labour integrity requirements

Labour integrity requirements (Norwegian: seriøsitetskrav) are mandatory contract conditions that contracting authorities impose in public tenders to combat labour crime and social dumping. They ensure fair wages and proper working conditions, preventing legitimate businesses from being undercut by unscrupulous operators.

How do labour integrity requirements work?

These requirements are included as contract conditions in the tender documents and bind the supplier throughout the contract period. Unlike qualification requirements, which are assessed before the contract is awarded, labour integrity requirements apply during contract execution.

In Norway, the requirements are anchored in the Public Procurement Regulation (FOA) and form a central part of the Norgesmodellen (Norway Model) — the government's initiative to use public purchasing power to promote a fair labour market. The national minimum requirements primarily target construction and cleaning services.

What is required?

The key requirements introduced through the Norway Model include:

• Supply chain limits: A maximum of two tiers of subcontractors below the main supplier (FOA §§ 8-13 and 19-3)
• Bank payment: Wages must be paid through banks or authorised payment institutions
• Wage and working conditions: Conditions must not fall below applicable collective agreements or statutory minimum standards
• Mandatory occupational pension: Suppliers must provide pension schemes for their employees
• HSE cards: Workers in construction must hold valid health, safety and environment identification cards
• Apprenticeship quotas: At least 10% of hours worked must be performed by apprentices in relevant trades

Why compliance matters

Setting strict requirements is only effective when properly enforced. Contracting authorities must have systems for monitoring and sanctions — such as penalty clauses, withholding of payment, or contract termination. Tools like Cobrief can help suppliers track which labour integrity requirements apply across different competitions.

Labour integrity requirements reflect a broader EU/EEA trend towards social clauses in procurement. With annual public spending exceeding NOK 650 billion, Norway's legally mandated standards represent one of Europe's most comprehensive approaches to promoting fair labour markets through public purchasing power.