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COMAH containment policy

Find out about the COMAH policy

The Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Containment Policy (the policy) applies to the bulk storage of petroleum products at all establishments where the COMAH Regulations apply.

The policy is a response to recommendations made by the Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board in its Design and Operations report, published in March 2007, and the CA Report on the Findings of the Oil/Fuel Depot Safety and Environmental Reviews.

We developed the policy following a three-month public consultation. It reflects the comments made by both industry, the general public and other interested parties.

The policy takes a risk-based approach, which means that:

  • we expect the highest standards where risks to people and environment are greatest 
  • it will be site specific, depending on the hazards of the substances present 
  • it takes into account the situation, community and environment where sites are located
  • the measures will be implemented according to hazard and risk as soon as reasonably practicable

You can download the COMAH Policy here:

We have also worked with industry to produce supporting guidance which brings together the various sources of standards and guidance for secondary and tertiary containment:

In addition, we have produced Implementation Principles for Regulators, which provides additional guidance for our staff: