Country profile NOR
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 1998 | C138 & C182 | Regulations concerning Organisation, Management and Employee Participation - Section 12-5,12‑6 and 12-7 | [{"link_name":"Regulations concerning Organisation, Management and Employee Participation","source_link":"https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/en/laws-and-regulations/regulations/regulations-concerning-organisation-management-and-employee-participation/?utm_source=chatgpt.com"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | The Norwegian executive regulations enacted under the Working Environment Act provide a specific list of hazardous activities prohibited for under‑18s. Section 12‑6 explicitly bans tasks such as exposure to ionising radiation, dangerous chemicals, hyperbaric atmospheres, biological agents (risk groups 3–4), heavy machinery, and manual handling of heavy loads. Section 12‑5 defines broader limitations, forbidding work beyond minors’ physical or mental capacities and involving toxic, carcinogenic, radiological, or accident risks. Section 12‑7 allows exceptions solely within vocational training programmes, ensuring protective measures and supervision. These regulations were developed with input from social partners and are subject to periodic review. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 1998 | C138 & C182 | Regulations concerning Organisation, Management and Employee Participation - Section 12‑5, Section 12‑6, Section 12‑7 | [{"link_name":"Regulations concerning Organisation, Management and Employee Participation","source_link":"https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/en/laws-and-regulations/regulations/regulations-concerning-organisation-management-and-employee-participation/?utm_source=chatgpt.com"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | The Norwegian executive regulations enacted under the Working Environment Act provide a specific list of hazardous activities prohibited for under‑18s. Section 12‑6 explicitly bans tasks such as exposure to ionising radiation, dangerous chemicals, hyperbaric atmospheres, biological agents (risk groups 3–4), heavy machinery, and manual handling of heavy loads. Section 12‑5 defines broader limitations, forbidding work beyond minors’ physical or mental capacities and involving toxic, carcinogenic, radiological, or accident risks. Section 12‑7 allows exceptions solely within vocational training programmes, ensuring protective measures and supervision. These regulations were developed with input from social partners and are subject to periodic review. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2005 | C138 & C182 | Working Environment Act - Sections 11‑1 to 11‑5 | [{"link_name":"Working Environment Act","source_link":"https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2005-06-17-62/*#*"}] | 16 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | The Working Environment Act explicitly prohibits hazardous work for individuals under 18. Sections 11‑1 to 11‑5 regulate child and youth labour, defining hazardous activities such as exposure to toxic substances, dangerous machinery, and heavy lifting. Adolescents aged 16–17 may undertake certain hazardous tasks only as part of supervised vocational training or apprenticeship programmes, provided they receive proper safety instruction and monitoring. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2005 | C182 | Penal Code - Sections 15 and 231 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code","source_link":"https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2005-05-20-28/*#*"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | According to Section 15 of Norway’s Penal Code, a penal provision also applies to anyone who contributes to the violation, unless otherwise provided. Anyone who uses, procures or offers children for illicit activities may be convicted for contributing to the offence. A person who uses, procures or offers a child for the production and trafficking of drugs may be convicted for contributing to violation of Section 231 regarding narcotic drugs offences or Section 231 regarding aggravated narcotic drugs offences. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2005 | C182 | Penal Code - Sections 203, 311 and315 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code","source_link":"https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2005-05-20-28/*#*"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Section 203 of Norway’s Penal Code criminalises the purchase of sexual services from minors. It among others covers the act of obtaining for themselves or another person sexual activity or sexual act with a person under 18 years of age by providing or agreeing on payment. Ignorance of the correct age of the child does not lead to an exemption from penalty if the indicted person may be held to blame for his or her ignorance. Section 315 criminalises human trafficking, including the conduct of forcing, exploiting or deceiving a child into prostitution. Section 311 criminalises different dealings with child pornography, including the production of a depiction of sexual abuse of children or a depiction which sexualizes children and the conduct of inducing a person under 18 years of age to allow themselves to be depicted as part of commercial production of moving or still pictures with sexual content, pornographic performances. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 2005 | C182 | Penal Code - Section 103 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code","source_link":"https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2005-05-20-28/*#*"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | Section 103 first paragraph letter f of Norway’s Penal Code explicitly criminalises the conscription or recruitment of children under 18 years of age into armed forces and their active use in hostilities as a war crime. The provision applies both in international and non-international armed conflicts. This prohibition aligns fully with C182’s requirement to eliminate the worst forms of child labour in the context of armed conflict. Penalties range up to 30 years’ imprisonment in aggravated cases. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2005 | C182 | Penal Code - Sections 257 and 258 | [{"link_name":"Penal Code","source_link":"https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2005-05-20-28/*#*"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Section 257 of Norway’s Penal Code criminalises human trafficking, including the conduct of forcing, exploiting or deceiving a child into performing sexual services or labour. When the victim is under 18 years of age, the provision applies irrespective of consent. In determining whether a violation of Section 257 is aggravated, particular weight shall be given to whether the victim was under 18 years of age, cf. Section 258. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2023 | C138 | Education Act 2023 - Sections 5-1 and 7-4 | [{"link_name":"Education Act 2023","source_link":"https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2023-06-09-30"}] | 15 | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | The 2023 Education Act of Norway establishes that upper secondary education, including vocational training and apprenticeships, begins after the completion of compulsory schooling—typically at age 15 (§ 5‑1). Apprenticeships are governed under Chapter 7 of the Act. Section § 7‑4 states that apprentices are considered workers and are covered under relevant labour protections. Thus, the minimum age for admission to apprenticeship is effectively set at 15, in compliance with C138. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 2005 | C138 | Working Environment Act | [{"link_name":"Working Environment Act","source_link":"https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2005-06-17-62/*#*"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | In Norway, compulsory education ends at the age of 15 or upon completion of lower secondary school (10th grade). The Working Environment Act sets the minimum age for admission to work at 15, ensuring alignment with the end of compulsory schooling. This satisfies the requirement of C138 that the minimum age for employment must not be lower than the age at which compulsory schooling ends. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 2018 | C138 | Regulations on the Work of Children and Youth, under the Working Environment Act | [{"link_name":"Regulations on the Work of Children and Youth, under the Working Environment Act","source_link":"https://www.stortinget.no/no/Saker-og-publikasjoner/Publikasjoner/Innstillinger/Odelstinget/1997-1998/Inno-199798-027/3/#:~:text=I%20overensstemmelse%20med%20direktivet%20foresl%C3%A5s,og%2035%20timer%20i%20uken."}] | Yes | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | Norway has adopted detailed regulations specifying what constitutes light work for children aged 13 and 14. The 2018 Regulations on the Work of Children and Youth define permissible tasks (e.g. newspaper delivery, office work, shop assistance), set limits on working hours (e.g. no more than 2 hours on school days), and outline safety and supervision requirements. These regulations are binding and align with the requirements of Convention C138. |
| Minimum age for light work | 2005 | C138 | Working Environment Act - Section 11-1 | [{"link_name":"Working Environment Act","source_link":"https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2005-06-17-62/*#*"}] | 13 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | Norway permits children aged 13 and above to perform light work, in accordance with Section 11-1 of the Working Environment Act. This provision explicitly allows children from age 13 to engage in non-hazardous work that does not interfere with their education or development. The Act is supplemented by detailed regulations defining the nature and limits of such light work. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2005 | C138 | Working Environment Act | [{"link_name":"Working Environment Act","source_link":"https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLE/lov/2005-06-17-62"}] | 15 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | In Norway, the Working Environment Act establishes 15 years as the general minimum age for employment. Children under 15 or still in compulsory education may only engage in light work that does not endanger their safety, health, development, or interfere with schooling. Certain conditions and restrictions apply to working hours, tasks, and supervision for young workers. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 21-DEC-2000 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 08-JUL-1980 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A national strategy to strengthen efforts against human trafficking. It comprises 18 measures implemented by five ministries, focusing on prevention, victim assistance, prosecution, coordination, and development of a national rapporteur mechanism. Special emphasis is placed on protecting children from trafficking. | [{"link_name":"New strategy against human trafficking","source_link":"https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/ny-strategi-mot-menneskehandel/id3103572/"}] | 2025-2030 | New strategy against human trafficking | Ministry of Justice and Public Security |
| A national escalation plan aiming to prevent and address violence and sexual abuse of children and domestic violence. It includes early-intervention measures, increased professional competence across sectors (police, health, schools), public awareness campaigns, and strengthened inter-sector coordination—covering both in-person and internet-related abuse. | [{"link_name":"Escalation plan against violence and abuse against children and violence in close relationships","source_link":"https://www.regjeringen.no/no/dokumenter/prop.-36-s-20232024/id3018905/"}] | 2024–2028 | Escalation plan against violence and abuse against children and violence in close relationships | Ministry of Justice and Public Security, |