Appointing a VP and VOP under NEN 3140

A competent person (VP, vakbekwaam persoon) carries out electrotechnical work independently. An adequately instructed person (VOP, voldoende onderricht persoon) only carries out specific tasks they have been instructed on. Under NEN 3140, the employer appoints both in writing. The appointment states exactly what someone may do, on which installation and with which equipment. A training certificate alone is not an appointment.

The obligation comes from article 3.5 of the Arbobesluit (Dutch Working Conditions Decree) : electrotechnical work involving danger is carried out “by expert, adequately instructed and authorised employees”. NEN 3140 makes this concrete with four appointments. Alongside the VP and VOP, these are the installation manager and work manager.

Training and appointment are two different things. The course shows that someone can do something. The employer’s appointment determines what that person may do for you.

What is the difference between a VP and a VOP?

According to NEN , a VP can “independently assess hazards and risks and take effective measures”. A VOP is “someone who has been instructed on specific tasks”. A VP or work manager (werkverantwoordelijke, WV) can give that instruction. For the training you choose, see the NEN 3140 course and the NEN 3140 practice exam.

	Competent person (VP)	Adequately instructed person (VOP)
What may they do?	Carry out electrotechnical work independently, within their appointment	Only the tasks they have been instructed on
Background	Electrotechnical training and experience	Usually not trained in electrotechnics
Typical roles	Fitter, inspector, technical services employee	Operator, refrigeration fitter, fitter of PV panels or charging points, forklift driver
Assessing risks	Independently	Within the limits of the instruction
Who instructs?	Training and experience	A VP or WV

The examples of VOPs come from Techniek Nederland . Cleaners who work with machines where electrical risks exist can also receive a VOP appointment.

When is someone not a VP or VOP?

An employee who only plugs a device into a socket, or switches an appliance on and off, does not need an appointment. As soon as someone opens a cabinet, replaces a fuse, resets a machine after a fault or takes measurements, it is different. Unsure? Check whether the task is listed as an electrical risk in your risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E).

What must an appointment under NEN 3140 contain?

Techniek Nederland summarises annex D of NEN 3140. An appointment contains at least:

Element	Example
Name, date of birth and job title	Sanne Jansen, 12 March 1994, operator
Appointment type	VOP
Start date and possibly an end date	1 November 2026 to 1 November 2029
Installations or parts you may work on	Packaging lines 1 and 2
Which tasks	Resetting after a fault, replacing fuses in the line cabinet
In which room(s)	Production hall B
Responsibilities and authorities	May open the line cabinet after switching off, no work on live parts
Tools, measuring equipment and PPE (personal protective equipment, PBM)	Voltage tester, insulated tools, safety goggles
Place and date	Zwolle, 28 October 2026
Signatures	Of the appointing person and of the appointed person

You may only appoint someone once it is clear that they have enough knowledge, experience and resources to do the work safely.

Sample VOP appointment letter (NEN 3140)

Use this letter and replace the details of the fictional food company with your own. Keep a signed copy in the personnel file.


APPOINTMENT AS ADEQUATELY INSTRUCTED PERSON (VOP) UNDER NEN 3140

Employer:             Voedingsbedrijf De Akker B.V., Zwolle
Appointed person:     Sanne Jansen, born 12 March 1994, job title operator
Appointment:          Adequately instructed person (VOP)
Valid from/to:        1 November 2026 to 1 November 2029, or earlier if the job changes

Installation:         Packaging lines 1 and 2, production hall B
Permitted tasks:      - resetting the line after a fault
                      - replacing fuse cartridges in the line cabinet after switching off
Not permitted:        - work on live parts
                      - changes to wiring or protective devices

Tools and PPE:        2-pole voltage tester, insulated tools,
                      safety goggles
Instruction given by: R. Smit (VP), on 14 October 2026
Responsible:          installation manager M. de Wit

The appointed person confirms that they have received and understood the instruction,
and reports unsafe situations to the installation manager immediately.

Place and date:       Zwolle, 28 October 2026

Employer's signature:                Appointed person's signature:
.......................              .......................

A VP appointment looks the same but describes broader tasks. For example: “independent maintenance, fault finding and extensions to all low-voltage installations at the Zwolle site, including measurements for periodic inspections”. Work on live parts needs a separate entry. Article 3.5 paragraph 5 of the Arbobesluit allows that only where there is proven urgent need and an explicit instruction.

Step-by-step plan: appointing VPs and VOPs

Techniek Nederland describes the appointment policy in four steps. This is how to approach it:

Explain

Make clear which roles exist and what each role may do. Use the table above.

Inventory

For each employee, map which tasks involve electrical risk, what knowledge and experience they have, and what training or instruction is missing.

Appoint

Determine the role, tasks, installations and tools for each person. Have the installation manager advise you.

Record

Have the employer and the employee sign the appointment, and keep it in the personnel file.

How long is a VP or VOP appointment valid?

The appointment has a start date and possibly an end date. The law does not prescribe a fixed validity period. Many companies choose a period that matches the refresher course from their training provider. If the job or the work changes, appoint again.

What does the inspector or auditor want to see?

Signed appointments from everyone who works on or near installations
An appointment that matches what the person actually does in practice
Proof of training or instruction, with the date and the name of the instructor
An overview of all appointed persons, for example in your competence matrix

A VCA auditor also looks at this, alongside personal certificates. A B-VCA diploma says nothing about competence for electrical work.

Common mistakes with VP and VOP appointments

Only a course certificate on file. Without a signed appointment, nobody is authorised.
A general appointment. “VOP for all installations” is too broad. Name the installations and tasks.
Forgetting hired and temporary workers. They also need an appointment from your organisation to work on your installation.
Not re-appointing after a change of role. The old appointment then no longer fits the work.