March 02, 2026
According to regulations issued by the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection – Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap (DSB), every company performing work covered by electrical installation regulations must appoint a person acting as faglig ansvarlig.
The legal basis includes, among others:
Yes – if it performs work requiring registration in the Elvirksomhetsregisteret.
According to DSB guidelines, this person should:
DSB emphasizes that this role is not purely formal – it requires real involvement in the company’s operations.
The FEK regulations do not explicitly prohibit performing this function in more than one enterprise. However, DSB indicates that:
Does an electrical company in Norway need a faglig ansvarlig?
Yes. Any company performing work requiring registration in the Elvirksomhetsregisteret must appoint a person acting as faglig ansvarlig in accordance with FEK.
The faglig ansvarlig is a key function in a Norwegian electrical company.
It is not an administrative role nor a “registration formality,” but a central element of the system ensuring safety and compliance with technical regulations.
Sources
Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap (DSB) – Faglig ansvarlig – presence and duties
https://www.dsb.no/elsikkerhet/presiseringer-til-regelverket/faglig-ansvarlig---tilstedevarelse-og-oppgaver/
Regulation on Electrical Enterprises and Qualification Requirements (FEK)
https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2013-06-19-739
Elvirksomhetsregisteret – registration information
https://www.dsb.no/lover/elvirksomhetsregisteret/
Act relating to supervision of electrical installations and electrical equipment
https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/1929-05-24-4
Author: Anna Korpalska
Graphics: Canva
What is a faglig ansvarlig?
According to regulations issued by the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection – Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap (DSB), every company performing work covered by electrical installation regulations must appoint a person acting as faglig ansvarlig.
A faglig ansvarlig is a person who:
- holds the required professional qualifications,
- ensures that the company’s operations are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations,
- is responsible for the quality system and professional supervision of the work performed.
The legal basis includes, among others:
- Regulation on Electrical Enterprises and Qualification Requirements (FEK)
- Act relating to supervision of electrical installations and electrical equipment (El-tilsynsloven)
Must every electrical company have a faglig ansvarlig?
Yes – if it performs work requiring registration in the Elvirksomhetsregisteret.
This register is maintained by DSB and includes enterprises carrying out work on electrical installations. Without appointing a faglig ansvarlig, a company will not be registered.
What are the main duties of a faglig ansvarlig?
According to DSB guidelines, this person should:
- supervise the execution of work,
- ensure compliance with technical regulations (including FEL and NEK 400),
- safeguard employee competence,
- participate in the development and maintenance of the internal control system (internkontroll).
DSB emphasizes that this role is not purely formal – it requires real involvement in the company’s operations.
Can a faglig ansvarlig work in several companies?
The FEK regulations do not explicitly prohibit performing this function in more than one enterprise. However, DSB indicates that:
- the scope of duties must be realistically manageable,
- the person must have actual influence over the company’s operations,
- supervision cannot exist only “on paper.”
Each company should assess the situation individually, taking into account the scale of operations, the number of projects, and the organizational structure.
Most common mistakes made by foreign companies
- Treating the faglig ansvarlig as a “registration requirement” rather than an operational function.
- Lack of real supervision when handling a large number of projects.
- Unclear contracts regulating the scope of responsibility.
- Registering business activity before ensuring the required qualifications are in place.
FAQ – Faglig ansvarlig and electrical supervision in Norway
Does an electrical company in Norway need a faglig ansvarlig?
Yes. Any company performing work requiring registration in the Elvirksomhetsregisteret must appoint a person acting as faglig ansvarlig in accordance with FEK.
Can a faglig ansvarlig be employed part-time?
The regulations do not specify a minimum employment percentage. However, the person must genuinely perform their duties and exercise actual supervision over the company’s activities.
The regulations do not specify a minimum employment percentage. However, the person must genuinely perform their duties and exercise actual supervision over the company’s activities.
Can one person act as faglig ansvarlig in several companies?
There is no absolute prohibition in the regulations. However, DSB requires that supervision be real and proportionate to the scope of activities in each company. Working hours in both companies cannot overlap.
There is no absolute prohibition in the regulations. However, DSB requires that supervision be real and proportionate to the scope of activities in each company. Working hours in both companies cannot overlap.
Summary
The faglig ansvarlig is a key function in a Norwegian electrical company.
It is not an administrative role nor a “registration formality,” but a central element of the system ensuring safety and compliance with technical regulations.
Sources
Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap (DSB) – Faglig ansvarlig – presence and duties
Regulation on Electrical Enterprises and Qualification Requirements (FEK)
Elvirksomhetsregisteret – registration information
Act relating to supervision of electrical installations and electrical equipment
Graphics: Canva
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