Inspection bodies

Tukes approves inspection bodies for the inspection of equipment and installations as well as the certifi-cation of persons in various fields.

Tukes approves inspection bodies for the commissioning and periodic inspections of equipment and in-stallations as well as the certification of persons in the following fields:

  • electrical equipment
  • lifts
  • lifting and moving equipment as well as lifting doors
  • pressure equipment
  • automatic fire extinguishing equipment
  • fire alarms
  • measuring instruments
  • precious metal products
  • transport packages and containers for dangerous goods
  • natural gas pipelines, natural gas storages and natural gas filling stations
  • LPG plants
  • oil tanks and other storage tanks for flammable liquids
  • lifting equipment in mines
  • containers.

IBC packages used to transport dangerous goods are inspected by periodic inspection bodies of transport of dangerous goods approved by Tukes. The requirements for approving these actors and the content of the annual report are less strict than for other inspection bodies.

Approval criteria

The general requirements for approving an inspection body are the following:

  • a legal entity registered in Finland
  • competent personnel
  • instruments, equipment and systems required by the operations
  • a recording and maintenance system for inspection certificates
  • operational and financial independence and impartiality
  • third party liability insurance in accordance with the scope of the operations and responsibilities

The inspection body demonstrates the approval and the fulfilment of the requirements with a statement or accreditation from the FINAS accreditation service.

Inspection activities and the principles of good governance

 The following principles of good governance apply to inspection activities:

  • The principle of equality: the customers must be treated fairly and consistently.
  • The principle of being bound to the purpose: the inspections must be based on law, and the discretionary power must not be misused.
  • The principle of objective consideration: the inspections must be carried out impartially.
  • The principle of proportionality: the inspections must be carried out in correct proportion and by taking reasonability into account.
  • The principle of protection of trust: the customers must be able to trust in the permanence of the interpretations in inspection.

Tukes monitors the inspection bodies

The inspection bodies arrange regular field-specific cooperation meetings. Tukes participates in the meetings.

Tukes monitors the activities of the inspection bodies. The inspection bodies send Tukes an annual report on carrying out their inspection duties.