All cleaning companies must be authorised by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority in order to operate legally.
Authorisation scheme for cleaning companies
All companies that provide cleaning services must apply for authorisation. According to the Regulations, the procurement of cleaning services from unauthorised companies is prohibited.
The authorisation scheme also requires all employees of authorised cleaning companies to carry HSE cards at work.
Application for authorisation
In order to be authorised, the undertaking must submit an application and documentation to the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority via the Altinn website.
It is possible to apply in Norwegian or English. Each legal entity must submit a separate application, i.e. an application must be submitted for each registered organisation number.
Who is to apply for authorisation?
All companies that provide cleaning services in Norway are to apply for authorisation. This also applies to companies that hire out cleaning workers or procure cleaning workers on behalf of clients. The requirement also applies to sole proprietorships that have no employees or are operated jointly by married couples. Companies registered abroad must apply on an equal basis with Norwegian companies.
Authorisation requirements
The company must submit documentation that it:
- provides authorised occupational health services and an internal safety service as required by the Working Environment Act
- has taken out occupational injury insurance for its employees. Foreign registered companies must have arrangements ensuring financial compensation for their workers in the event of occupational injuries
- has written contracts of employment for all of its employees
- complies with the requirements of the Regulations on General Application of the Collective Agreement for Cleaning Companies
In the case of foreign employees from countries outside the EEA area, the company shall submit documentation of residence permits valid for the employment concerned.
In order to be authorised, the company must be registered in the following registers:
- The Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities
- About mandatory registration in the Register of Business Enterprises
- Voluntary registration in the Register of Business Enterprises
- The VAT Register
- The NAV State Register of Employees and Employers
The company must have complied with any obligation to report to the Assignment and employee register of the Norwegian Tax Administration in accordance with section 7-6 of the Tax Assessment Act.
Personnel provision undertakings that hire out cleaning workers must be registered in the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority’s register of personnel provision undertakings.
In the event of subsequent amendments to the authorisation requirements, already authorised companies will also be required to comply with the new requirements. The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority may demand documentation that any new requirements have been complied with.
By 31 January each year, all authorised companies must submit confirmation that the company still meets the requirements for authorisation. Companies that do not submit such confirmation may lose their authorisation.
HSE cards
All companies that provide cleaning services, both Norwegian and foreign, are required to provide their employees with HSE cards for cleaning services. The purpose of such cards is to identify the bearer of the card and the company he or she works for. Applications for HSE cards shall be submitted by the employer for its employees. The requirement regarding HSE cards also applies to one-man enterprises (sole proprietorships without employees).
The same applies to sole proprietorships from countries outside the EEA area.
What happens when you have applied?
When you apply, the application is registered and, when all necessary documentation has been received from your company, information that the company has applied is entered in the authorisation register. Procurers of cleaning services will be able to consult the register to establish which companies have applied and which have been granted authorisation. You will also receive an acknowledgement of your application for authorisation. While your application is pending, you may continue normal operations.
Prohibition against procurement from non-authorised companies
Procurement of cleaning services from unauthorised companies is prohibited. The Regulations do not apply to procurement of cleaning services for private homes.
To find cleaning companies authorised by The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority, you can search the register at arbeidstilsynet.no:
Register of cleaning companies
Consequences of breaches of the Regulations
The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority will supervise compliance with the provisions of the Regulations. When the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority reveals breaches of the Regulations, this may result in penalties pursuant to chapter 19 of the Working Environment Act.
Breaches of other provisions of the Working Environment Act may also result in loss of authorisation by cleaning companies.
Procurers who become aware that the cleaning company they use is not authorised should immediately require the company to register. It is recommended that procurers of cleaning services include a clause in their contracts requiring registration and stating the consequences of failure to register. The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority will supervise compliance with the provisions of the Regulations.