The results of user surveys conducted in 2022 are now ready, and can be viewed here: Ptils brukerundersøkelse - hovedrapport 2022 (in Norwegian only)

The feedback is largely positive, and shows that the PSA has a good reputation in the industry. Eight out of ten respondents perceive the PSA to be a strong and transparent supervisory authority.

After four years of user surveys, we now have the opportunity to look at trends in the companies’ responses over time. Overall, the results from both the audit surveys and the general surveys can be characterised as positively stable. 

Concerning audits, the surveys show that the interaction with the companies is perceived to be positive. The companies are also generally satisfied with the information they are given prior to the audit, and report that they benefit from dialogue to clarify any uncertainties before the audit starts.

Some experience the audits as resource-intensive; but few believe this burden to be unreasonably large. The PSA is also favourably assessed in terms of its competence and consistency in regulatory enforcement.

In respect of the instruments we have available, it is not surprising that orders and notifications of orders are what are most likely to result in action by the companies. Where the audit reports include non-conformities, these also generally provoke action by the companies. Various informational and guideline initiatives are also perceived to be useful.

Four years of user surveys

The report presents the results of two user surveys conducted in the period 2021-2023: an audit survey sent to official contacts in the individual companies on completion of each audit, and a general survey sent to both official contacts and chief safety delegates at the end of 2022.

The general survey provides information on the industry participants’ approach to the results of our audits, the actions they take in response, their thoughts on the current regulations, and their assessment of the PSA as a supervisory authority.

The audit survey follows the companies through the individual audits, and the official contacts are asked to assess various elements of the initiation, implementation and conclusion of each audit. In addition, they provide input on perceived benefits of, and the interaction with the PSA in, the audit in question.

In combination, these two surveys provide a great deal of useful information about the role audits play in the industry, and how participants from the company side assess the PSA's contribution.