DNV tightens requirements for recruiters: – The field has changed significantly
A new version of the recruitment personnel certification scheme will be launched in May 2026.
– Recruitment today is completely different from just a few years ago, says Rachel Bøe Nilsen at DNV.
We are interviewing her on the occasion of the upcoming update to DNV's certification scheme for recruitment personnel – a standard that has been a key quality benchmark in the industry since 2011. A new version is now ready.
– The goal has always been the same: to ensure a minimum standard for how recruitment is conducted. But what is actually required to deliver quality has developed significantly, she says.
An industry standard for quality
DNV's certification is a personal certification scheme for recruiters, where candidates must document experience, complete training and pass an exam.
– This is a third-party quality assurance. This means we assess competence independently of the employer or commercial interests, explains Nilsen.
Today, over 500 recruiters are certified in Norway. For businesses considering hiring external assistance from a recruitment agency in Norway, the certification has become an increasingly important mark of quality.
– The certification provides peace of mind that knowledge of basic methodology and ethics is in place, she says.
That's why the standard is now being updated
The last time the standard was revised was in 2018. Since then, technology, regulations, and expectations for recruitment processes have all changed.
– It's about keeping up with developments. Today, recruiters have to deal with artificial intelligence, stricter data protection requirements, and not least, increased focus on fairness and inclusion, says Nilsen.
The new standard has therefore been updated in line with NS-ISO 30405:2023, which provides guidelines for international recruitment.
In addition, new regulatory requirements have been incorporated.
A concrete example is the EU directive on pay transparency. This affects how one communicates around positions and candidates, and sets new demands for openness in the process, she explains.
A broad collaboration behind the update
Work on the new standard has been carried out in close collaboration with key industry players, including HR Norge, BI, the Norwegian Armed Forces – and the recruitment company MeyerHaugen. The standard has also been out for consultation among all currently certified recruiters.
"It has been important for us to get input from professional communities, employers and recruitment agencies alike. The standard needs to be relevant in practice, not just on paper," says Nilsen.
What does this mean for businesses?
For companies considering recruitment assistance, the updated standard can make it easier to set the right requirements.
– It provides a clear framework for what can be expected of a professional recruitment partner, says Nilsen.
She believes the certification can also contribute to better decisions.
– More structured and objective processes simply lead to a higher success rate.
Clear in May 2026
The new version of DNV's certification standard will be launched at the end of May 2026.
– The ambition is for this to lift the entire industry. Not just for recruiters, but for everyone who relies on finding and hiring the right competence, says Nilsen.
Do you have any questions about the updated certification standard? Please feel free to contact Rachel Bøe Nilsen at DNV directly:
E-post: Rachel.Boe.Nilsen@dnv.com
Telephone: +47 47 28 49 11
