API publishes second edition of pipeline safety management systems standard

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2026 - The American Petroleum Institute (API) today published the second edition of API Recommended Practice 1173 (API RP 1173), Pipeline Safety Management Systems, providing clearer, more practical guidance to help pipeline operators and contractors manage risk and continuously improve pipeline safety.

"Effective pipeline safety management requires organizations to continually strengthen their safety programs and practices," API Senior Vice President of Global Industry Services Anchal Liddar said. "Building on years of industry experience, the second edition provides clearer guidance for operators of all sizes and reinforces the critical role contractors play in pipeline safety."

First published in 2015, API RP 1173 is the industry's foundational standard for Pipeline Safety Management Systems (PSMS), which integrates safety management processes and operational practices into a systematic approach to pipeline safety. Built around the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle of continuous improvement, the standard provides guidance on key elements to foster a strong safety culture in which employees and contractors are empowered to identify and address potential hazards before they lead to incidents.

Drawing on lessons learned from implementing PSMS programs, the second edition retains the original 10-element framework while providing greater clarity and new guidance in several areas:

• Stronger integration of safety culture: Whereas the first edition of API RP 1173 treated safety culture in a standalone section, the second edition integrates safety culture characteristics throughout the PSMS elements, reinforcing their role in everyday operations.
• Expanded guidance for smaller operators: A new annex provides a scalable approach for small operators to implement PSMS, recognizing the varying size and complexity of their operations. Building on a concept introduced by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the guidance is designed to encourage even broader adoption of API RP 1173 across the pipeline industry.
• Focus on contractors: The second edition recognizes the critical role that contractors play in pipeline operations by explicitly including them alongside employees throughout the standard.
• New process safety and public engagement annexes: A new annex aligns the elements of existing process safety information with PSMS elements while another annex reinforces the importance of public engagement outlined in API RP 1185, Pipeline Public Engagement.
• Clarified treatment of operational controls: Revisions to the operational controls element clarify key concepts and support more consistent implementation by pipeline operators.

API supports implementation of API RP 1173 through its voluntary Pipeline SMS Assessment Program, which uses third-party experts to evaluate the effectiveness and maturity of operators' pipeline safety management systems as well as contractors' PSMS integration. Learn more at api.org/pipelinesms and pipelinesms.org, and join the 30+ pipeline operators and contractors participating in this industry program.

The second edition of API RP 1173 is available through the API Webstore: apiwebstore.org.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) represents all segments of America's oil and natural gas industry, supporting nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. With approximately 600 members, API companies produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation's energy. Founded in 1919, API has developed over 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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