The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for the non-tidal River Thames and carries out its duties (including regulating all types of river traffic) under the Thames Conservancy Acts 1932, 1950, 1959, 1966 and 1972 and the byelaws made under them.
The operation of passenger and other commercial river traffic within the United Kingdom is more specifically regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport) under shipping legislation, statutory instruments and other associated regulations.