diff --git a/src/pineko/check.py b/src/pineko/check.py
index 5a93ae79..68365ae1 100644
--- a/src/pineko/check.py
+++ b/src/pineko/check.py
@@ -65,3 +65,33 @@ def check_grid_and_eko_compatible(pineappl_grid, operators, xif):
     # x-grid
     if not np.all(in1d(np.unique(operators["targetgrid"]), np.array(x_grid))):
         raise ValueError("x grid in pineappl grid and eko operator are NOT compatible!")
+
+
+def contains_fact(grid):
+    """Check whether factorization scale-variations are available in the pineappl grid.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+        grid: pineappl.grid.Grid
+            Pineappl grid
+    """
+    order_list = [order.as_tuple() for order in grid.orders()]
+    for order in order_list:
+        if order[-1] != 0:
+            return
+    raise ValueError("Factorization scale variations are not available for this grid")
+
+
+def contains_ren(grid):
+    """Check whether renormalization scale-variations are available in the pineappl grid.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+        grid: pineappl.grid.Grid
+            Pineappl grid
+    """
+    order_list = [order.as_tuple() for order in grid.orders()]
+    for order in order_list:
+        if order[-2] != 0:
+            return
+    raise ValueError("Renormalization scale variations are not available for this grid")
diff --git a/src/pineko/cli/__init__.py b/src/pineko/cli/__init__.py
index 0965db72..943ede4a 100644
--- a/src/pineko/cli/__init__.py
+++ b/src/pineko/cli/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-"""CLI entry point."""
 from . import check, compare, convolute, opcard, theory_
 from ._base import command
diff --git a/src/pineko/cli/check.py b/src/pineko/cli/check.py
index 2b5e2c54..676d6804 100644
--- a/src/pineko/cli/check.py
+++ b/src/pineko/cli/check.py
@@ -9,22 +9,58 @@
 from ._base import command
 
 
-@command.command("check")
-@click.argument("pineappl_path", metavar="PINEAPPL", type=click.Path(exists=True))
-@click.argument("eko_path", metavar="EKO", type=click.Path(exists=True))
+@command.group("check")
+def subcommand():
+    """Check grid and operator properties."""
+
+
+@subcommand.command("compatibility")
+@click.argument("grid_path", metavar="PINEAPPL", type=click.Path(exists=True))
+@click.argument("operator_path", metavar="EKO", type=click.Path(exists=True))
 @click.option("--xif", default=1.0, help="factorization scale variation")
-def subcommand(pineappl_path, eko_path, xif):
+def sub_compatibility(grid_path, operator_path, xif):
     """Check PineAPPL grid and EKO compatibility.
 
     In order to be compatible, the grid provided in PINEAPPL and the operator
     provided in EKO, have to expose the same x grid and Q2 grid.
 
     XIF is the factorization scale variation.
+
     """
-    pineappl_grid = pineappl.grid.Grid.read(pineappl_path)
-    operators = eko.output.Output.load_tar(eko_path)
+    pineappl_grid = pineappl.grid.Grid.read(grid_path)
+    operators = eko.output.Output.load_tar(operator_path)
     try:
         check.check_grid_and_eko_compatible(pineappl_grid, operators, xif)
         rich.print("[green]Success:[/] grids are compatible")
     except ValueError as e:
         rich.print("[red]Error:[/]", e)
+
+
+@subcommand.command("scvar")
+@click.argument("grid_path", metavar="PINEAPPL", type=click.Path(exists=True))
+@click.argument(
+    "scale",
+    metavar="SCALE",
+    type=click.Choice(["ren", "fact"]),
+)
+def sub_scvar(grid_path, scale):
+    """Check if PineAPPL grid contains requested scale variations."""
+    grid = pineappl.grid.Grid.read(grid_path)
+    if scale == "ren":
+        try:
+            check.contains_ren(grid)
+            rich.print(
+                "[green]Success:[/] grids contain renormalization scale variations"
+            )
+        except ValueError as e:
+            rich.print("[red]Error:[/]", e)
+    elif scale == "fact":
+        try:
+            check.contains_fact(grid)
+            rich.print(
+                "[green]Success:[/] grids contain factorization scale variations"
+            )
+        except ValueError as e:
+            rich.print("[red]Error:[/]", e)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError("Scale variation to check can be one between xir and xif")
diff --git a/src/pineko/cli/convolute.py b/src/pineko/cli/convolute.py
index 5687ca35..ba6a2c70 100644
--- a/src/pineko/cli/convolute.py
+++ b/src/pineko/cli/convolute.py
@@ -1,14 +1,16 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 """CLI entry point to convolution."""
 import click
+import pineappl
+import rich
 
 from .. import evolve
 from ._base import command
 
 
 @command.command("convolute")
-@click.argument("pineappl", type=click.Path(exists=True))
-@click.argument("eko", type=click.Path(exists=True))
+@click.argument("grid_path", type=click.Path(exists=True))
+@click.argument("op_path", type=click.Path(exists=True))
 @click.argument("fktable", type=click.Path())
 @click.argument("max_as", type=int)
 @click.argument("max_al", type=int)
@@ -23,10 +25,10 @@
     help="the flavor assumptions to be used",
     show_default=True,
 )
-def subcommand(pineappl, eko, fktable, max_as, max_al, xir, xif, pdf, assumptions):
+def subcommand(grid_path, op_path, fktable, max_as, max_al, xir, xif, pdf, assumptions):
     """Convolute PineAPPL grid and EKO into an FK table.
 
-    PINEAPPL and EKO are the path to the respective elements to convolute, and
+    GRID_PATH and OP_PATH are the path to the respective elements to convolute, and
     FKTABLE is the path where to dump the output.
 
     MAX_AS and MAX_AL are used to specify the order in QCD and QED
@@ -38,9 +40,17 @@ def subcommand(pineappl, eko, fktable, max_as, max_al, xir, xif, pdf, assumption
 
     PDF is an optional PDF set compatible with the EKO to compare grid and FK table.
     """
+    grid = pineappl.grid.Grid.read(grid_path)
+    rich.print(
+        rich.panel.Panel.fit("Computing ...", style="magenta", box=rich.box.SQUARE),
+        f"   {grid_path}\n",
+        f"+ {op_path}\n",
+        f"= {fktable}\n",
+        f"with max_as={max_as}, max_al={max_al}, xir={xir}, xif={xif}",
+    )
     _grid, _fk, comp = evolve.evolve_grid(
-        pineappl,
-        eko,
+        grid,
+        op_path,
         fktable,
         max_as,
         max_al,
diff --git a/src/pineko/evolve.py b/src/pineko/evolve.py
index 6844f042..75fbe9e1 100644
--- a/src/pineko/evolve.py
+++ b/src/pineko/evolve.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def write_operator_card(pineappl_grid, default_card, card_path, xi):
 
 
 def evolve_grid(
-    pineappl_path,
+    grid,
     eko_path,
     fktable_path,
     max_as,
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ def evolve_grid(
 
     Parameters
     ----------
-    pineappl_path : str
+    grid : pineappl.grid.Grid
         unconvoluted grid
     eko_path : str
         evolution operator
@@ -113,32 +113,23 @@ def evolve_grid(
     comparison_pdf : None or str
         if given, a comparison table (with / without evolution) will be printed
     """
-    rich.print(
-        rich.panel.Panel.fit("Computing ...", style="magenta", box=rich.box.SQUARE),
-        f"   {pineappl_path}\n",
-        f"+ {eko_path}\n",
-        f"= {fktable_path}\n",
-        f"with max_as={max_as}, max_al={max_al}, xir={xir}, xif={xif}",
-    )
-    # load
-    pineappl_grid = pineappl.grid.Grid.read(str(pineappl_path))
-    _x_grid, _pids, mur2_grid, _muf2_grid = pineappl_grid.axes()
+    _x_grid, _pids, mur2_grid, _muf2_grid = grid.axes()
     operators = eko.output.Output.load_tar(eko_path)
-    check.check_grid_and_eko_compatible(pineappl_grid, operators, xif)
+    check.check_grid_and_eko_compatible(grid, operators, xif)
     # rotate to evolution (if doable and necessary)
     if np.allclose(operators["inputpids"], br.flavor_basis_pids):
         operators.to_evol()
     elif not np.allclose(operators["inputpids"], br.evol_basis_pids):
         raise ValueError("The EKO is neither in flavor nor in evolution basis.")
     # do it
-    order_mask = pineappl.grid.Order.create_mask(pineappl_grid.orders(), max_as, max_al)
+    order_mask = pineappl.grid.Order.create_mask(grid.orders(), max_as, max_al)
     # TODO this is a hack to not break the CLI
     # the problem is that the EKO output still does not contain the theory/operators card and
     # so I can't compute alpha_s *here* if xir != 1
     if np.isclose(xir, 1.0) and alphas_values is None:
         mur2_grid = list(operators["Q2grid"].keys())
         alphas_values = [op["alphas"] for op in operators["Q2grid"].values()]
-    fktable = pineappl_grid.convolute_eko(
+    fktable = grid.convolute_eko(
         operators,
         xir * xir * mur2_grid,
         alphas_values,
@@ -154,8 +145,8 @@ def evolve_grid(
     comparison = None
     if comparison_pdf is not None:
         comparison = comparator.compare(
-            pineappl_grid, fktable, max_as, max_al, comparison_pdf, xir, xif
+            grid, fktable, max_as, max_al, comparison_pdf, xir, xif
         )
         fktable.set_key_value("results_fk", comparison.to_string())
         fktable.set_key_value("results_fk_pdfset", comparison_pdf)
-    return pineappl_grid, fktable, comparison
+    return grid, fktable, comparison
diff --git a/src/pineko/theory.py b/src/pineko/theory.py
index efcb534f..3362fe3c 100644
--- a/src/pineko/theory.py
+++ b/src/pineko/theory.py
@@ -11,11 +11,12 @@
 
 import eko
 import numpy as np
+import pineappl
 import rich
 import yaml
 from eko import strong_coupling as sc
 
-from . import configs, evolve, parser, theory_card
+from . import check, configs, evolve, parser, theory_card
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -346,6 +347,15 @@ def fk(self, name, grid_path, tcard, pdf):
         do_log = self.activate_logging(
             paths["logs"]["fk"], f"{self.theory_id}-{name}-{pdf}.log"
         )
+        # check if grid contains SV if theory is requesting them
+        xir = tcard["XIR"]
+        xif = tcard["XIF"]
+        ftr = tcard["fact_to_ren_scale_ratio"]
+        pineappl_grid = pineappl.grid.Grid.read(grid_path)
+        if not np.isclose(xir, 1.0):
+            check.contains_ren(pineappl_grid)
+        if not (np.isclose(xif, 1.0) and np.isclose(ftr, 1.0)):
+            check.contains_fact(pineappl_grid)
         # setup data
         eko_filename = self.ekos_path() / f"{name}.tar"
         fk_filename = self.fks_path / f"{name}.{parser.EXT}"
@@ -362,8 +372,6 @@ def fk(self, name, grid_path, tcard, pdf):
         # q2_grid = ocard["Q2grid"]
         operators = eko.output.Output.load_tar(eko_filename)
         q2_grid = operators["Q2grid"].keys()
-        xir = tcard["XIR"]
-        xif = tcard["XIF"]
         # PineAPPL wants alpha_s = 4*pi*a_s
         alphas_values = [
             4.0 * np.pi * astrong.a_s(xir * xir * Q2 / xif / xif) for Q2 in q2_grid
@@ -374,8 +382,16 @@ def fk(self, name, grid_path, tcard, pdf):
         logger.info("Start computation of %s", name)
         logger.info("max_as=%d, max_al=%d, xir=%f, xif=%f", max_as, max_al, xir, xif)
         start_time = time.perf_counter()
+
+        rich.print(
+            rich.panel.Panel.fit("Computing ...", style="magenta", box=rich.box.SQUARE),
+            f"   {grid_path}\n",
+            f"+ {eko_filename}\n",
+            f"= {fk_filename}\n",
+            f"with max_as={max_as}, max_al={max_al}, xir={xir}, xif={xif}",
+        )
         _grid, _fk, comparison = evolve.evolve_grid(
-            grid_path,
+            pineappl_grid,
             eko_filename,
             fk_filename,
             max_as,
diff --git a/tests/test_check.py b/tests/test_check.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e7374fa7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_check.py
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+import pathlib
+
+import eko
+import numpy as np
+import pineappl
+import pytest
+
+import pineko.check
+
+
+class Fake_grid:
+    def __init__(self, order_list):
+        self.orderlist = order_list
+
+    def orders(self):
+        return self.orderlist
+
+
+class Order:
+    def __init__(self, order_tup):
+        self.orders = order_tup
+
+    def as_tuple(self):
+        return self.orders
+
+
+def test_contains_fact():
+    first_order = Order((0, 0, 0, 0))
+    second_order = Order((1, 1, 0, 0))
+    third_order = Order((0, 0, 1, 1))
+    order_list = [first_order, second_order, third_order]
+    mygrid = Fake_grid(order_list)
+    assert pineko.check.contains_fact(mygrid) is None
+    order_list.pop(-1)
+    mygrid_nofact = Fake_grid(order_list)
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        pineko.check.contains_fact(mygrid_nofact)
+
+
+def test_contains_ren():
+    first_order = Order((0, 0, 0, 0))
+    second_order = Order((1, 1, 0, 0))
+    third_order = Order((0, 0, 1, 1))
+    order_list = [first_order, second_order, third_order]
+    mygrid = Fake_grid(order_list)
+    assert pineko.check.contains_ren(mygrid) is None
+    order_list.pop(-1)
+    mygrid_nofact = Fake_grid(order_list)
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        pineko.check.contains_ren(mygrid_nofact)