Diving regulations apply within the national territorial waters of the country. In general they do not apply in international waters, but the commercial diving industry operates in international waters, in what is generally known as the offshore diving industry. In these waters the industry is largely self-regulated through voluntary membership of organisations such as the
International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). Members of these organisations are required as a condition of membership to comply with their Codes of Practice. In some jurisdictions specific exemptions and exceptions may be stipulated. For example: • In the US, the
American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) is responsible for the promulgation of the AAUS Standards for Scientific Diving Certification and Operation of Scientific Diving Programs. These are the consensual guidelines for scientific diving programs in the US, and are recognized by
Occupational Safety and Health Administration as the "Standard" for scientific diving. • In the US and South Africa, the recreational diver training and certification industry (professional
recreational diving instructors) and the recreational diving tour guide and
dive leader (professional
divemasters) part of the recreational diving industry are excluded from the diving regulations as being part of a self-regulated industry. The organisations involved include the
World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC) and the
Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques Technical committee. • The
Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques Scientific committee was responsible for the development of the "
Code of Practice for Scientific Diving: Principles for the Safe Practice of Scientific Diving in Different Environments" for
UNESCO In a few cases statutory law exists specifically covering diving activities. • Israel: The Recreational diving Act, 1979 • Denmark and Greenland: Diving Act, Act No.307, dated 17 May 1995 ==Examples==