Lost your approval in the cleaning register – what now?
If your cleaning business has been marked «Ikke godkjent» – not approved – in the Labour Inspection Authority's cleaning register, selling cleaning services is unlawful. What matters most is finding out why the approval is missing, putting it right, and getting the business back to a status that allows it to trade.
What does «not approved» mean?
The cleaning register has several statuses. Businesses marked «approved with employees» or «approved without employees» can trade normally. Businesses marked «application being processed» or «HSE card order being processed» also count as lawful while the process runs. «Not approved» is different. The Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) states expressly that selling cleaning services is then unlawful. If the business has existing cleaning contracts, deal with them immediately – an existing customer contract does not make the approval requirement go away. Arbeidstilsynet's overview of the approval scheme is the most important continuing official source.
Why can the approval disappear?
Arbeidstilsynet can withdraw the approval where the business no longer meets the conditions. For a business with employees, the scheme requires an approved occupational health service, the right safety representative or working environment committee arrangement, written contracts of employment, the generally applicable pay and working conditions for the cleaning industry, occupational injury insurance, HSE cards, and correct registrations in the public registers where registration is required. For businesses without employees the documentation requirements are simpler, but the approval and HSE card rules still apply.
Remember the annual declaration
An approval cannot simply be filed away and forgotten. Approved businesses have to confirm each year that they still meet the requirements. If the annual declaration is not filed, Arbeidstilsynet can withdraw the approval. The business must first be warned and given a deadline to comply before the approval is withdrawn. So it matters to read messages from Arbeidstilsynet in Altinn. For approved businesses with employees, the annual declaration has to include updated documentation that the conditions are still met every third year. Arbeidstilsynet writes to say what documentation is required and by when. Businesses without employees do not have to attach the same extensive documentation.
Check pay and employment terms
The cleaning industry has generally applicable pay and working conditions, and on an application for approval Arbeidstilsynet requires documentation of pay and employment terms. The current regulation covers minimum pay, a night supplement, travel time between assignments and the necessary work clothing and footwear. The rates change, so check Arbeidstilsynet's current rates rather than relying on old figures.
What should you do if the status is already «not approved»?
Start with the decision or the letter in Altinn and identify the specific problem. It may be a matter of putting an occupational health service agreement in place, updating contracts of employment, documenting pay, renewing occupational injury insurance, correcting register information or ordering HSE cards. Where Arbeidstilsynet refused the application because documentation was missing, the business can put the deficiencies right and apply again.
When can the business start again?
The business does not necessarily become lawful again the moment a new application is sent. Arbeidstilsynet states that the business receives temporary approval once it starts processing the application. It is then marked «application being processed». Once the business has been cleared to order HSE cards, the status shows «HSE card order being processed». Both statuses allow cleaning services to be offered while the case is dealt with.
Can you appeal, and can you keep trading meanwhile?
Yes, you can appeal. The deadline is three weeks. The appeal goes to Arbeidstilsynet, which first considers whether to change the decision. If it stands, the appeal goes on to the Directorate of Labour Inspection. Businesses receiving decisions digitally should check the deadline in the letter straight away. An appeal should explain which decision is being appealed, why the business says it is wrong, what change is sought, and what documentation supports it. Arbeidstilsynet explains the appeal process and the option of suspension. Trading cannot continue automatically. Appealing a decision does not as a general rule suspend it. The business can ask for suspension while the appeal is considered – and if it would otherwise have to stop every cleaning contract, that should be considered quickly.
Can Arbeidstilsynet impose other measures?
Yes. Breaches of the rules can, depending on the circumstances, lead to orders to put things right, enforcement fines, administrative fines, withdrawal of the approval and, in serious cases, criminal liability. These are not automatic consequences of every missing document. But the business should not keep selling cleaning while marked «not approved» and hope it sorts itself out later.
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This is general guidance, not advice on your specific case. Deadlines, rates and amounts change – always check the current rules, or get in touch with us.
Is it urgent?
We can work out what actually has to be done, what documentation exists and how quickly it can be sorted. You can also reach us in the evenings and at weekends.
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