NNLW1), with no minimum notice period
What Is the ASB5 Form?
The ASB5 is an online notification submitted to the relevant enforcing authority — usually the HSE, or the Office of Rail and Road for railway premises — before a licensed contractor starts work with asbestos that requires a licence. It exists so the authority knows where and when higher-risk asbestos work is happening, and can inspect the site if it chooses to.
A valid notification is more than the form alone. Under CAR 2012 Regulation 9, the licence holder must provide the completed ASB5, a suitable and sufficient plan of work, and confirmation of their current asbestos licence. The 14-day clock only starts once a complete, valid notification has been submitted.
When Is an ASB5 Required? The Three Categories of Asbestos Work
Whether a notification is needed — and which form to use — depends on the type of work, not the type of building. HSE guidance splits work with asbestos into three categories:
| Category | Examples | Notification |
|---|---|---|
| Licensable work | Removing pipe lagging, sprayed coatings, or asbestos insulating board (AIB) | ASB5 — at least 14 days before work starts |
| Notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) | Short-duration removal of some textured coatings, AIB in good condition, certain asbestos cement work | ASB NNLW1 — before work starts, no minimum notice |
| Non-notifiable non-licensed work | Minor work on asbestos cement sheets or textiles in good condition | No notification required |
The ASB5 applies only to the first category. Deciding which category a job falls into is a judgement for the licensed contractor based on the material, its condition, and the nature of the work — informed by the asbestos survey carried out beforehand.
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Who Submits the ASB5?
The ASB5 is submitted by the licensed asbestos removal contractor (LARC) who holds the HSE asbestos licence and will carry out the work — not the building owner, client, or surveyor. However, the 14-day notice period directly affects everyone's project programme, so clients and principal contractors need to understand it when planning refurbishment or demolition.
If you are a duty holder or client, your practical responsibility is to appoint a licensed contractor early enough that the notification and 14-day period do not delay the works that follow.
The 14-Day Notice Period
Regulation 9 requires the notification to reach the enforcing authority at least 14 days before licensable work begins. The authority can agree to a shorter period in writing, but this is reserved for genuine emergencies — such as severely damaged asbestos creating an immediate risk. Ordinary project deadlines and programme pressure do not qualify for a waiver.
For a demolition or refurbishment project, the ASB5 sits inside a longer sequence: survey → report → ASB5 notification (14 days) → licensed removal → 4-stage air clearance. In practice, allow a minimum of 4–6 weeks between commissioning the survey and starting works where licensed asbestos is likely to be present.
How to Complete the ASB5 Online
The ASB5 is submitted through the HSE's online notifications portal — it cannot be notified by phone or post. The licence holder registers for an account and completes the e-form, which asks for:
- The licence holder's details and asbestos licence number
- The site address where the work will take place
- The type, quantity, and location of the asbestos-containing materials
- The planned start date and expected duration of the work
- A summary of the plan of work, including enclosure and control measures
Once submitted, the notification can be updated if details change before work starts. Keeping a copy of the submitted ASB5 with the plan of work forms part of the records the HSE expects a licensed contractor to hold.
ASB5 vs NNLW: Which Notification Do You Need?
These two are frequently confused. The ASB5 is for licensable work and needs 14 days' notice. Notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) is lower-risk work that still has to be notified, but on a different form — ASB NNLW1 — with no minimum notice period and no need to wait for authority permission before starting.
| ASB5 (Licensed) | ASB NNLW1 (NNLW) | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of work | Licensable asbestos work | Notifiable non-licensed work |
| Form | ASB5 — Notification of asbestos work | ASB NNLW1 |
| Notice period | At least 14 days | Before work starts, no minimum |
| Who notifies | Licensed removal contractor | The employer carrying out the work |
| Legal basis | CAR 2012 Regulation 9 | CAR 2012 Regulation 9 (non-licensed duties) |
What Happens If Work Isn't Notified?
Failing to submit a valid ASB5 before licensable work — or starting inside the 14-day period without written agreement — is a breach of CAR 2012 and a criminal offence. The HSE can issue improvement or prohibition notices, halt the work, and prosecute. Because licensable work involves the highest-risk asbestos materials, enforcement in this area is taken seriously and penalties can be substantial.
Where the ASB5 Fits in Your Project
You will only reach the ASB5 stage once a survey has identified licensable asbestos that must be removed. The usual order is:
- Commission a UKAS-accredited refurbishment or demolition survey to locate all ACMs
- Appoint a licensed removal contractor, who submits the ASB5 (14-day notice)
- Licensed removal is carried out in a sealed, monitored enclosure
- An independent analyst completes the 4-stage air clearance before the area is handed back
Every stage before removal depends on an accurate survey. Find a UKAS-accredited surveyor to get the process started correctly.
Summary
- The ASB5 (“Notification of asbestos work”) notifies the HSE of licensable asbestos work under CAR 2012 Regulation 9
- It must be submitted at least 14 days before work starts, online, by the licensed removal contractor
- A valid notification includes the ASB5, a plan of work, and the contractor's licence
- Notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) uses the separate ASB NNLW1 form with no minimum notice
- Missing or late notification is a criminal offence and can stop your project