It will soon be harder to commit fraud in the construction industry. In early 2026, new security requirements will be introduced for ordering ID06 cards—an important step in the fight against workplace crime and unfair competition. Mats Åkerlind, deputy CEO of Byggföretagen, views the changes with confidence.
“We should only have healthy competition among ethical companies,” he says firmly.
The background to the change
Starting in the first quarter of 2026, anyone approving an ID06 card order must identify themselves with a passport or national ID card that is recognized as a valid travel document within the EU.
The background? Today, an ID06 card contains verified identity information, but not always information about citizenship—a factor that affects the card’s validity period.
“Citizenship is the determining factor in which rules apply. The validity period of ID06 cards varies depending on the individual’s citizenship. Swedish citizens, for example, can receive an ID06 card that is valid for up to five years. With the new requirements for ordering cards, it will be easier to verify a person’s citizenship,” says Mats Åkerlind.
The Role of Construction Companies – From Initiative to Influence
Construction companies are the majority owners of ID06 AB, but the decision-making process itself is independent. However, the organization is deeply involved.
“We don’t have direct control over the decisions, but we can influence them through our work on the board, through dialogue in various councils, and through joint advocacy efforts with government agencies,” says Åkerlind.
In addition, the Construction Companies Association has helped commission certain services related to collective bargaining agreements, with a particular focus on identification and terms of employment.
Greater control—but also greater responsibility
For construction companies, this change means more than just technical updates—it’s about creating a safer workplace.
“The requirements for passports and national ID cards will make things more difficult for those who are not authorized to work in Sweden. At the same time, we are making it easier to identify workplaces with deficiencies and to carry out targeted inspections. We also have inspection systems that both we, as an employers’ organization, and the labor unions can prioritize and streamline with the support of ID06,” says Åkerlind.
"This is a major change that affects the entire construction industry," he notes. All companies and individuals who use employee logs are affected.
“It’s important that both companies and employees understand the purpose of the change. Even though it may seem complicated at first, this is being implemented to protect companies that follow the rules. In this way, we’re also safeguarding the jobs of the employees at those very companies,” Åkerlind continues.
The Path to Fair Competition
Unfair competition, illegal employment, and wage dumping remain major problems in the construction industry. But with ID06 as a tool, inspections and compliance can become both simpler and more effective. Åkerlind hopes this will lead to stricter inspections and better compliance with the rules.
“A company with active ID06 cards and a good log index can be seen as a mark of quality. We’ll be able to direct our resources where they’re really needed,” he says.
How the Construction Industry Association Combats Workplace Crime
The industry’s efforts to combat fraud and irregularities have been ongoing for a long time—and have intensified in recent years.
“We’ve accomplished a great deal,” says Åkerlind. “We created ID06, we’ve implemented the reverse VAT system, and most recently, through our collective bargaining agreements, we’ve introduced a requirement that employees must verify their identity and nationality with a passport or national ID card when ordering ID06 cards.”
In collaboration with Byggnads, methods for in-depth inspections have also been developed; these were streamlined and clarified in 2025 to ensure they truly make a difference. This includes workplace inspections and the development of new indicators and investigative methods—all aimed at making it easier to identify workplaces with a higher risk of irregularities.
“We have also strengthened collective bargaining agreements,” says Åkerlind, “including by increasing the main contractor’s responsibility. This involves taking responsibility during the procurement process, for unpaid wages, and ensuring that contractors make themselves known—so that the union has a reasonable chance to carry out its inspections effectively.”
And this work isn’t just theoretical. Through its members, the organization ensures that inspections are actually carried out—on the job sites, by union representatives.
In addition, “Sunda byggen” will be launched shortly—a new guide that outlines concrete steps construction sites can take to reduce fraud and crime.
Supporting members – before and during the transition
So how does the Swedish Construction Federation prepare its members?
“We provide information, we encourage dialogue, and we explain why this change is important. The entire industry needs to work together on this,” says Åkerlind.
Optimism about the future – and a clear goal
Expectations are high—but not unrealistic.
“I believe this is a crucial step toward a better, more equitable construction industry. We’ll have a better grasp of who is doing the right thing—and who isn’t. This will strengthen the industry’s reputation and appeal, especially among young people,” says Åkerlind.
And when asked to sum up his expectations for the new rules in a single sentence, he doesn’t hesitate:
“We need to be absolutely certain that there are no unauthorized individuals on our worksites and that wages and working conditions comply with our regulations. We should only have healthy competition among ethical companies,” concludes Åkerlind.
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