The new lift ITC, explained for people outside the industry
The new ITC (Spain's lift safety regulation) changes what your lift has to comply with and, along the way, what your maintenance contract should include. Here we explain it clearly. And if you like, we'll tell you in two minutes whether your lift is up to date.
What is the ITC and why does it affect you now?
ITC AEM 1 ‘Lifts’ is the technical instruction that sets the safety, maintenance and inspection requirements for lifts. The current version was approved by Royal Decree 355/2024 of 2 April, and has been in force since 1 July 2024.
As well as regulating new lifts, it requires existing lifts to be brought up to date. If your lift is a few years old, it’s very likely to be missing some of the safety measures the regulation now requires. And because it’s about safety, it isn’t optional.
What changes in practice
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Greater safety in existing lifts
The regulation requires measures to be added to lifts already in service: accurate levelling with each floor, protection on the lift car doors, two-way communication to call for help from inside the lift car, and other improvements (Annex VII).
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Staggered deadlines
There's no single deadline: each measure has its own, and many are triggered by the periodic inspection that detects the shortcoming. Some depend on the age of the lift.
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Periodic inspections
Every 2 years for industrial use or premises open to the public; every 4 years in buildings with more than 20 homes or more than 4 floors; every 6 years for the rest.
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If it doesn't comply
Defects must be put right within the deadline. If the inspection lapses or there's a serious defect, the lift may be taken out of service until it's corrected. The owner of the installation is responsible.
[Reference: Royal Decree 355/2024 (ITC AEM 1 ‘Lifts’). Every lift is different; at the inspection we'll tell you what yours is missing.]
Download the guide to the new ITC
We'll email it to you, in plain language: what changes, what the deadlines are and what to ask your lift maintenance company.
So how does it affect you?
If you're a property manager →
You need to review your whole portfolio. We'll audit it for you, building by building.
If you're a community president or resident →
A good time to check what your contract covers.
If there's a lift at your business →
Inspections and paperwork are your legal responsibility.
The ITC affects your contract too
It isn’t just the lift: the new ITC changes what a good maintenance contract should cover. If yours predates it, it may have fallen short without you realising. We’ll review it free of charge and tell you if anything is missing.
We already go beyond what the ITC requires
Our CPSI safety programme includes two safety inspections a year and a thorough review every five years, with real tests on the systems that can genuinely cause harm. We don’t wait for the regulations to make us: this is already how we work.
Frequently asked questions about the new ITC
Does my lift comply with the new ITC?
It depends on its age and on what has been updated over the years. The quickest way to find out is our self-check or an inspection. We’ll tell you exactly what it’s missing.
When does it come into force?
The current ITC AEM 1 was approved by Royal Decree 355/2024 of 2 April, and has been in force since 1 July 2024.
How long do I have to bring my lift into line?
It depends on the measure. The regulation sets staggered deadlines and, in many cases, they run from the periodic inspection that detects something is missing. At the inspection we’ll tell you what applies to yours.
Is it compulsory or just a recommendation?
It’s compulsory: these are safety measures the regulation requires for existing lifts.
Do I have to replace the whole lift?
Hardly ever. It’s brought into line in stages. We’ll tell you what yours needs.
Who pays for this in a community of owners?
The community does, but there are accessibility and energy-efficiency grants that can cover part of it, and it can be financed. You’ll find it all on the grants and financing page.
Shall we clear things up?
In two minutes we'll tell you whether your lift is up to date. And if anything is missing, what it is and how to fix it. No obligation.
Would you rather talk it through? Call us on 930 221 313.