What is DIN 13164?
DIN 13164 is a standard published by the Deutsches Institut fur Normung (German Institute for Standardisation) that defines the minimum contents of a first aid kit for motor vehicles. Originally developed for the German market, it has become the most widely recognised vehicle first aid standard across the European Union.
The standard specifies exactly which items a kit must contain, in what quantities, and to what quality level. It covers wound care, bandaging materials, protective equipment and basic tools needed to provide first aid at the scene of an incident.
For commercial fleets operating across borders, DIN 13164 serves as a de facto compliance benchmark. Rather than navigating different national requirements in every country your vehicles enter, a DIN 13164-certified kit provides a consistent, accepted baseline. Inspectors and insurers across Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg recognise it as proof of adequate provision.
Why DIN 13164 matters for Belgian companies
Belgian employers have clear legal obligations when it comes to first aid. The Codex over het welzijn op het werk (Code of Well-being at Work) and the Royal Decree on First Aid (KB Eerste Hulp) require that employers ensure first aid materials are accessible at every workplace, including mobile workplaces such as commercial vehicles.
This means a service van, delivery truck or utility vehicle counts as a workplace under Belgian law. If your employees operate from vehicles, those vehicles need properly stocked first aid provisions. A missing or inadequate kit is not just a safety gap but a compliance violation that can surface during inspections or, worse, after an incident.
DIN 13164 is widely accepted by Belgian labour inspectors and insurance companies as meeting this requirement. Because the standard is also recognised in the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg, it gives fleets operating cross-border a single, practical solution. One standard, multiple countries covered.
What a DIN 13164 kit contains
A compliant DIN 13164 first aid kit (article number HYS-FAK-001) includes the following items:
- Adhesive plasters in assorted sizes
- Sterile wound dressings
- Bandages and gauze
- Disposable gloves
- Scissors
- Antiseptic wipes
- Triangular bandage
- Medical tape
- Burn gel sachets
Every item in the kit has an expiration date. Sterile dressings, antiseptic wipes and burn gel sachets lose their effectiveness over time. A kit with expired contents does not meet the DIN 13164 standard, even if every item is physically present.
Completeness matters equally. After any use, even a single plaster, the kit must be restocked to its full specification. An incomplete kit is a non-compliant kit.
Common mistakes with first aid kits in vehicles
Despite the clear requirements, many fleets fall short in practice. The most common issues are predictable and preventable.
Kits buried under tools or cargo are a frequent problem. If a driver cannot find the kit within seconds, it fails its purpose. First aid materials need to be in a fixed, visible and accessible position at all times.
Expired contents are another widespread issue. Without a scheduled inspection process, plasters dry out, antiseptic wipes lose potency and sterile packaging degrades. Many fleet managers only discover this when it is too late.
Using the kit and not restocking it is equally problematic. A driver uses a bandage on Monday, and the kit remains incomplete for weeks or months until someone happens to notice.
Finally, some companies use generic household first aid kits that do not meet the DIN 13164 specification. These may lack critical items or contain products that do not meet the required quality standards. This creates both a compliance risk during inspections and a genuine safety risk for workers.
How to keep your fleet compliant
Maintaining first aid compliance across a fleet does not need to be complicated, but it does need to be systematic.
Start by choosing a DIN 13164-certified kit. This eliminates guesswork about contents and quality. Mount each kit in a fixed, visible location inside the vehicle so drivers and passengers can locate it immediately.
Establish a regular inspection schedule. Monthly checks take only a few minutes per vehicle and ensure expired or used items are identified before they become a problem. Document your inspections as part of your broader safety management.
When items are used or expire, replace them immediately. Keeping spare refill kits in your depot makes this practical. Replacement kits are available at store.hysaver.com and are designed for tool-free swap-out.
The HYSAVER unit integrates a DIN 13164 first aid kit (HYS-FAK-001) in a fixed, visible position inside the vehicle, making compliance straightforward. The kit is pre-stocked and safety compliant out of the box, and replacement is tool-free, so restocking takes seconds rather than minutes.
A systematic approach to first aid is not just about passing inspections. It is about ensuring that when an incident occurs, your people have what they need, where they need it, in working condition.
Questions or interested in HYSAVER? Get in touch.
