VGP - Key periodic general inspections for installations and work equipment

Are your work equipment inspections up to date? Discover which installations are affected, the mandatory inspection frequencies, and the penalties for non-compliance.

Margaux Couble
Consultante HSE
Publication : 
20.10.2026
Table of Contents
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🔎 Key takeaways

  • Many types of equipment and installations are subject to mandatory periodic inspections, including lifting equipment, elevators, electrical installations, PPE, pressure equipment, ventilation systems, and fire safety equipment.
  • The frequency varies depending on the equipment, ranging from a few weeks to several years, according to the applicable regulations.
  • Inspections can be carried out in-house by a competent person or, depending on the case, by an accredited body, with traceability recorded in the safety register.
  • Failure to comply with periodic general inspections exposes the employer to financial penalties, the shutdown of equipment, and increased criminal liability in the event of an accident.

Please note: This article concerns French legislation. The requirements described may not apply in other countries.

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To ensure safe operation, many types of equipment and installations are subject to periodic general inspections. 

Are your periodic general inspections up to date? Here is an overview.

To ensure ongoing compliance, the Labor Code mandates periodic general inspections (VGP) for many installations and work equipment.

1. Main equipment concerned

To ensure proper functioning and safe use, certain work equipment is subject to periodic general inspections. We will focus on the following equipment:

  • Lifting equipment and accessories
  • Elevators and freight elevators
  • Electrical installations
  • Machinery with specific risks
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Doors and gates
  • Pressure equipment
  • Air handling and ventilation systems
  • Fire safety

2. What is the frequency for periodic general inspections (VGP)

Equipment Frequency Regulatory References
Lifting equipment & accessories
6 months: mobile equipment / MEWPs
12 months: fixed equipment and accessories
 French Ministerial Order of 1 March 2004
Lifts & goods lifts
6 weeks: maintenance visit (lifts)
6 months: maintenance visit (lifts)
12 months: operational test and condition inspection (lifts & goods lifts)
5 years: technical inspection of lifts
 French Construction and Housing Code, Articles L. 134-1 et seq., and Articles R. 134-1 et seq.
Electrical installations
12 months (24 months if no non-conformity was found during the last inspection)
 French Labour Code, Articles R. 4226-1 et seq.
Emergency lighting
1 month: operational test (except self-testing units)
6 months: autonomy test of at least 1h
 French Labour Code, Articles R. 4226-7 and R. 4226-13
Machines with specific risks
3 months: presses, compactors
12 months: centrifuges
 French Ministerial Order of 5 March 1993
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
12 months: harnesses, inflatable life jackets, respiratory protective devices for evacuation/hostile environment intervention, filter cartridges
 French Labour Code, Articles R. 4323-99 to 101, R. 4721-12
French Ministerial Order of 19 March 1993
Ladders, step stools, stepladders, mobile podium platforms
Before each shift: visual inspection by the operator
12 months: state of repair and conservation check
 Best practice
Automatic & semi-automatic doors and gates
6 months
 French Ministerial Order of 21 December 1993
Pressure equipment
4 years: periodic inspection
10 years: periodic requalification
 French Ministerial Order of 20 November 2017
Aeration & ventilation
12 months
6 months: if air recycling / recirculation system is in place
 French Labour Code, Article R. 4222-20
French Ministerial Order of 8 October 1987
Fire safety (extinguishers, fire hose reels, alarms)
12 months
 Standard NF S 61-919

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3) Who can perform these inspections

Periodic general inspections can be performed by:

  • qualified and competent personnel within the company, or
  • for certain equipment, mandatorily by an accredited external organization

The results, inspection reports, and inspection dates must be recorded in the facility's safety register.

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4) What are the penalties for failing to comply with the periodic inspection requirement

In the event of a failure to perform the required periodic inspection, the employer is liable for a fine of €10,000 per identified violation (Article L. 4741-1 of the Labor Code). This amount may be multiplied by the number of employees exposed and may be applied again in the event of a subsequent non-compliant inspection.

The labor inspectorate may also order the immediate shutdown of the non-inspected equipment.

In the event of an accident involving non-inspected equipment, severe criminal penalties may be imposed:

  • in case of injury (incapacity exceeding 3 months): up to €30,000 in fines and 2 years of imprisonment
  • in case of death: up to €45,000 in fines and 3 years of imprisonment
  • inexcusable fault of the employer: automatic recognition of inexcusable fault before the Social Security authorities, leading to an increase in the annuities paid to the victim and significant additional compensation payable by the company

Finally, the insurer may refuse to cover damages or even terminate the insurance contract.

📝 Note

Maintaining a paper safety register is no longer required.