During the webinar “2026 on site: smooth, safe and inspection-ready”, organised together with Conneqtr and Mploy (labour law lawyers), experts took a closer look at the increasingly strict rules around site compliance, document management and chain responsibility in the construction sector.

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The central message was clear: being inspection-ready in 2026 means much more than collecting documents. It requires a structured approach, digital support, and clear responsibilities across the entire chain.

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Below, we’ve summarised the key insights and learnings from the webinar.

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1. The new reality: stricter, end-to-end chain compliance

The construction sector is evolving into a context where compliance is no longer the sole responsibility of the main contractor, but is spread across the entire chain:

• Increasing regulation and inspections
• Strong focus on subcontracting chains
• Flemish duty of care as a key pillar
• Greater shared responsibility between all parties

👉 “Being inspection-ready means being able to demonstrate control over the entire chain.”

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2. Being inspection-ready is about preparation, not reaction

“Inspection-ready” is not a reactive exercise during an audit, but a structured way of working:

• Documents must be in order before work starts

• Everything must be immediately available on site

• Structure and digitalisation are essential

👉 "Shift from reactive to proactive compliance."

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3. Document management is the core of compliance

Everything revolves around correct, complete and timely documentation:

• Social security and employment documents
• A1
• Residence and identity documents
• Safety certificates (such as the basic safety certificate)

👉 "Without proper document management, there is no compliance."

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4. Timing, follow-up and retention are critical

Compliance is highly time-sensitive, and proper follow-up is essential:

• Collect documents before work starts
• Perform daily checks as part of withholding obligations
• Ensure long-term retention of records
• Guarantee fast and immediate availability during inspections

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5. Duty of control: stay vigilant, not an inspector

Contractors are not expected to perform in-depth audits, but they must ensure reasonable oversight:

• Check validity and consistency
• Detect errors or irregularities
• Perform basic completeness checks

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6. GDPR and legal basis for document processing

Document management must comply with privacy regulations, but it is fully permitted:

• Legal obligation as the primary basis
• Legitimate interest (e.g. fraud prevention)
• Transparency and information obligations remain mandatory
• Processing register required

👉 "The distinction between direct and indirect subcontractors determines the legal basis.”

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7. Safety and data management are mandatory

Data on site must be properly protected:

• Secure storage and restricted access
• Protection against data breaches
• Organisational and technical safeguards
• ISO 27001 as a key information security standard

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8. Inspection rules and powers are strictly defined

Inspections are powerful, but legally limited:

• Inspections can be announced or unannounced
• Cascade procedure: voluntary submission first
• “Fishing expeditions” are not allowed
• Only legally required documents may be actively requested

👉 "Digital tools fall under inspection, but the tool itself is not the objective — the documents are, along with their availability and accessibility."

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9. Significant legal and financial risks in case of non-compliance

Non-compliance has direct consequences:

• Criminal fines (up to €20,000 per employee)
• Joint and several liability across the chain
• Social and fiscal withholdings
• Increased risks in case of missing A1 certificates

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10. A1, withholding obligations and foreign workers

International employment requires extra attention:

• The A1 certificate is an essential proof document
• Without an A1, Belgian social security often applies
• Daily checks are mandatory under withholding obligations
• Results are only valid on the day of the inspection

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11. Contracts and follow-up define real compliance

Strong contracts are important, but not sufficient:

• Clauses on illegal employment and minimum wage compliance
• Sanctions and right of refusal included
• Continuous operational follow-up through systems
• No dependency on a single person

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12. Flemish duty of care: nuance is key

The duty of care does not automatically mean liability:

• Not every missing document is a punishable offence
• Liability mainly arises in case of serious violations
• More control comes with more responsibility

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13. Safety, inspection and basic safety

Safety remains a shared responsibility:

• The basic safety certificate is mandatory and verifiable
• Clients and contractors have a duty of supervision
• Non-compliance can lead to liability

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14. The future: real-time and digital site control

The sector is moving towards full digitalisation:

• Real-time check-in/check-out (mandatory by 2027)
• Integration with access control systems
• Automated document exchange
• Less manual administration, more digital workflows

👉 Conneqtr Zen takes care of all of this for you.

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15. Key conclusion

Site compliance in 2026 is about: structure + digital monitoring + chain responsibility + secure data + strong contracts.

👉 “It’s not just about having documents, but above all about how you manage, control, and can demonstrate them.”

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👉 Watch the webinar recording here!

Do you have any questions or want to know how you can benefit from our solution? Feel free to get in touch — we’ll be happy to help you further.

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