Sector guide
17 obligations that are typically legally required, 19 in all — with the legislation, renewal frequency and penalties behind each.
A dental practice carries one of the densest compliance loads of any small business: CQC registration, radiation protection, infection prevention, clinical waste — layered on top of all the premises duties (fire, electrical, gas, legionella) every workplace carries.
This guide lists the obligations that typically apply to a practice in England & Wales, with the legislation behind each, how often it renews, and the penalties enforcement can bring.
The duties that generally apply to premises like yours under UK law, with what enforcement can look like.
Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Duty of Care); Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005; HTM 07-01
Improper handling or disposal of clinical waste is an offence under the EPA 1990 / Hazardous Waste Regulations: enforcement and unlimited fines.
Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014
Carrying on a regulated activity without CQC registration is a criminal offence; CQC can prosecute, impose conditions, or suspend/cancel registration.
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989; HSW Act 1974
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969
GBP 2,500 per day without it; GBP 1,000 for not displaying certificate
Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations
Unlawful to let with F or G rating; fines vary
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005; Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
Enforced under the RRFSO 2005.
Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981; HSW Act 1974
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Dentists Act 1984 (ss.38-39)
Practising dentistry or using a protected title while unregistered is a criminal offence prosecuted by the GDC (unlimited fine).
Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999; HSW Act 1974
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (regs.12 & 15); HTM 01-05 (paras 1.7, 2.21)
Inadequate decontamination/infection control breaches the fundamental standards; CQC enforcement up to prosecution and cancellation of registration.
HSW Act 1974; COSHH 2002; ACoP L8
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974 and COSHH 2002: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989; HSW Act 1974
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17); Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017
Enforced by the HSE (IRR17) and CQC (IR(ME)R): operating X-ray equipment without the required radiation-protection arrangements can lead to enforcement notices, prosecution and unlimited fines.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013; HSW Act 1974
Failure to report is a criminal offence: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
HTM 01-05 (Ch.12, para 12.2; EN 13060); Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PM73)
An autoclave without a valid Written Scheme of Examination/examination is an offence (PSSR 2000, HSE-enforced: notices and unlimited fines); failed decontamination validation breaches the CQC fundamental standards and the equipment must be withdrawn from use.
Environmental Protection Act 1990 s34; Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011
Breach of the waste duty of care is a criminal offence: summary conviction a fine; on indictment an unlimited fine.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 s2(3)
Failure to prepare/revise a written policy where required is an offence under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Extra duties that switch on with a feature of the building or how you operate.
Gas appliances or a gas boiler
A passenger or goods lift
Pressure systems (boilers, compressors)
Computer workstations
A commercial kitchen or food preparation
Heavy lifting or moving people
Hazardous substances (COSHH)
Work at height (ladders, roofs)
Workplace vehicles or forklifts
Fume or dust extraction (LEV)
A swimming or spa pool
A building constructed before 2000
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This guide highlights the obligations, frequencies and penalties that typically apply to premises like yours in England & Wales — general information to help you act on your duties, not legal advice and not a definitive statement of your position. You remain the duty-holder; take your own professional advice where you need certainty. Keeval is a trading name of Brenkon Holdings Limited (no. 16987530).