Standard NBN D 51-003 – CERGA Accredited Body

Natural gas inspection for installations ≤ 70 kW

Have your natural gas installation inspected by an accredited body. Compliance certificate recognised for meter opening and commissioning.

Book my inspection Free advice: 02 880 21 71
  • Appointment within 48h
  • On-site report
  • Recognised by all DSOs

Houses & apartments
Natural Gas ≤ 70 kW

From
€165 incl. VAT

  • Inspection compliant with NBN D 51-003
  • Official compliance certificate
  • Detailed report issued on site
  • Valid for meter opening

What is a natural gas inspection?

The natural gas inspection is a mandatory check of your indoor gas installation. It ensures that your pipework, connections and gas appliances comply with Belgian safety standards.

This inspection is carried out according to the standard NBN D 51-003, which governs indoor installations supplied with natural gas. For central heating boilers under 70 kW, the technical document NBN/DTD B 61-002:2021 specifies the requirements concerning air supply and flue gas evacuation.

This inspection concerns you if:
• You are connected to the natural gas grid
• The total power of your appliances is ≤ 70 kW
• You live in a house, apartment or small building

Individual houses
Boiler, water heater, gas cooker

Apartments
Individual installation in multi-unit building

New installation
Before first commissioning

Meter opening
Certificate required by the DSO

When is the natural gas inspection mandatory?

Belgian regulations require a compliance inspection in several situations. Here are the most common cases where you need to call an accredited body.

New installation

Every new natural gas connection must be inspected before commissioning. The compliance certificate is essential for the Distribution System Operator to open the meter.

Meter opening

When moving into a property where the gas meter has been closed, you must present a valid compliance certificate to obtain reconnection.

Major modification

Any significant change to the installation (adding an appliance, modifying pipework, replacing a boiler) requires a new compliance inspection.

At the request of the DSO

The Distribution System Operator (Ores, Sibelga, Fluvius, Resa) may require an inspection if there is doubt about the installation’s compliance or during a meter reading.

Good to know

Without a valid gas compliance certificate, your Distribution System Operator (DSO) will not be able to open your meter. Schedule your inspection in advance to avoid any delay in your move-in or commissioning.

What does the inspector check during the inspection?

Our accredited inspector carries out a methodical check of your entire installation, in accordance with current Belgian standards.

  • Pipework tightness

    Pressure test on all pipework to detect any gas leak, however small.

  • Connections and fixings

    Inspection of all couplings, seals and fixings according to best practice.

  • Gas appliances

    Inspection of the general condition, correct operation and connection of each appliance.

  • Ventilation and air supply

    Checking of ventilation openings in accordance with standard NBN/DTD B 61-002.

  • Flue gas evacuation

    Inspection of combustion product discharge ducts and correct draught.

  • Overall compliance

    Assessment of the entire installation according to standard NBN D 51-003.

Reference standards for natural gas inspection ≤ 70 kW

NBN D 51-003:2010+A2:2021
Main standard for indoor installations supplied with natural gas. It applies to pipework downstream of the meter (pressure ≤ 100 mbar, diameter ≤ DN 50) and to all natural gas appliances.

NBN/DTD B 61-002:2021
Technical document for central heating boilers < 70 kW. Defines requirements for the installation space, combustion air supply and evacuation of combustion products.

How does the inspection work?

A simple and transparent process, from booking to obtaining your certificate.

01

Book online or by phone

Choose your slot from our availability. Appointment possible within 48h throughout Belgium.

02

Prepare for the visit

Ensure the gas meter is accessible and that appliances can be switched on for the test.

03

On-site inspection (30-60 min)

The inspector checks tightness, connections, ventilation and flue gas evacuation.

04

Report issued

You immediately receive your compliance certificate or details of points to correct.

Compliant installation

You receive your official compliance certificate. This document is recognised by all Distribution System Operators and allows you to obtain meter opening.

✓ Certificate issued immediately
✓ Official document recognised by DSOs
✓ Usable for meter opening

Non-compliance points

The inspector clearly explains the corrections to be made. After work by a qualified installer, we return for a re-inspection.

→ Detailed report of faults
→ Advice for bringing into compliance
→ Re-inspection at reduced rate

Digital & instant meter opening

Elgacert: the 100% digital gas certificate

Since 2024, only digital documents via the Elgacert platform (Electronic Gas Certificates) are accepted by Distribution System Operators (DSOs) for opening the natural gas meter. No more paper certificates!

What is Elgacert?

Elgacert is the digital platform launched by Gas.be in collaboration with the 4 Belgian DSOs (Ores, Sibelga, Fluvius, Resa). It allows compliance certificates to be created, archived and automatically transmitted securely.

  • Certificate verifiable via unique QR code
  • Electronic signature via itsme®
  • Automatic transmission to the DSO
  • Secure digital archiving

Certinergie × Elgacert: instant opening

Our tools are directly connected to the Elgacert platform. This means that if your installation is compliant and everything is properly prepared in advance:

⚡ Your gas meter opening can be triggered instantly after our inspection

No more waiting days to receive a paper certificate and then forward it to the DSO. The inspection report is generated and transmitted digitally in real time.

How does the Elgacert process work?

The installer creates the certificate

Your CERGA-accredited installer creates the compliance certificate on Elgacert and signs it via itsme®.

Certinergie carries out the inspection

Our inspector checks the installation and validates the inspection report directly on Elgacert.

Automatic transmission to the DSO

The certificate and report are automatically sent to the Distribution System Operator (Ores, Sibelga, Fluvius, Resa).

Meter opening

The DSO receives the documents instantly and can proceed with opening your gas meter.

What you need to prepare for a fast opening

For meter opening to be instant after our inspection, ensure these items are in order before our visit:

Gas EAN code
The EAN code (18 digits) of your gas meter, shown on your bill or energy contract.

Installer’s certificate
The accredited installer (CERGA) must have created their compliance certificate on Elgacert BEFORE our visit.

Access to meter and appliances
The gas meter must be accessible and all gas appliances must be able to be switched on for the test.
Certinergie tip: Contact your installer to make sure they have created the compliance certificate on Elgacert before our inspection visit. This is the #1 condition for a delay-free meter opening.

Natural gas inspection prices

Transparent and competitive prices for your gas compliance inspection.

Subsidies & Insurance

Fire brigade, insurance, subsidies

€165 incl. VAT
Per meter

  • Full NBN D 51-003 inspection
  • Compliance certificate
  • Brussels, Wallonia, Flanders
METER OPENING
Installation acceptance

New installation or CERGA

€170 incl. VAT
Per meter

  • Meter opening
  • CERGA certificate
  • New installation
Additional meter

Same address

€135 incl. VAT

  • Reduced rate
  • During the same visit
  • Certificate per meter
Isometric plan

Optional on request

+€40 incl. VAT

  • Gas network diagram
  • Drawn on site
  • Required by suppliers

Add when booking

* All prices shown include VAT (21%). Valid for Brussels, Wallonia and Flanders.

Why choose Certinergie?

A trusted inspection body, recognised for its expertise and responsiveness.

CERGA accredited body

Certinergie is officially accredited to carry out natural gas inspections according to standard NBN D 51-003.

Certified inspectors

Our inspectors are specifically trained and qualified for gas installation inspections.

Certificate recognised by all DSOs

Ores, Sibelga, Fluvius, Resa… Our certificate is accepted by all Distribution System Operators.

Appointment within 48h

Need an urgent inspection for meter opening? We respond quickly.

Throughout Belgium

Wallonia, Brussels, Flanders: we cover the whole of Belgium.

Personalised support I

n case of non-compliance, we guide you until you obtain your compliance certificate.

50 000+
Inspections/year

15+
Years of experience

48h
Average appointment time

4.8/5
Customer satisfaction

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about natural gas inspection.

The total power of your installation is the sum of the nominal powers of all your gas appliances (boiler, water heater, cooker…). For a standard house or apartment, this is generally below 70 kW. Your boiler’s power is shown on its rating plate. If in doubt, our advisors can help you.

The compliance certificate has no fixed expiry date for domestic installations. It remains valid as long as the installation is not significantly modified. A new inspection is mandatory for major changes, appliance replacement or at the request of the DSO.

Ensure the gas meter is accessible and that all gas appliances can be switched on. Have the technical documents for your appliances ready if possible (manuals, compliance certificates). Clear access to pipework, the boiler and ventilation grilles.

Unlike the electrical inspection, there is no legal gas compliance obligation for property sales. However, the new owner will need a compliance certificate to open the gas meter. It is therefore advisable to bring the installation into compliance before the sale.

The inspector provides a report detailing the faults found and the corrections to be made. Have the work carried out by a qualified installer, then we return for a re-inspection at a reduced rate (€75). Once the corrections are validated, you receive your compliance certificate.

Yes, these are two different things. The gas inspection checks the installation’s compliance with safety standards (tightness, ventilation, evacuation). Boiler maintenance is a periodic check of the appliance’s operation and efficiency. The two are complementary but meet different obligations.

Need a gas compliance certificate?

Book your inspection online and receive your certificate immediately after the inspection.

€165Standard inspection
48hAverage appointment time
30-60 minInspection duration
ImmédiatOn-site report
Book my gas inspection 02 880 21 71
  • CERGA accredited body
  • Certificate recognised by DSOs
  • Throughout Belgium

WhatsApp •  contact@certinergie.be  •  Mon-Fri 8:30am-17pm

© Certinergie NPO – VZW rue Haute Voie 5 4537 Verlaine / Chaussée de Tirlemont 156, 5030 Gembloux / Brusselsesteenweg 599,3090 Overijse / Avenue Louise 367 1050 Bruxelles RPM ASBL 0536.501.654. RPM SRL 0831.937.722. Certinergie Luxembourg SARL