Cylinders used for the transport of industrial gas by road or rail in the UK are subject to Statutory Regulation. The specific Regulation controlling transport by road and rail is the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2007 (S.I. 1573), and is derived from the European Agreement on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) and the equivalent for rail (RID).

Within the Regulations there is a requirement to subject cylinders to periodic inspection and test. Though cylinders may be transported after their test is due this may only be for the purpose of sending the cylinder for test, i.e. cylinders cannot be re-filled when out-of-test. The test period is defined in the ADR document, but is typically 10 years for most industrial gases. The method of testing is again specified in ADR but there is a presumption of conformity when the cylinders are tested in accordance with specified European Standards, BS EN 1968 for seamless steel cylinders, BS EN 1802 for seamless aluminium cylinders, and BS EN 1803 for welded steel cylinders.

Since July 2006 it has been mandatory for an inspection body carrying out periodic inspection and test to be appointed by the Department for Transport (DfT). This follows an assessment of the body's capability carried out by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS). Several organisations who have been appointed in this way, and offer periodic inspection and test services, are members of BCGA. (Approved bodies can carry out periodic inspection and test of existing cylinders, notified bodies can also carry out initial inspection of new cylinders) They are: