What is HMSREG? Norway's subcontractor registration tool explained

HMSREG is an electronic tool that lets Norwegian contractors register crew and access key compliance information about subcontractors — including tax and fee payment status, staff competence, and adherence to laws and regulations. It's designed to reduce employment-related crime and social dumping by increasing transparency around working conditions on Norwegian construction projects.

Many Norwegian contractors and buyers are now demanding that subcontractors and suppliers register with HMSREG, and not knowing what it is or how to sign up can put you at a disadvantage when bidding for contracts. As transparency regulations like the Norwegian Transparency Act tighten, more contractors are turning to tools like HMSREG to document working conditions. This article explains what HMSREG does, what information contractors can see about your business, and exactly how to register.

What is HMSREG?

HMSREG is an electronic tool to help you register the crew and provide information on who is involved in a project at any given time. Norwegian contractors also gain access to key information, including whether the subcontractor follows laws and regulations, pays its taxes and fees, and whether staff has the right competence.

The purpose of the tool is to reduce employment-related crime and social dumping by increasing transparency regarding working conditions.

HMSREG has partnered with private and public actors to deliver an integrated solution, offering a complete overview of how a company conducts its business. This information is only visible to the main contractor. Among other things, the main contractor can check HSE card status in real time, StartBANK status, and whether a subcontractor subscribes to CoBuilder Collaborate. This helps the contractor decide whether a subcontractor follows regulations, is qualified for the task, and has installed measures to deal with toxic waste. 

How do you sign up with HMSREG?

Subcontractors receive a link to sign in at the contractor's request. Once signed in, the subcontractor can send a link to its own subcontractors, enabling them to sign in as well. The subcontractor creates a company user that is stored for later projects with other main contractors — so it's only necessary to submit information once.

HMSREG includes a free API to integrate the tool with various access control systems, simplifying the crew registration process. In addition, staff can download the mobile application to take necessary courses and contribute to the registration process. 

Also read: ID cards for building and construction sites in Norway

Why should you register with HMSREG?

Registering with HMSREG might give you a competitive advantage when bidding for contracts in Norway. As with StartBANK, it shows how you comply with rules and regulations, making you the easy choice for main contractors. It will also make operations more efficient for future contracts.

The tool is free of charge to subcontractors and suppliers.