The short answer
The UK banned the import of blue (crocidolite) and brown (amosite) asbestos in 1985. The ban was extended to white asbestos (chrysotile) in 1999. Gov.uk guidance from the UK Health Security Agency says: “the importation of blue and brown asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1985 ... This ban was extended to include white asbestos in 1999” (gov.uk).
So any building built or refurbished before 2000 could contain asbestos.
The three main types
- Crocidolite (blue) and amosite (brown) were used in products such as lagging, sprayed coatings and insulating board.
- Chrysotile (white) was the most widely used. It is found in cement products, textured coatings, floor tiles and many other materials.
The colour names refer to the raw fibre, not to what a finished product looks like. You can’t identify the type by eye. See types of asbestos.
Why “before 2000” is the rule of thumb
Because white asbestos was used until 1999, homes and buildings from the 1980s and 1990s can contain it, as well as older ones. Gov.uk says asbestos “may be present in any house or building built before the year 2000”. HSE says “buildings constructed after 2000 are unlikely to contain asbestos” (HSE).
“Before 2000” isn’t a cut-off date for building materials. Existing stock may have been used up after the ban, and older buildings often have later additions. So treat any pre-2000 building, and any pre-2000 part of a newer one, as possibly containing asbestos until you know otherwise.
The ban didn’t remove existing asbestos
The bans stopped new asbestos coming in. They didn’t require existing asbestos to be taken out. Many homes and non-domestic buildings still contain it. That’s why today’s law focuses on managing asbestos in place and controlling work that could disturb it.
The current law is the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. For non-domestic premises and the common parts of flats, there is a duty to manage asbestos. For anyone doing work, there are rules on identifying asbestos first, licensing and safe methods.
Why it still matters
Asbestos-related diseases can take decades to develop, so the deaths recorded today mostly reflect exposure many years ago. HSE estimates around 5,000 asbestos-related deaths a year in Great Britain (HSE). Anyone who disturbs asbestos now, often without knowing it, is still at risk. That includes tradespeople and people doing their own DIY.
How to find out what’s in your building
You can’t date asbestos by eye, and the age of a building is only a guide. To know for sure:
- look for any existing survey, register or test results, especially for flats and commercial buildings
- have suspect materials sampled and analysed by an accredited laboratory
- before building work, arrange a survey of the areas affected
See where asbestos is found in homes for the materials to look out for.
What it means for your building
- Built after 2000: unlikely to contain asbestos, but check if parts are older.
- Built 1980s to 1999: could still contain white asbestos, for example in cement products and textured coatings.
- Built before the 1980s: could contain any of the types, in a wider range of products. See asbestos in older homes by era.
If you’re planning work on a pre-2000 building, get a survey or a sample tested first.
Quick answers
Was asbestos banned in 2000?
No. Blue and brown asbestos were banned in 1985 and white asbestos in 1999. “Built before 2000” is the rule of thumb.
Is asbestos illegal to have in my house?
No. The bans stopped its supply and new use. Asbestos that’s already in place doesn’t have to be removed by law.
Could a 1990s house contain asbestos?
Yes. White asbestos was still allowed until 1999.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For the law itself, see the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and HSE’s asbestos pages. Not sure what you’re dealing with? Ask us.