Complete reference of laws, standards, and guidelines that every facility manager needs to know. From legionella prevention to fire safety, from BREEAM to ISO 41001.
Drinking water safety, legionella prevention, and water installation standards.
Explore this topic in our knowledge base — Building Management →General requirements for drinking water installations
The foundational Dutch standard for drinking water installations. Covers design, installation, and maintenance requirements to ensure safety and prevent legionella growth. Referenced by the Building Decree (Bouwbesluit).
Mandatory for all drinking water installations in Dutch buildings. The basis for legionella-safe design.
Dutch Drinking Water Decree
Legal basis for legionella prevention in the Netherlands. Defines priority locations (hospitals, hotels, swimming pools) that require a legionella management plan and periodic sampling.
Priority locations must have a legionella risk assessment, management plan, and quarterly sampling. Non-priority locations must comply with NEN 1006.
Legionella prevention guidance for drinking water installations
Practical guidance for legionella risk analysis and management in building drinking water systems. Supplements the Drinking Water Decree with step-by-step procedures.
Essential reference for FM professionals managing legionella risk in buildings with priority installations.
Working Conditions Decree — legionella in workplace installations
Requires employers to prevent legionella exposure in workplace water installations such as air humidification systems, cooling towers, and whirlpools. Sets the limit at <100 CFU/L.
Applies to all non-drinking water systems in workplaces that generate aerosols. FM must ensure compliance with sampling protocols.
Water installation worksheets
Practical worksheets that detail specific installation requirements for drinking water systems. Function as the hands-on interpretation of NEN 1006.
Reference for installers and FM teams verifying compliance of drinking water installations.
German Drinking Water Ordinance
German regulation for drinking water quality. Since 2011, building owners must test for legionella in large installations (>400 litres or >3 litres pipe volume) every three years.
Facility managers of multi-tenant buildings in Germany must ensure triennial legionella testing and documentation.
Hygiene in drinking water installation systems
VDI guideline for hygienic planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of drinking water installations. Covers temperature management, stagnation avoidance, and material selection.
Key reference for German FM professionals maintaining drinking water hygiene in commercial and public buildings.
Technical rules for drinking water installations (TRWI)
Core German standard series for the design, installation, and operation of drinking water systems in buildings. Covers pipe sizing, materials, and system configurations.
Foundation standard for all drinking water installation work in Germany — compliance is typically required by local building codes.
Fire safety regulations, alarm systems, evacuation procedures, and emergency response.
Explore this topic in our knowledge base — Security →Building Decree — fire safety chapters
Chapters 6 and 7 of the Dutch Building Decree define fire safety requirements for buildings: compartmentation, escape routes, fire resistance of structural elements, and installation requirements.
Building owners and FM managers are legally responsible for maintaining compliance with fire safety requirements throughout a building's lifecycle.
Fire alarm systems — system design
Dutch standard for the design and configuration of fire alarm systems. Defines detector types, coverage areas, alarm zoning, and connection to the fire service.
FM managers must ensure fire alarm systems meet NEN 2535 requirements and maintain documentation of system design decisions.
Maintenance of fire alarm and evacuation systems
Part 1 covers maintenance of fire alarm systems, part 2 covers evacuation alarm systems. Defines inspection frequencies, testing procedures, and documentation requirements.
FM is typically responsible for the 'beheerder' (manager) role: daily, monthly, and annual inspection tasks for fire safety systems.
Company Emergency Response (BHV)
Article 15 of the Dutch Working Conditions Act requires every employer to organise company emergency response (BHV). Includes first aid, fire fighting, evacuation, and alerting emergency services.
FM coordinates BHV organisation, training schedules, evacuation drills, and equipment placement. Number of BHV officers must match the RI&E.
Fixed fire extinguishing systems
Standard for the design and maintenance of sprinkler and other fixed fire extinguishing systems in Dutch buildings.
FM must ensure periodic testing and certification of sprinkler systems according to this standard.
Technical Rules for Workplaces — fire protection measures
German workplace fire safety standard defining required fire protection measures: fire extinguishers, escape routes, emergency plans, and fire safety officer appointments.
FM must implement the fire protection concept, maintain equipment, and ensure escape route signage is correct.
Model Building Code — fire safety
The German Model Building Code serves as template for the 16 state building codes (Landesbauordnungen). Defines fundamental fire safety requirements: structural fire resistance, compartmentation, and fire service access.
Each Bundesland has its own Landesbauordnung — FM must know which state-specific fire code applies to their buildings.
Fire protection regulations for buildings
Standard for creating fire protection regulations in three parts: Part A (for all persons), Part B (for persons without special fire protection duties), Part C (for persons with special duties).
FM is responsible for creating and maintaining the building's fire protection regulations, including updates after any building changes.
Occupational health and safety regulations, risk assessment, and worker protection.
Explore this topic in our knowledge base — Workplace →Dutch Working Conditions Act
Framework law for occupational health and safety in the Netherlands. Employers must pursue policies aimed at creating safe and healthy working conditions. Covers general obligations, RI&E requirement, and worker participation.
FM is often the operational implementer of workplace safety measures required by the Arbowet. Close collaboration with the prevention officer is essential.
Risk Assessment & Evaluation
Article 5 of the Arbowet requires every employer to conduct a RI&E: a systematic inventory of all workplace risks, followed by an action plan with priorities and timelines.
FM typically leads or heavily contributes to the RI&E, especially for physical workplace risks (climate, ergonomics, hazardous substances, fire safety).
Safe operation of electrical installations
Standard for safe working with and near electrical installations. Defines competence levels (instructed person, skilled person, authorised person), inspection intervals, and procedures for isolation and testing.
FM must ensure electrical installations are periodically inspected (typically every 1-3 years) and that personnel working on them have the appropriate NEN 3140 qualification.
Maintenance requirements for window cleaning safety
Standard ensuring safe access for window cleaning on buildings. Covers anchor points, davit systems, and gondola requirements.
Building owners must ensure window cleaning can be performed safely. FM must verify anchor points are periodically inspected and certified.
German Occupational Safety and Health Act
Framework act for workplace safety in Germany. Requires employers to assess workplace hazards (Gefährdungsbeurteilung), implement protective measures, and document compliance.
FM implements and maintains the physical safety measures in buildings. Close cooperation with the Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit is required.
German Workplace Ordinance
Ordinance defining minimum requirements for workplaces: room dimensions, lighting, ventilation, temperature, sanitary facilities, break rooms, and first aid rooms.
FM must ensure all workplace areas meet ArbStättV requirements — from temperature monitoring to adequate sanitary provisions.
German Statutory Accident Insurance regulations
Binding accident prevention regulations from the German statutory accident insurance associations. Key rules include DGUV V1 (general principles), DGUV V3 (electrical systems), and DGUV V4 (electrical systems in agriculture).
DGUV V3 requires periodic electrical safety inspections — a direct FM responsibility in most organisations.
Operator responsibility in FM
GEFMA guideline defining the operator's legal responsibilities arising from building and installation operation. Covers delegation of duties, documentation requirements, and liability chains.
Critical for understanding which safety obligations can be delegated to FM providers — and which documentation must prove it.
Condition measurement, inspection standards, maintenance planning, and technical installation testing.
Explore this topic in our knowledge base — Building Management →Condition measurement of buildings and installations
Standard for uniform condition measurement of buildings and installations. Uses a 6-point scale (1 = excellent, 6 = very poor) based on standardised defect descriptions. Enables objective comparison across buildings and portfolio-level planning.
Foundation for multi-year maintenance planning (MJOP). FM uses NEN 2767 inspections to prioritise maintenance budgets across building portfolios.
Floor area measurement of buildings
Standard method for measuring and classifying floor areas in buildings (BVO, VVO, NVO, GO). Essential for accurate space management, rental calculations, and benchmarking.
FM uses NEN 2580 as the basis for space registration, cleaning SLAs (square metres), and cost-per-m² benchmarks.
Certification for maintenance and inspection of heating installations
SCIOS certification scheme for inspection and maintenance of heating installations. Defines 12 scopes from small gas boilers to large industrial installations. Legally required under the Activities Decree.
FM must arrange periodic SCIOS inspections by certified companies. Typically scope 1-4 for office/commercial buildings.
Commodities Act Decree on Lifts
Legal requirement for periodic inspection of lifts in the Netherlands. Lifts must be inspected every 18 months (24 months for some types) by an accredited inspection body.
FM coordinates lift maintenance contracts and ensures inspections are scheduled on time. Non-compliance can result in a usage ban.
Asbestos inventory certification
Certification scheme for asbestos inventory assessments. Required before any demolition or renovation of buildings constructed before 1994. Only SC-540 certified companies may perform these assessments.
FM must commission an asbestos inventory before any renovation work on pre-1994 buildings. The asbestos register should be part of the building dossier.
Maintenance terminology
European standard defining maintenance terms: corrective, preventive, predictive, condition-based maintenance. Provides the shared vocabulary for maintenance contracts and SLAs.
Use NEN-EN 13306 terminology in maintenance contracts and SLAs to prevent misunderstandings between FM and suppliers.
FM — foundations, lifecycle phases
Foundational GEFMA guideline structuring FM services across a building's lifecycle: conception, planning, construction, operation, and disposal. Defines service areas and process models.
Standard reference for structuring FM service catalogues and contracts in the German market.
Cost structures in FM
GEFMA guideline for standardised cost structures in FM. Enables cost transparency, benchmarking, and comparison across organisations and service providers.
Use for benchmarking FM costs and structuring budget reports to enable year-on-year comparison.
Fundamentals of maintenance
Core German standard for maintenance definitions and processes. Breaks maintenance into four sub-areas: servicing (Wartung), inspection (Inspektion), repair (Instandsetzung), and improvement (Verbesserung).
Defines the maintenance vocabulary used in German FM contracts — essential for clear SLA formulation.
Planned maintenance of buildings and technical systems
VDI guideline for systematic maintenance planning of buildings and building services. Covers inspection plans, maintenance intervals, and documentation structures.
Essential reference for creating multi-year maintenance plans (Instandhaltungsstrategien) in Germany.
Energy performance, sustainability certifications, environmental management, and green building standards.
Explore this topic in our knowledge base — Sustainability →Minimum energy label C for offices
Since 1 January 2023, all office buildings in the Netherlands must have a minimum energy label C (energy index ≤ 1.3). Buildings that don't meet this requirement may not be used as offices.
FM and building owners face a usage ban if their office doesn't meet label C. Common measures: LED lighting, HR++ glazing, roof insulation, efficient HVAC.
EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
EU directive requiring energy performance certificates, nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) standards for new construction, and renovation roadmaps for existing building stock.
Drives national implementation: NL's BENG requirements, Germany's GEG. FM must understand how EPBD targets affect renovation planning.
German Building Energy Act
Germany's unified building energy law (since 2020, updated 2024). Merges the former EnEV and EEWärmeG. Requires energy certificates, minimum renewable energy shares for new heating, and efficiency standards.
When replacing heating systems in Germany, FM must ensure 65% renewable energy compliance (from 2024 for new builds, phased for existing buildings).
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
Leading international sustainability certification for buildings. Assesses management, health, energy, transport, water, materials, waste, land use, and pollution. Available in NL (BREEAM-NL) and DE (BREEAM-DE) variants.
BREEAM In-Use certification directly involves FM — operational management scores determine the building's ongoing rating.
WELL Building Standard
Performance-based certification focusing on health and well-being of building occupants. Covers air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, community, and innovation.
FM manages most WELL features operationally: air quality monitoring, water testing, lighting, acoustic comfort, and cleaning protocols.
Environmental management systems
International standard for environmental management systems (EMS). Provides a framework for organisations to protect the environment, respond to changing conditions, and fulfil compliance obligations.
FM organisations pursuing ISO 14001 must track environmental aspects of their operations: waste streams, energy consumption, and chemical usage.
Energy management systems
International standard for systematic energy management. Requires establishing an energy policy, setting targets, monitoring consumption, and continuously improving energy performance.
FM is the operational owner of energy management in most organisations — ISO 50001 provides the management structure for continuous improvement.
EU Energy Efficiency Directive
EU directive requiring large enterprises to conduct energy audits every four years (or implement ISO 50001). Drives national energy-saving obligations and building renovation targets.
FM in large organisations (>250 employees) must support the mandatory energy audit process with consumption data and improvement proposals.
Food hygiene regulations, HACCP principles, and catering compliance.
Explore this topic in our knowledge base — Catering →Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
Systematic food safety approach identifying biological, chemical, and physical hazards in food production and handling. Seven principles covering hazard analysis, CCPs, critical limits, monitoring, corrective actions, verification, and documentation.
Any FM operation involving food preparation (corporate catering, vending, coffee points) must implement HACCP principles.
EU Regulation on the hygiene of foodstuffs
Core EU regulation requiring all food business operators to implement hygiene procedures based on HACCP principles. Covers premises, equipment, food waste, water supply, and personnel hygiene.
Applies directly to all corporate catering operations managed by FM — compliance is checked by the food safety authority (NVWA in NL, Lebensmittelüberwachung in DE).
Commodities Act Decree on Food Hygiene
Dutch implementation of EU hygiene regulations. Adds specific requirements for temperature control, cleaning frequency, and pest control in food handling areas.
FM teams managing in-house catering or kitchen facilities must ensure compliance — NVWA inspections can result in warnings or closure.
German Food Hygiene Regulation
German national regulation implementing EU food hygiene requirements. Specifies personnel hygiene training (Belehrung), temperature logging, and cleaning documentation for food operations.
FM operations with catering in Germany must ensure all food-handling staff have valid Belehrung certificates and maintain HACCP documentation.
International and national standards for structuring, managing, and certifying facility management services.
Explore this topic in our knowledge base — Market →FM management systems — requirements
The world's first international standard specifically for FM management systems. Provides requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an FM system. Applicable to any organisation regardless of sector or sourcing model.
Provides a certifiable management system — increasingly required in public procurement and large corporate FM contracts.
FM vocabulary
International standard defining FM terminology. Provides the shared language for FM professionals, clients, and suppliers worldwide.
Use ISO 41011 definitions in contracts and SLAs to ensure all parties share the same understanding of FM terms.
European FM standard series
Predecessor European standard series for FM. Parts 1-2 were incorporated into ISO 41011/41012. Remaining parts cover quality, taxonomy, space measurement, benchmarking, and FM agreements.
Parts 3-7 remain in use for space measurement (Part 6) and FM benchmarking (Part 7) across Europe.
Laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines for FM in Germany
Comprehensive GEFMA guideline providing an overview of all laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines relevant to FM in Germany. Explains the regulatory system and conformity levels.
The 'meta-guideline' for German FM: understand what rules apply to your buildings and operations.
Quality standards for CAFM software
GEFMA quality standard for Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) software. Defines 18 criteria catalogues — 3 mandatory for certification. Helps FM select and evaluate CAFM tools.
When procuring CAFM software in Germany, check for GEFMA 444 certification as a quality indicator.
Planning and construction-phase FM
GEFMA guideline for integrating FM requirements into the planning and construction phases. Covers 10 topic areas and 77 focus topics to ensure operational efficiency from day one.
Ensures FM has a voice in construction decisions that affect decades of operational costs — from cleaning accessibility to maintenance access routes.
Security regulations, access control standards, surveillance requirements, and private security legislation.
Explore this topic in our knowledge base — Security →Dutch Private Security Organisations and Investigation Agencies Act
Dutch law governing private security organisations. Requires licensing, personnel vetting, and training standards for all security staff deployed in buildings.
FM must verify that contracted security companies hold valid Wpbr licenses and that guards meet training requirements.
GDPR — surveillance camera provisions
GDPR provisions governing camera surveillance in buildings. Requires legitimate interest assessment, data protection impact assessment (DPIA), clear signage, limited retention periods, and access procedures for recorded individuals.
FM deploying security cameras must comply with GDPR: signage, DPIA, maximum 4-week retention, and defined access procedures.
Alarm systems — intrusion and hold-up
European standard for intrusion and hold-up alarm systems. Defines grades 1-4 for increasing security levels, detection requirements, and connection to alarm receiving centres.
FM specifies the required grade based on the risk profile of the building. Grade 2 is typical for offices, grade 3 for high-value assets.
Security services — requirements
German standard defining quality requirements for private security services. Covers personnel qualifications, operational procedures, and quality management for guarding, patrol, and event security.
Use DIN 77200 as a quality baseline when procuring security services in Germany.