What is the register and approval of cleaning companies?
In Norway all companies offering cleaning services must obtain approval (godkjenning) from Arbeidstilsynet and be entered in the Renholdsregisteret. It is forbidden to use cleaning services from unapproved companies – this also applies to private individuals and sole proprietorships. Approval confirms that the company meets the requirements of labour law, health and safety, and wage conditions in the industry.
Who must apply for approval?
Approval is required for:
- all entities providing cleaning services (including sole proprietorships),
- both cleaning for business clients and for private individuals.
Companies without employees submit the application without attachments. Companies employing staff submit the application with documentation confirming that the requirements are met.
Requirements for companies with employees
The application must include confirmation that the company:
- is affiliated with an approved occupational health service (bedriftshelsetjeneste),
- meets the requirements for vernetjeneste (occupational safety organisation),
- has written employment contracts for all employee groups in line with the law,
- meets the requirements of allmenngjøring (universally applicable rates) for the cleaning industry,
- provides employees with compensation for occupational accidents (ordning ved yrkesskade).
Obligations of clients (those using cleaning companies)
Clients may purchase services only from approved cleaning companies. They should:
- check the company in Renholdsregisteret before entering into a contract,
- apply the påseplikt routine (duty to ensure compliance), including reviewing the supplier’s documents,
- check HMS cards for cleaning staff at the place of assignment.
What does the service include?
The intermediary service for obtaining approval for a cleaning company includes:
- A list of required documents and compiling the attachments,
- Preparing and submitting the application for approval,
- Monitoring the status and communication with the authority,
What does the process look like?
- Preparation – we help you meet the requirements (BHT, vernetjeneste, contracts, wages),
- Application in Altinn – we submit the complete documentation,
- Decision – once approved, you receive information about the possibility of ordering HMS cards,
- HMS cards – you order cards for all cleaners; once they have been issued, the company appears as “approved”
NOTE: Our service covers intermediary support and formal assistance. We do not decide whether approval is granted or how long the processing takes.