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Netherlands diving work regulations (Arbobesluit)

In the Netherlands, diving work is regulated by section 5 of chapter 6 of the Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit), 'Werken onder overdruk'.

Jurisdiction
Netherlands
Built from
1 primary source Law
Sources last checked
28 Sep 2026
Editorial check
28 Sep 2026
How to read this page: four kinds of statement
Law Law / regulation
Legislation: Acts, regulations and statutory instruments. It has the force of law in its jurisdiction.
ACOP / code Approved Code of Practice or code with legal status
A code the law itself gives special status (for example an HSE Approved Code of Practice). Following it is one way of complying; alternatives must be at least as good.
Guidance Regulator or industry guidance
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Explanation Marine Deep explanation
Our own plain-English explanation. It is not a requirement and not legal advice.

Every law, code and guidance statement links to its primary source. Read the source before relying on it: our summary is not a substitute.

Explanation Marine Deep's explanation, not a requirement.

The Dutch rules are in the Arbeidsomstandighedenbesluit (Arbobesluit), articles 6.13 to 6.20, with further detail in ministerial regulations (Arboregeling). The official text is in Dutch; the statements below are our English summaries. Where Dutch terms matter they are kept in brackets.

Diving work under the Arbobesluit

  • LawOnly persons registered in the relevant register (for civil work, the Register civiele duikarbeid) may act as dive team leader, diver or standby diver. Arbobesluit art. 6.13–6.18, art. 6.16 lid 3 and 6
  • LawThe diver and the dive team leader each record the diving work or assistance given in a personal logbook containing at least the information set by ministerial regulation. Arbobesluit art. 6.13–6.18, art. 6.16 lid 5
  • LawCertain diving work (e.g. deeper than 9 m, with planned decompression, breathing gas other than air, or longer than a week) has to be notified to the designated inspectorate at least five working days before it starts. Arbobesluit art. 6.13–6.18, art. 6.17 lid 1
  1. Netherlands Law

    Arbobesluit consolidated version in force from 1 August 2026

    wetten.overheid.nl shows the Arbobesluit version valid from 1 August 2026 as the current text; the page does not say which articles changed.

    Source: Arbobesluit art. 6.13–6.18

  2. Netherlands Law

    Arbobesluit art. 6.15a repealed

    Article 6.15a on certification of the maintenance system for diving and caisson equipment is marked as lapsed from 1 July 2014.

    Source: Arbobesluit art. 6.13–6.18

Dutch primary sources

KindSourceEdition / dateLast checked
LawArbeidsomstandighedenbesluit (Arbobesluit), Hoofdstuk 6 Afdeling 3 — arbeid onder overdruk (art. 6.13–6.18)
wetten.overheid.nl (Government of the Netherlands) · Netherlands		Geldend van 01-08-2026 t/m heden, 1 Aug 202628 Sep 2026