Lift and Elevator Codes and Standards in Netherlands

The Warenwetbesluit liften 2016 (a decree under the Commodities Act) transposes Directive 2014/33/EU and also governs lifts in use. New lifts are CE-marked after conformity assessment involving an EU notified body; in service, the owner must keep the lift maintained and have it inspected every 18 months by a Dutch conformity assessment body (NL-CBI) designated by the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW). The inspection criteria are the scheme managed by Stichting Beheer Certificatie Liften (SBCL); the Netherlands Labour Authority supervises. Lifts installed before 1 July 1999 are assessed against the rules in force at installation.

Who regulates lifts

Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW); supervision by the Netherlands Labour Authority (Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie)

Periodic inspection

Every 18 months by a designated NL-CBI (inspection body), to the SBCL scheme for lifts in use.

Installer and maintenance licensing

No company licence found; the lift standard distinguishes 'bevoegd persoon' and 'deskundig persoon' for work in restricted zones (shaft, machine room).

Laws, codes and standards

Directive 2014/33/EU — Lifts Directive: harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to lifts and safety components for lifts
Mandatory · EU directive, binding through national transposition (see the national transposition instrument in this country's list). Repealed Directive 95/16/EC with effect from 20 April 2016. · European Parliament and Council
Warenwetbesluit liften 2016 (2016) — Commodities Act Decree on Lifts 2016
Mandatory · Warenwet (Commodities Act); transposes Directive 2014/33/EU and sets the 18-month inspection duty for lifts in use. · Government of the Netherlands
EN 115-1 — Safety of escalators and moving walks - Part 1: Construction and installation
Harmonised (presumption of conformity) · Escalators and moving walks fall under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, not the Lifts Directive; EN 115-1 supports its essential requirements. · CEN/TC 10 (WG 2)
EN 81-20 (2020) — Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Part 20: Passenger and goods passenger lifts
Harmonised (presumption of conformity) · Reference published in the OJEU under Directive 2014/33/EU by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/76; replaces EN 81-20:2014. · CEN/TC 10
EN 81-50 (2020) — Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Examinations and tests - Part 50: Design rules, calculations, examinations and tests of lift components
Harmonised (presumption of conformity) · Reference published in the OJEU under Directive 2014/33/EU by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/76. · CEN/TC 10
EN 81-70 — Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Particular applications for passenger and goods passenger lifts - Part 70: Accessibility to lifts for persons including persons with disability
Voluntary · Applied through national accessibility/building rules where referenced. · CEN/TC 10
EN 81-80 (2019) — Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Existing lifts - Part 80: Rules for the improvement of safety of existing passenger and goods passenger lifts
Voluntary · Not harmonised (existing lifts are outside the Lifts Directive); binding only where a national rule refers to it. · CEN/TC 10
SBCL keuringsschema voor liften in de gebruiksfase — SBCL inspection scheme for lifts in the use phase
Referenced by law · Inspection criteria used by the CBIs designated by the Minister of SZW under the Warenwetbesluit liften (managed by SBCL since 2016). · Stichting Beheer Certificatie Liften (SBCL)

Lift associations and bodies

Last verified 2026-10-16. Standards are copyrighted: we list which one applies and its legal status, not its text.