The current system of external labour protection (occupational safety and health) services was introduced in 2006, following the implementation of new laws that established entirely new procedures and requirements. These changes created a framework involving new participants—competent institutions and competent specialists. Below is detailed information about the system of labour protection services, the qualifications and requirements for competent specialists and institutions, and an overview of their roles and responsibilities.
Published: 08.08.2020.
In accordance with the Labour Protection Law employers must appoint or hire one or more labour protection specialists or enter into a contract with a competent specialist or a competent institution depending on the number of employees and the type of activity in the enterprise.
Competent institutions and competent specialists are external service providers that employers can engage via contracts to establish and manage their enterprise's labour protection system. This includes conducting workplace risk assessments and developing preventive and protective measures.
Engaging competent institutions and specialists is generally voluntary. However, given the high number of serious and fatal workplace accidents, as well as occupational diseases, certain high-risk industries are required to involve a competent institution. These industries, along with exceptions when a competent institution may not be required, are specified in the Cabinet Regulation No. 99 (adopted on February 8, 2005), “Regulation Regarding the Types of Commercial Activities in which an Employer Involves a Competent Authority”.
The qualifications and requirements for competent institutions and specialists are regulated by the Cabinet Regulations No. 723 (adopted on September 8, 2008) “Regulations on requirements for competent institutions and competent specialists in labour protection issues and competence assessment procedures”.
Penalties for non-compliance with the regulatory act are set out in Chapter VI of the Labour Protection Law.
The competent institution is authorized to perform internal supervision of the working environment in enterprise if it has been granted competent institution status by the Ministry of Welfare and meets the following minimum requirements.
- Certified Quality Management System:
The institution must have a certified quality management system, and its competence in labour protection issues must be assessed in accordance with the Cabinet Regulation No. 723 (adopted on September 8, 2008) “Regulations Regarding the Requirements for Competent Authorities and Competent Specialists in Labour Protection Issues and the Procedures for Assessing Competence”. - Civil Liability Insurance:
The institution must maintain civil liability insurance sufficient to cover potential losses due to errors, with a minimum coverage amount equivalent to 50 minimum monthly wages established in Latvia (in 2025, this is €37,000). The insurance must remain valid throughout the institution's operational period. - Qualified Specialists:
The institution must employ under an employment contract, a specialist with higher professional education in labour protection, as well as an occupational health doctor or a public health specialist. - Laboratory and Measuring:
The institution must have either its own accredited laboratory or calibrated measuring apparatus for workplace measurements, or a partnership with an accredited laboratory capable of measuring workplace environmental factors.
To obtain competent institution status, a merchant must apply for quality system certification from an accredited institution that assesses competence in labour protection. Upon successfully meeting the requirements, the certification institution issues a respective quality system certificate.
Following receipt of the quality system certificate, the merchant must apply to the Ministry of Welfare. The application must include the following documents:
- A copy of the quality system certificate issued by the certification institution.
- Confirmation from the employer regarding the employment of the required specialists, including the date, number and duration of their employment contracts.
- Copies of documents certifying the competence of the personnel (e.g., university diplomas or certificates).
- Proof of civil liability insurance, including a receipt or bank payment order confirming payment for the insurance policy.
- If the competent institution is part of a larger company, a description of the company’s structure.
- A description of the planned services.
The Ministry of Welfare reviews the application and accompanying documents within 10 working days and either grants competent institution status, denies the application or requests additional information within 10 working days.
If the application is approved, the Ministry of Welfare will include the institution in the list of competent institutions within five working days. This information is published on the Ministry of Welfare’s website and in the official publisher, Latvijas Vēstnesis.
If the application is denied, the Ministry of Welfare sends the decision to the merchant, who may contest it within one month by submitting an appeal to the State Secretary of the Ministry of Welfare.
When providing labour protection services to enterprises operating under the Cabinet Regulation No. 99 (adopted on February 8, 2005), “Regulation Regarding the Types of Commercial Activities in which an Employer Involves a Competent Authority” with more than five employees, the risk assessment should be carried out by the labour protection specialist, involving the occupational health doctor or public health specialist. These specialists approve the work environment risk assessment and the compiled work protection measures plan.
To provide outsourcing services to enterprises, a competent specialist must hold a first or second cycle higher education degree (bachelor’s or master’s) and a professional qualification in labour protection, as outlined in the profession standards "Labour Protection Senior Specialist" or "Labour Protection Engineer."
A specialist who obtains the required education is allowed to provide services to enterprises for up to five years from the date of receiving the qualification document. After this period, the specialist must apply for personnel certification at an authorized certification institution to obtain a competent specialist certificate, which must be renewed every five years.
The specialist must submit the following documents at the personnel certification institution:
- Education Certificate: a copy of the document certifying professional higher education in labour protection according to the profession standards "Labour Protection Senior Specialist" or "Labour Protection Engineer," or a copy of the competent specialist certificate for the previous period.
- Proof of Practical Activity: one or more documents confirming at least three years of practical activity in the field of labour protection within the last five years.
- Training Records: copies of documents confirming at least 80 hours of training in labour protection issues within the last five years. Training may include topics such as fire safety, electrical safety, civil protection, personal data protection, or other relevant subjects, provided they do not exceed 10% of the total training hours.
The personnel certification institution evaluates the specialist's competence through an exam consisting of theoretical test (a 90-minute written test with 30 multiple-choice questions) and practical assessment (resolution of three pre-prepared situational tasks).
Specialists who pass the certification exam receives a competent specialist certificate, valid for five years. To continue providing services, specialists must renew their certification.
Before starting practical activities, a competent specialist must secure civil liability insurance to cover potential losses due to professional errors. The minimum coverage amount is 25 minimum monthly wages established in Latvia (in 2025, this is €18,500). The insurance must remain valid throughout the specialist’s professional activity.
The Ministry of Welfare publishes data on certified competent specialists on its website. This list includes:
- specialists who obtained higher professional education in labour protection within the last five years and have applied to the Ministry of Welfare, permitting the publication of their personal data;
- specialists who have received the competent specialist certificate.
This procedure complies with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and Council (General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR).