What changes in VCA?

VCA  is not standing still. The SSVV manages the scheme and updates it regularly  to keep it current. The biggest change now is the new version VCA 2026/6.1 , which applies from 1 July 2026. Below you will find the main changes your company needs to take into account.

VCA 2026/6.1: what changes from 1 July 2026?

VCA 2026/6.1 is the new version of the VCA checklist, published by the SSVV . From 1 July 2026, all audits follow this scheme, for both new and ongoing certifications. The version only applies to company certification. Do you hold a personal certificate such as B-VCA or VOL-VCA? That does not change.

The common thread: from practically arranged to demonstrably arranged. Since VCA 2017/6.0, a lot has changed in safe working. The new version puts more emphasis on behaviour, safety culture and proof that you actually comply, not just that something is written down.

The main changes at a glance

Changes from 1 July 2025

The biggest change in 2025 concerns managers. From 1 July 2025, operational managers must have demonstrable leadership skills. This is set out in the VCA 2017/6.0 certification scheme.

What does this mean in practice?

Until now, it was enough for a foreman or work planner to hold a VOL-VCA certificate. From July 2025, you must also be able to show that these people can actually lead on safety.

You need to arrange the following:

• Include leadership skills in the job description of managers
• Include leadership skills in the assessment of managers
• Be able to show that managers have been trained or have experience in safe leadership

Why this change?

A VOL-VCA certificate shows that someone has safety knowledge. But knowledge alone is not enough. A good manager also needs to:

• Set a good example
• Address people on unsafe behaviour
• Discuss safety in team meetings
• Make time and resources available for safe working

The SSVV wants companies to be more deliberate about this with this requirement.

What should you do?

Step 1: Check your job descriptions Check whether they say anything about safety and leadership. If not, add it. For example: “Actively leads safe working and addresses employees on unsafe behaviour.”

Step 2: Include it in assessments In the annual performance review or assessment, discuss how the manager handles safety. Record this.

Step 3: Consider training If your managers have never had training in safe leadership, now is a good time. There are short courses that focus on this specifically.

The 3-month rule

This is not a new rule, but many companies forget it: your VCA system must have been running for at least 3 months before you can be certified.

The auditor wants to see evidence that your system works in practice. That means:

• At least 3 months of toolbox talk records
• At least 3 months of workplace inspections
• Incident records (if there were any incidents)
• Evidence that diplomas are checked

So start on time. If you want to be certified in September, your system must have been running by June at the latest.

Accident frequency index (IF)

To be certified, your accident frequency index (IF) may not be higher than 40. This is a calculation that shows how often accidents happen per hours worked.

How do you calculate the IF?

The formula is:

IF = (number of accidents with absence × 1,000,000) / total hours worked

An example: your company has 20 employees who each work 1,800 hours a year. That is 36,000 hours in total. If there was 1 accident with absence:

IF = (1 × 1,000,000) / 36,000 = 27.8

This is below 40, so you meet the requirement.

VCA version history

Until 1 July 2026, VCA 2017/6.0 applies. After that, VCA 2026/6.1 applies. The checklist has been revised several times since 1994 to stay current.

You can always find the official documents on the SSVV website .

More information

• The VCA standard – Scheme, versions and structure of the checklist
• VCA requirements - The full checklist explained
• Step-by-step plan - From start to certificate
• Personal certificates - B-VCA and VOL-VCA certificates