What is SCL Light, and who is it for?
SCL Light is an entry-level variant of the Safety Culture Ladder (Veiligheidsladder), open to organisations from 5 employees onwards. Organisations with up to 50 employees can choose SCL Light for small organisations. The end result is a statement with a level, not a certificate. The highest level you can reach with SCL Light is level 3 (calculative). For many smaller construction and infrastructure companies, that is the practical route to the level 3 requirement of ViA (Veiligheid in Aanbesteding, safety in procurement).
The ViA guidance (Handreiking ViA) accepts SCL Light as evidence of level 3, for all company sizes from 5 employees onwards. The official SCL website lists SCL Light alongside SCL Original and SCL, and NEN (Netherlands Standardization Institute) manages the scheme. Always check the conditions with your own certification body.
What SCL Light is and is not
| Aspect | SCL Light | SCL Original or SCL |
|---|---|---|
| Target group | From 5 employees onwards. The variant for small organisations is for 5 to 50 employees | From 5 employees onwards |
| End result | Statement with a level | Certificate with a level |
| Highest level | Level 3 | SCL: level 4. SCL Original: all levels |
| Validity | 3 years | 3 years |
| Internal auditor | Required | Not required |
| Audit year 1 | 40% of a full audit | SCL Original: 100%. SCL: 100% |
| Year 2 | Review of the action plan and behaviour goals by one auditor | SCL Original: 100%. SCL: 40% |
| Year 3 | Same review. Small organisations have no external audit if they meet the criteria | SCL Original: 100%. SCL: 40% |
Source: the product overview on the SCL website .
Why a statement and not a certificate?
A certificate states that your system has been checked against all parts of the ladder up to a certain level. A statement states that a smaller audit has shown where you stand and what you will improve. It is less demanding, but it is still an official document with a level on it.
In practice, this makes little difference to a client if the requirement is “level 3” and SCL Light is accepted. Be aware, however, that some clients ask for a specific product. Always read the requirement carefully.
Who is SCL Light the right choice for?
Choose SCL Light if you meet all three of these conditions:
- You have at least 5 employees. If you have between 5 and 50, you can choose the variant for small organisations.
- You want to reach level 3, not higher.
- Your client accepts SCL Light, or you only want to grow internally.
Choose SCL or SCL Original instead if you need level 4, or if your client explicitly asks for it. ProRail requires level 4 with an SCL Original certificate for workplace security and for cable and drilling companies, and rail contractors also need SCL Original. For those requirements, SCL Light is not enough.
Do you have fewer than 5 employees? Then your organisation falls outside the target group of SCL Light. According to the ViA guidance, no evidence is required for ViA contracts in that case. Ask your certification body whether another product fits.
Example (fictional): a painting company with 14 employees
A painting company with fourteen employees wants to work for a housing association that requires level 3. The owner chooses SCL Light, because the company is small and does not need level 4.
Carry out the baseline measurement
The owner completes the SAQ with three employees from the shop floor and with themselves. The results show that the theme “learning and improving” scores weakest: nothing is discussed after jobs.
Draw up an action plan
The company chooses three behaviour goals. One of them: after every job, the crew spends ten minutes discussing what could be better. That is concrete, measurable and fits the shop floor.
Have the statement reviewed
In year 1, an audit of 40% of a full certification audit follows. In years 2 and 3, an auditor looks at progress on the action plan and the behaviour goals. The result is the statement with a level up to and including 3, valid for three years.
The example is fictional. Costs and lead time depend on the body and the size of the company. See costs and timeline for an indication.
Common mistakes with SCL Light
Thinking it is a cheap version of a certificate. It is a different product with a different outcome. The statement does not replace a certificate, and clients read it that way too.
Treating the action plan as a formality. In years 2 and 3, the action plan is reviewed. A plan that nobody carries out will stand out.
Not checking who the internal auditor is. The SCL website states that an internal auditor is required for SCL Light. A product description from TÜV also mentions a completed NEN training. That training requirement is not confirmed on the SCL website. Ask your body what applies to your process.
Does SCL Light suit you? A short test
Answer these questions honestly. If you answer “yes” three or more times, SCL Light is probably the right choice.
- Do I have 5 to 50 employees?
- Is level 3 enough for my client?
- Do I have a fixed person responsible for monitoring the action plan?
- Can I make the behaviour goals concrete for the shop floor?
- Do I know who my internal auditor will be? That person is required for SCL Light.
If you answer “yes” fewer than three times, look at the certification routes first. An SAQ as a baseline measurement is often the better first step then.
What you notice in years 1 and 2
In year 1, the audit is the moment when the auditor sees how you work. The auditor does not only look at paperwork, but also talks with management and with part of the shop floor. A company that produces extra documents in the week of the audit stands out. A company that shows its everyday habits scores better.
In years 2 and 3, the focus is on progress. You show what you have done with the action plan, which behaviour goals you have reached and which you have not. A missed goal is not a disaster, as long as you explain why and what you now do differently.
Further reading
For the difference with the other forms and the choice between SAQ, ASA and certificate, read certification routes. For the rules in tenders, see the ViA requirement. Want to know whether you need SCL Light or SCL for a specific client: the Safety Culture Ladder for construction and infrastructure.
More about the Safety Culture Ladder
- What is the Safety Culture Ladder?: the hub with all topics
- The 5 levels: which level belongs to which form
- Frequently asked questions: short answers to more questions
- Step-by-step plan: from baseline measurement to statement