Get RSZ-compliant attendance registration on every Belgian construction site, straight from your smartphone.
Every worker entering a Belgian construction site must be registered through Check in at Work (CIAW), and failing to do so can cost your company up to €6,000 per worker per day in criminal fines. The fastest, most reliable way to handle this obligation is through a dedicated CIAW mobile application. Suivo’s Check in at Work app, available free for iOS and Android, lets workers scan a QR code or use GPS verification to register their presence in seconds. No paperwork, no delays, no compliance gaps. Whether you are a site manager coordinating dozens of subcontractors or a solo tradesperson moving between projects, this guide covers everything you need to know about downloading and using the CIAW app.
Quick Navigation
- What Is the Check in at Work App?
- Who Needs the CIAW App?
- How to Download and Install the App
- CIAW App Features at a Glance
- Step-by-Step: Your First Check-In
- CIAW Compliance: Thresholds and Fines
- Managing CIAW Registration with Technology
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Check in at Work App?
The Check in at Work (CIAW) system is Belgium’s mandatory electronic attendance registration for construction sites, cleaning operations, and the meat-processing sector. Enforced by the NSSO (RSZ), it requires every worker to be digitally registered before starting work on-site. The system was introduced to combat social fraud and ensure that all workers, including those from subcontractors and foreign posted workers, are properly declared.
A CIAW app transforms your smartphone into a compliant registration terminal. Instead of relying on a fixed site pole (werfpaal) or manual paper forms, workers simply open the app, scan a site-specific QR code, and confirm their GPS location. The registration is transmitted instantly to the NSSO database, creating an auditable digital trail. For a comprehensive overview of common questions, visit the CIAW FAQ.
Why a Mobile App Beats Traditional Methods
Fixed site poles require hardware installation, power supply, and maintenance. They create bottlenecks at site entrances during shift changes. A mobile app eliminates these constraints entirely, workers register from anywhere on-site, even in areas without fixed infrastructure. For companies managing multiple job sites, this flexibility translates directly into time and cost savings.
Who Needs the CIAW App?
CIAW registration is mandatory across several sectors in Belgium, each with specific thresholds:
Construction Sector
- No subcontractor involved: mandatory when total project value exceeds €500,000
- One subcontractor involved: mandatory when the subcontractor’s share exceeds €5,000
- Two or more subcontractors: mandatory for all projects, regardless of value
- Official thresholds: RSZ employer guidance
Cleaning Sector
- Mandatory for all contracts exceeding €30,000
- Since 2025, the cleaning sector must also comply with CIAO (Check in AND Out), requiring both entry and exit time registration
Meat-Processing Sector
- Mandatory for all contracts exceeding €5,000
If you work in construction, cleaning, or meat processing in Belgium, chances are you or your workers need the CIAW app installed and ready.
How to Download and Install the App
Getting started with Suivo’s CIAW app takes under five minutes:
- Open your app store: Search for “Suivo” or “Check in at Work” on the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Download the app: It is free. No subscription required for basic CIAW registration.
- Create your account: Enter your company details and link your NSSO employer number.
- Configure your sites: Add your construction sites or work locations with their unique identifiers.
- Invite your workers: Send invitations via the app so employees and subcontractor staff can register on your sites.
| ⚠️ Important: Main contractors bear chain liability for their subcontractors’ registrations. If a subcontractor’s workers fail to check in, the main contractor faces the fines. Ensure every subcontractor on your project has the app installed and knows how to use it. |
CIAW App Features at a Glance
| Feature | Suivo CIAW App | Traditional Site Pole | Paper Registration |
| QR code scanning | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| GPS verification | ✅ Yes | ❌ Fixed location only | ❌ No |
| Real-time RSZ transmission | ✅ Instant | ✅ Yes | ❌ Manual submission |
| Offline mode | ✅ Sync when connected | ❌ Requires connection | N/A |
| Multi-site support | ✅ Unlimited sites | ❌ One pole per site | ❌ Per-site paperwork |
| Subcontractor management | ✅ Built-in | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Cost per site | ✅ Low (app-based) | ❌ High (hardware) | ❌ Medium (admin) |
| Proof of compliance | ✅ Digital audit trail | ✅ Digital log | ❌ Paper records |
Note: Offline mode allows on-site registration even without internet. Data syncs automatically once connectivity is restored.
Step-by-Step: Your First Check-In
Once the app is installed, performing your first check-in is straightforward:
- Open the Suivo app on your smartphone.
- Select your work site from the list of configured locations, or scan the site’s QR code posted at the entrance.
- Confirm your GPS location. The app verifies you are physically present at the registered site coordinates.
- Tap “Check In.” Your registration is transmitted to the RSZ system in real time.
- Receive confirmation. A green checkmark confirms your registration is complete and compliant.
For sites that also require Check in AND Out (CIAO) registration, currently mandatory in the cleaning sector, repeat the process when leaving the site by tapping “Check Out.”
CIAW Compliance: Thresholds and Fines
Non-compliance with CIAW carries serious financial consequences under Belgian law:
- Administrative fines: Starting at €300 per infringement
- Criminal fines: Up to €6,000 per unregistered worker per day
- Chain liability: Main contractors are financially responsible for subcontractors’ registration failures
- RSZ inspections: The NSSO conducts unannounced site inspections and cross-references registrations with Limosa declarations for foreign workers
| ⚠️ Regulatory update: From January 2027, Belgium will implement mandatory time registration for all employers, transposing the EU Court of Justice CCOO ruling. Companies already using a CIAW app will have a significant head start in meeting this broader obligation. |
Planning ahead means fewer disruptions. Companies in the concrete sector and transport industry are already integrating CIAW registration with broader workforce and fleet management platforms to prepare.
Managing CIAW Registration with Technology
Digital compliance is no longer optional, it is the baseline expectation for Belgian construction and industrial operations. The question is not whether to go digital, but which platform gives you the most complete coverage with the least friction.
- Suivo, a Belgian IoT and workforce management company with over 15 years of experience, offers comprehensive Check in at Work solutions for companies navigating CIAW compliance challenges. Their platform helps you:
- Register workers instantly via QR code or GPS through the free mobile app
- Manage chain liability by tracking subcontractor registrations across all your construction sites
- Stay compliant with both CIAW and CIAO requirements from a single platform
- Prepare for the 2027 mandatory time tracking obligation with integrated time registration
- Generate audit-ready compliance reports for RSZ inspections
- Integrate seamlessly with Belgian payroll providers (SD Worx, Partena, Acerta) and ERP systems
- Scale from a single site to hundreds of locations with the same products and pricing model
- Access local support in Dutch, French, and English
Suivo’s IoT platform integrates seamlessly with existing payroll and ERP systems, helping companies like Hoogmartens and B&R Bouwgroep maintain full CIAW compliance across dozens of active construction sites.
“Since switching to the Suivo CIAW app, we have cut our morning registration time by 70% and haven’t had a single compliance issue during RSZ inspections.”
– Site Coordinator, mid-size construction firm in Antwerp province
Take Action Today
Don’t let CIAW non-compliance put your construction projects at risk. Start by downloading the Suivo Check in at Work app on your workers’ smartphones, configure your active sites, and ensure every subcontractor on your projects is registered and ready. A five-minute setup today can save you thousands in fines tomorrow.
For more information about CIAW compliance and mobile registration, contact Suivo at +32 3 375 70 30 or visit their Check in at Work solution page to discover how their smart solutions can help your construction business navigate attendance registration efficiently. You can also request a free demo to see the app in action.
Free CIAW Compliance Checklist
Want to navigate Check in at Work obligations with more confidence? Our CIAW Compliance Checklist gives you a simple, practical overview to plan smarter, stay compliant, and keep full real-time insight across your operations.
Inside, you’ll find:
- The biggest compliance risks in CIAW registration today
- How Suivo helps automate check-ins, manage chain liability, and generate audit reports
- Real-life success stories from Hoogmartens, Cegelec, and B&R Bouwgroep
- Practical solutions for workforce, fleet, and asset management
Download the free CIAW Compliance Checklist →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Check in at Work app free to download?
Yes, Suivo’s CIAW app is free to download on both iOS and Android. The app itself carries no per-download cost for workers. Companies may choose a platform subscription for advanced features such as multi-site management and payroll integration. Visit the pricing page for details on available plans.
Can I use the CIAW app offline on a construction site?
Yes. The Suivo app supports offline registration, which is essential for remote construction sites with limited connectivity. Your check-in is recorded locally on the device and automatically synced to the RSZ system once an internet connection is restored. Learn more about offline capabilities in our CIAW FAQ.
Does the app work for subcontractors too?
Absolutely. Main contractors can invite subcontractor teams through the app, and each subcontractor’s registrations are tracked separately for chain liability purposes. This is critical because under Belgian law, the main contractor is responsible for ensuring all workers on-site are registered. Suivo’s Check in at Work platform makes managing multiple subcontractor layers straightforward.
What happens if a worker forgets to check in?
An unregistered worker on-site is a compliance violation that can trigger fines from €300 (administrative) up to €6,000 per worker per day (criminal). The Suivo app sends reminders and allows site managers to monitor who has and hasn’t checked in via a real-time dashboard. For sites requiring entry and exit tracking, the CIAO solution provides additional oversight.
How does the CIAW app help prepare for the 2027 time registration mandate?
The 2027 Belgian time registration mandate will require all employers to record daily working hours. Companies already using the CIAW app have the digital infrastructure in place, the same platform can be extended with Suivo’s time tracking solution to capture start/end times, break durations, and project-level hour allocation, giving you a seamless path to full compliance.
