Register now for Adventure Activities Licensing Authority review

A major review of the way adventure activities for young people are regulated will take place next year.

But anyone who wishes to take part must register their details with the review team by Thursday 8^th December.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out a review of the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA), which exists to provide assurances to the public about the safety of activity providers who have been granted a licence, so that young people will be able to continue to enjoy exciting and stimulating activities outdoors without being exposed to avoidable risks of death or disabling injury.

The review team will engage, both online and face-to-face with government officials and stakeholders across Great Britain, with the initial stage, starting now and continuing to late January 2017 will inform the content of the formal consultation which is expected to be launched in late February.

However anyone who wishes to take part must send name and contact details, including – if applicable – the organisation and region you represent. Notification should be sent to aala@hse.gov.uk by close of play on Thursday, 8^th December 2016.

The review aims to ensure that AALA remains fit for purpose and that licensing is delivered in a sensible, proportionate and cost-effective manner, and that it increases the participation of young people in adventure activities.

It will look at whether the appropriate activities and groups are covered, whether the fee structure is proportionate and whether it encourages or discourages participation in the scheme, whether the cost of the licence should be proportionate to the actual risk and level of activity, and other issues.

A report is expected to be presented to the HSE Board in late spring 2017.

Full details of the consultation can be read here.