Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals that were extensively used in construction, particularly between the 1950s and 1990s, due to their tensile strength, fire resistance, insulation, and affordability. However, it was later discovered that asbestos fibers could cause serious lung diseases, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, when inhaled or ingested. Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye and can be released into the air when asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are damaged, drilled, sanded, or disturbed in any way.

Building owners, property managers, contractors, and workers have a legal obligation to identify and manage any ACMs in their buildings to protect building occupants, visitors, and employees from the health hazards of asbestos. Asbestos testing, also known as asbestos surveying, involves taking samples of suspicious materials and analyzing them in a UKAS-accredited laboratory to determine if they contain asbestos and, if so, their type, quantity, and condition. Asbestos testing is the first step in developing an asbestos management plan and ensuring compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.