SCIOS Scope 8: inspection of electrical installations for occupational safety

SCIOS Scope 8 is an inspection of your fixed electrical installation for occupational safety, carried out by a SCIOS-certified inspection company according to NEN 3140. The aim is to show that nobody can be injured by the installation. Scope 8 is not a legal certificate, but it helps you meet your duty under the Arbobesluit (Dutch Working Conditions Decree). The usual interval is every three to five years.

SCIOS states that the inspection for Scope 8 and 9 is based on NEN 3140, with a fixed inspection plan. Scope 8 is therefore not a different standard, but a certified way to carry out a NEN 3140 inspection. For fire risk there is a separate inspection: SCIOS Scope 10.

It is not your company that is certified, but the inspection company. You receive an inspection report. That report is your evidence for the Netherlands Labour Authority (Arbeidsinspectie), an insurer or a client.

What is the difference between a NEN 3140 inspection and Scope 8?

Any competent person may carry out a NEN 3140 inspection, including your own competent employee. Scope 8 adds a layer on top. The inspection company is certified by a certification body, works with a fixed inspection plan, and its inspectors are assessed.

	NEN 3140 inspection by own VP	SCIOS Scope 8 inspection
Standard	NEN 3140	NEN 3140
Who inspects?	Own competent person with a designation	Inspector from a SCIOS-certified company
Inspection plan	Drawn up yourself	Fixed plan from the SCIOS scheme
Independent?	No	Yes
Assessment of inspector	By your own company	Knowledge based on NEN 3140 plus a practical audit every 18 months
Suitable for	Companies with their own technical department	Almost any company, and as evidence for third parties

Is SCIOS Scope 8 mandatory?

No, not as a certificate. Under article 3 of the Arbowet (Dutch Working Conditions Act), the employer must ensure safe working conditions. The Arbobesluit also requires safe installations (art. 3.4) and inspection by a competent person (art. 7.4a). You choose how you demonstrate this. For tools and devices, the relevant scope is SCIOS Scope 9.

Someone else may still ask for it. Clients can put it in their purchasing conditions, and an insurer such as Interpolis offers it alongside Scope 10. A Scope 8 report is easy for them to check, because the method is fixed.

Overview of the SCIOS scopes for electrical work

SCIOS has more scopes than electrical ones. Heating installations also fall under the scheme. These are the scopes that cover electrical installations, according to the SCIOS overview :

Scope	Covers	When do you need it?
Scope 8	Electrical installations, occupational safety	Periodic inspection of your fixed installation
Scope 9	Electrical work equipment	Inspection of tools and devices
Scope 10	Electrical equipment for fire risk (NTA 8220)	Often required by your fire insurer
Scope 11	Explosion-proof installations	In rooms with explosion risk (ATEX)
Scope 12	Solar power installations (PV)	For solar panels on your premises

What is checked in a Scope 8 inspection?

The inspector follows the inspection plan from the scheme. In broad terms, these are the same components as in any NEN 3140 inspection: a visual inspection, measurements and tests. Think of insulation resistance, the protective conductor and the operation of earth leakage circuit breakers.

The inspector also checks whether you can manage the installation safely. Are the diagrams up to date? Can you switch off parts of the installation in a recognisable way? Has an installation responsible person been appointed? Findings receive an urgency rating, so you know what to deal with first.

Preparing for a SCIOS Scope 8 inspection

Good preparation saves time and money. The price depends mainly on the number of distribution boards and how easily the inspector can reach them. Use this list in the weeks before:

Item	Why	Done?
Up-to-date diagrams of all distribution boards	Required (art. 3.4, paragraph 3) and the inspector works with them	☐
Previous inspection report and proof of repair	Shows what has been fixed since last time	☐
List of changes since the previous inspection	New circuits, machines, charging points	☐
Access to all distribution boards and technical rooms	Keys, clear passage	☐
Agreement on switching off	Some measurements need a short interruption	☐
Contact person or IV present	For questions and to agree switch-off times	☐

For example, a print shop schedules the inspection on a Saturday. That way, the inspector can switch off circuits without the presses stopping. The IV walks along and notes straight away which findings the company’s own technician can fix.

After the Scope 8 inspection

You receive a report with findings and repair deadlines. Have the defects repaired by a competent person, and record who fixed what and when. Keep the report and proof of repair at the workplace, because article 7.4a, paragraph 6 of the Arbobesluit requires this.

Schedule the next inspection straight away. The interval is set by your IV. The Dutch SME Service Desk (Mkb Servicedesk) mentions every three to five years as usual for Scope 8.

Common mistakes with SCIOS Scope 8

Confusing Scope 8 and Scope 9. Scope 8 covers the fixed installation, Scope 9 covers tools and devices. You usually need both.
Choosing a company without a valid certificate. Check this in the SCIOS register .
Not having diagrams ready. The inspector then has to work out how the installation is built, which takes hours.
Putting the report in a drawer. An inspection without repairs is not proof of safety.

For what Scope 8 costs and how a combination with Scope 10 saves money, read costs of a NEN 3140 inspection and SCIOS inspection.

Frequently asked questions about SCIOS Scope 8

May my own electrician carry out the Scope 8 inspection?

Only if their company is SCIOS-certified for Scope 8. If not, they can still carry out a NEN 3140 inspection as a competent person. The report will then not be a Scope 8 report, and a client who requires Scope 8 may not accept it.

How long is a Scope 8 report valid?

The report has no fixed validity. The installation responsible person sets the time until the next inspection, based on the risks. Three to five years is usual. If a client or insurer requires a shorter interval, that interval applies.

Is Scope 8 the same as the installer’s handover inspection?

No. At handover, the installer verifies their own work according to NEN 1010. Scope 8 is a periodic inspection during use, carried out by an independent company. The handover report is a good starting point for the first Scope 8 inspection, though.

How do I find a SCIOS-certified inspection company?

SCIOS keeps an overview of certified companies on scios.nl . Check whether the company is certified for Scope 8. When you request a quote, also ask whether the company can include Scope 9 and Scope 10.

Who certifies the inspection companies?

Certification bodies such as Kiwa and Bureau Veritas assess whether an inspection company meets the SCIOS scheme. They also carry out the practical audits in which an auditor accompanies the inspector.

Does Scope 8 change because of the new NEN 3140?

In 2026, NEN put a revision of NEN 3140 out for public comment. Until the final version is published, SCIOS companies inspect according to NEN 3140:2011+A3:2019. After publication, keep an eye on SCIOS news and your inspection company.