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Safety Culture LadderFrequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the Safety Culture Ladder

The Safety Culture Ladder (Veiligheidsladder) raises many practical questions. Is it mandatory? What does it cost? How does it differ from VCA? And what changes on 1 July 2026? This page answers the most frequently asked questions. NEN  manages the scheme. For the current standard, see safetycultureladder.com .

Is the Safety Culture Ladder mandatory?

The Safety Culture Ladder is not a legal requirement. No law says you must reach a certain level. However, for companies in construction, infrastructure and energy, it is de facto mandatory through tenders. To check in five steps whether you need it, read the page about the requirement.

Large clients such as Rijkswaterstaat, ProRail, TenneT and the water boards ask for a certain level as a tender requirement. If your company bids for their contracts, you cannot avoid it. Read more about which client asks for what on the pages ViA requirement and for construction and infrastructure.

What is the difference with VCA?

VCA and the Safety Culture Ladder measure different things. VCA checks whether your system and documents are in order: do you have the right procedures, diplomas and registrations? The Safety Culture Ladder looks one layer deeper: is safety really alive in your organisation, or does it only exist on paper?

VCA gives a yes or no certificate. The Safety Culture Ladder gives a level from 1 to 5. In construction, many companies have both, because clients ask for both. You can find a detailed comparison on the page Safety Culture Ladder vs. VCA.

Which level do I need?

Most clients who ask for the Safety Culture Ladder require level 3 at least. This is the level where systems are in place and people take safety seriously. Some ProRail sectors (work site security, cable and drilling companies) ask for level 4.

Always read your client’s tender documents. The overview table per client is on the page for construction and infrastructure. An explanation of what each level involves is on the page the 5 levels.

What does the Safety Culture Ladder cost?

There is no fixed price. NEN does not publish standard rates. Each accredited certification body (CB) sets its own rate. As an indication, for a small or medium-sized company reaching level 3 through SCL or SCL Light, the total cost over 3 years is often between €5,000 and €20,000, including coaching. The audit fees at the CB alone start at around €1,500 to €5,000, depending on the form and size of the organisation.

A detailed overview per certification form and company size is on the page costs and timeline.

How long does the process take?

That depends on how far you are from your target level. The baseline measurement, choice of certification form and gap analysis take a few weeks. The culture change itself takes the longest: moving from level 2 to level 3 takes 6 to 12 months on average.

The certificate or statement is then valid for 3 years. In year 2 and year 3, the CB checks your progress. After 3 years, recertification follows. The full process is set out in the step-by-step plan.

What is the difference between a certificate and a statement?

You receive a certificate with SCL Original or SCL. It is a full certificate with a level designation, up to and including level 4.

You receive a statement with SCL Light. It is the official result of the SCL Light procedure, up to level 3 at most. A statement is not a full certificate, but it does count for ViA tenders. For the full explanation, see the page certification forms.

Does the ASA (Approved Self Assessment) still count for tenders?

No. Since ViA 3.0, the Approved Self Assessment (ASA) has been removed as an accepted instrument for tenders. The ASA still exists as an SCL product for internal use, but if you need to demonstrate a ViA requirement, you need SCL Original, SCL or SCL Light.

Have you used an ASA in the past to meet tender requirements? Check whether your client still accepts it. Under ViA 3.0, it no longer does.

Who manages the Safety Culture Ladder?

The Safety Culture Ladder is managed by NEN  (the Royal Netherlands Standardisation Institute), since 1 July 2016. The Safety Culture Ladder was originally developed by ProRail, around 2012. Its official name is Safety Culture Ladder (SCL). You can find the standard itself at safetycultureladder.com . To read why the ladder is not a numbered NEN standard, see the page the NEN safety ladder.

Is the Safety Culture Ladder the same as ISO 45001?

No. ISO 45001 is an international management system for occupational health and safety. It shows that you systematically control occupational safety risks. The Safety Culture Ladder measures safety culture and behaviour.

ISO 45001 gives a yes or no certificate. The Safety Culture Ladder gives a level. A strong ISO 45001 system can help with the step to level 3 of the Safety Culture Ladder, but the two are not interchangeable. Clients who ask for the Safety Culture Ladder do not accept ISO 45001 as a replacement.

What changes on 1 July 2026?

From 1 July 2026, level 3 is the minimum under ViA 3.0 for contracts from €100,000. Before that, the requirement depended on the risk class of the work, and sometimes level 2 or a self-assessment was enough. That variation is disappearing: level 3 is the new minimum.

The ASA no longer counts (see above). SCL Original, SCL and SCL Light all still count.

Can my level go down?

Yes. The certification body reassesses you in year 2 and year 3. If your safety culture has declined or systems no longer work, the CB can lower your level. Getting a certificate is the start; maintenance is the next step.

Do I need both VCA and the Safety Culture Ladder?

That depends on your clients. In construction and infrastructure, it is common for large contractors to have both: VCA as a basic requirement and the Safety Culture Ladder as a client-specific requirement. They complement each other. VCA looks at the system, the Safety Culture Ladder looks at the culture.

If you are unsure, ask your client what they expect. More about how the two relate is on the page Safety Culture Ladder vs. VCA.

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