Concerns about the difficulty of identifying safety standards at Adventure Activities Centres or individuals resulted (in 1995) in the Government introducing compulsory inspection and licensing for activity centres providing adventure activities to young people (17 years old and under).

The Licensing Scheme came into force on 16 April 1996 and all those who provide adventure activities that come within scope of the Licensing Regulations 1996 must be licensed. A full list of these providers can be seen here.