The BSS was jointly established in 1997 by the Environment Agency and
British Waterways to promote safety on the inland waterways in respect of
boats, their installations and components. Meeting these safety Standards in
order to obtain a navigation licence became a requirement at the same time. To
date, some 45,000 powered craft have successfully met these requirements.

An independent review of the scope of the BSS requirements took place during
2000 and recommended that British Waterways and the Environment Agency
re-publish the full set of Check List items which were for owners of private boats split into essential safety or environmental requirements and best safety practice recommendations.

Following further extensive consultation with the boating public, groups representing these people and professional and trade bodies concerned with craft construction and safety standards contributed to a modernised set of requirements applicable to private craft only. These were introduced in 2005 and can seen in the second edtion of the BSS Essential guide.