Arbo catalogue (sector agreements on working conditions)

Explanation

Many arbo requirements are goal-based: they say what must be achieved, for example a maximum noise level, and often leave open how. An arbo catalogue fills that in. Social partners, meaning employer and employee organisations, describe in it working methods, techniques and good practices with which companies meet those requirements. A catalogue can be drawn up for a sector, but also for a single company.

The Netherlands Labour Authority (Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie, until 1 January 2022 Inspectie SZW) reviews an arbo catalogue on its area of application, the representation of its authors, its availability and whether following it leads to compliance with the goal-based requirements. A positive review is valid for six years at most, after which a revised version has to be submitted again. In supervision and enforcement, a positively reviewed catalogue is the starting point.

Using it is not mandatory. You may choose another solution, but then you must be able to show that it gives the same level of protection. If you follow an approved catalogue for the parts it covers, you meet the legal standards for those parts according to the Dutch Arboportaal.

An arbo catalogue does not replace the RI&E. You always make your own RI&E with an action plan and use the catalogue as a source of measures. Not every sector has an approved catalogue and a catalogue can be outdated. Check on the Arboportaal whether an approved catalogue exists for your sector and which version applies.

Example from practice