Norway diving regulations: Havtil and the Working Environment Act

Regulator and scope

• LawThe Activities Regulations apply to offshore petroleum activities, subject to the exceptions set out in section 4 of the Framework Regulations. Aktivitetsforskriften (FOR-2010-04-29-613), § 1 første ledd
• LawThe Activities Regulations also apply to activities involving the installations and equipment needed to carry out manned underwater operations from vessels. Aktivitetsforskriften (FOR-2010-04-29-613), § 1 annet ledd
• LawChapter XIX of the Activities Regulations deals with manned underwater operations and has two sections: § 93 on manned underwater operations and § 94 on time rules. Aktivitetsforskriften (FOR-2010-04-29-613), Kap. XIX (§§ 93–94)
• LawThe Petroleum Safety Authority (Petroleumstilsynet) laid down the Activities Regulations on 29 April 2010 under the Petroleum Act and the Working Environment Act, among other legislation. Aktivitetsforskriften (FOR-2010-04-29-613), Hjemmel (preamble)
• LawLovdata presents the Activities Regulations as a current consolidated text: in force since 1 January 2011, last amended by regulation FOR-2025-12-17-2644 with effect from 1 January 2026. The page shows no repeal. Aktivitetsforskriften (FOR-2010-04-29-613), Document metadata
• LawThe regulations require the responsible party to ensure that personnel always have the competence they need to carry out activities in line with health, safety and environment legislation. Aktivitetsforskriften (FOR-2010-04-29-613), § 21 første ledd
• GuidanceHavtil, the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority, is a government supervisory and administrative agency responsible for regulating safety, the working environment, emergency preparedness and security. Havtil role, Introduction
• GuidanceHavtil supervises oil and gas activities on the whole Norwegian continental shelf and seven onshore petroleum facilities. Its supervision covers operators, licensees, contractors and vessel owners. Havtil role, Havtil / Supervisory responsibility

Framework Regulations: underwater operations, standards and amendments

• LawThe Framework Regulations state that the Working Environment Act and the Framework Regulations apply to manned underwater operations in the petroleum activities carried out from vessels or facilities, unless special rules have been set. Framework Regulations (EN), Framework Regulations § 4 first subsection
• LawThe operator is the principal undertaking, but the operator and the party responsible for a manned underwater operation from a vessel or facility may agree which of them takes that role. Framework Regulations (EN), Framework Regulations § 33 second subsection
• LawFor offshore petroleum activities, the plan for development and operation must include an evaluation of the development concept regarding the use of manned underwater operations in all phases. Framework Regulations (EN), Framework Regulations § 27 number 3
• LawA responsible party that uses a standard recommended in the guidelines to a provision can normally assume that the regulatory requirements are met. Other solutions must be documented as meeting the requirements. Framework Regulations (EN), Framework Regulations § 24 first subsection
• GuidanceHavtil says its HSE regulations are updated regularly with the parties in its Regulatory Forum. Amendment proposals usually go out for consultation in July, with an October deadline. Havtil amendments, Introduction

Certificates and competence (petroleum activities)

• LawPersonnel who lead or carry out bell diving or surface-oriented diving in the petroleum activities must hold a valid certificate. Aktivitetsforskriften (FOR-2010-04-29-613), § 21 annet ledd
• LawThe Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havindustritilsynet) designates suitable bodies to train diving personnel and to issue certificates on its behalf. A fee may be charged for issuing a certificate. Aktivitetsforskriften (FOR-2010-04-29-613), § 21 annet ledd

Manned underwater operations and time rules

Chapter 26: diving outside the petroleum activities

• LawChapter 26 of the Regulations concerning the performance of work covers safety and health in work under water or at raised ambient pressure, in sections 26-1 to 26-47. Forskrift om utførelse av arbeid (FOR-2011-12-06-1357), Kapittel 26 (§§ 26-1 – 26-47)
• LawThe Ministry of Labour (Arbeidsdepartementet) laid down the Regulations concerning the performance of work on 6 December 2011 under the Working Environment Act. Forskrift om utførelse av arbeid (FOR-2011-12-06-1357), Hjemmel (preamble)
• LawSeparate sections set qualification requirements for the dive leader (dykkeleder), the diver, the standby diver (beredskapsdykker) and the person acting as line tender. Forskrift om utførelse av arbeid (FOR-2011-12-06-1357), §§ 26-13 – 26-16
• LawThe regulations deal with documented safety training for diver's certificate class A, diver's certificate class B and dive leaders. Forskrift om utførelse av arbeid (FOR-2011-12-06-1357), §§ 26-21 – 26-23
• LawChapter 26 has separate requirements for divers from other EEA countries or Switzerland who set up in Norway or work there temporarily, and a further section on citizens of countries outside the EEA and Switzerland. Forskrift om utførelse av arbeid (FOR-2011-12-06-1357), §§ 26-24 – 26-26
• LawChapter 26 has sections on logging of diving operations and on documentation. Forskrift om utførelse av arbeid (FOR-2011-12-06-1357), §§ 26-34 – 26-35