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VCAFrequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about VCA

When you look into VCA  certification, the same questions keep coming up. The SSVV  manages the scheme and the diploma register . Below you will find answers to the most common questions, based on the official VCA documents and practical experience.

Is VCA mandatory?

VCA is not a legal requirement. No law obliges companies to hold VCA certification. In practice, however, the market often makes it mandatory.

Many clients, especially in construction, industry and petrochemicals, require VCA from their contractors and subcontractors. Without a VCA certificate, you simply will not get work with these clients. In that sense, VCA is de facto mandatory for many companies that want to work in their market.

The Stichting Samenwerken Voor Veiligheid (SSVV, Foundation for Cooperation on Safety)  manages the VCA scheme and the register of certified companies. For a full explanation, including which legal duties do apply, read Is VCA mandatory?. People also often call it a quality mark; see VCA quality mark.

What is the difference between VCA and VCU?

VCA stands for Veiligheid, Gezondheid en Milieu Checklist Aannemers (Safety, Health and Environment Checklist for Contractors). It is intended for companies that carry out work, such as contractors, installers and maintenance companies.

VCU stands for Veiligheid en Gezondheid Checklist Uitzendorganisaties (Safety and Health Checklist for Temporary Employment Agencies). It is the version for temporary employment agencies and staffing companies that supply staff to VCA-certified clients.

The idea is that the safety chain must be complete. If a client requires VCA from contractors, but the temporary workers come through an agency with no safety controls, a gap appears. VCU fills that gap.

Which level do I need: VCA* or VCA**?

The choice depends on your situation:

VCA* is enough if you:

  • Have a smaller company (up to about 35 employees)
  • Carry out operational work under the direction of others
  • Do not manage other subcontractors
  • Have clients who accept VCA*

VCA** is needed if you:

  • Have a larger company (more than about 35 employees)
  • Manage other subcontractors
  • Have coordinating responsibilities on projects
  • Have clients who require VCA**

VCA Petrochemie is needed if you work in the petrochemical industry, at refineries, chemical plants or other BRZO (Dutch Major Accident Risks Decree) companies.

Always check what your clients ask for. They ultimately decide which level you need.

Read more on the VCA levels page.

How much does VCA certification cost?

Costs vary by level and company size. As an indication:

Small company (1-10 employees)

  • VCA*: €1,800 - €5,000 in the first year
  • VCA**: €2,700 - €6,500 in the first year

Medium-sized company (10-50 employees)

  • VCA*: €4,000 - €10,500 in the first year
  • VCA**: €6,000 - €14,500 in the first year

The biggest costs are the safety diplomas for employees and the certification audit. After the first year, there are annual costs for interim audits and maintenance.

Read more on the costs and timeline page.

How long does it take to get VCA?

The lead time depends on the level and your starting position:

  • VCA*: 1-3 months
  • VCA**: 2-4 months
  • VCA Petrochemie: 3-6 months

The diplomas are often the critical path. If employees still need to take exams and there are waiting times at examination institutes, this can slow down the process. Start with the diplomas early for that reason.

How long is a VCA certificate valid?

The VCA certificate is valid for three years. During those three years, the certifying body visits every year for an interim audit to check whether you still meet the requirements.

After three years, a recertification audit follows, similar to the initial audit. If it is successful, a new three-year cycle begins.

How long are VCA diplomas valid?

B-VCA, VOL-VCA and VIL-VCU diplomas are all valid for ten years. After ten years, you must retake the exam to renew the diploma. There is no shortened refresher exam; you take the full exam again.

Keep an eye on diploma expiry dates and schedule re-examinations well in advance.

Do all my employees need a VCA diploma?

Not all employees need a VCA diploma. The requirement applies to:

  • Operational employees who carry out high-risk work: they need B-VCA
  • Operational managers who are responsible for the safety of a team: they need VOL-VCA

Office staff who do no physical work at locations with risks fall outside the requirement.

The standard states that at least 90% of operational employees must hold a valid B-VCA diploma, and 100% of operational managers must hold a valid VOL-VCA diploma.

What does a VCA diploma cost?

The cost of a VCA diploma varies by provider:

DiplomaExam onlyCourse + exam
B-VCA€80 - €120€150 - €250
VOL-VCA€120 - €160€250 - €400
VIL-VCU€100 - €140€200 - €350

Group discounts are often available for larger numbers of employees. Well-known examination institutes are PBNA , Dirksen  and SHE Academy .

Can I take VOL-VCA without first having B-VCA?

Yes, you can take VOL-VCA directly. VOL-VCA is not a follow-up to B-VCA but a separate diploma. VOL-VCA covers all the knowledge of B-VCA plus the management aspects.

If you hold VOL-VCA, you no longer need B-VCA. VOL-VCA covers both.

In which language can I take the exam?

B-VCA and VOL-VCA exams are available in several languages, including Dutch, English, German, Polish and Turkish. VIL-VCU is only available in Dutch.

Note that some clients set additional language requirements. They may require diplomas taken in Dutch or English, or they may ask for a separate language test.

What if I fail the VCA exam?

If you do not pass, you can retake the exam. You will then have to pay the exam fee again. There is no waiting period; you can book a new exam date straight away.

The pass rate for VCA exams is around 80-90%. Most people who prepare properly pass.

Can VCA be combined with ISO 9001?

Yes, VCA can sit alongside ISO 9001 without problems. Many companies hold both certifications.

There is also overlap. Elements such as document control, corrective actions and management commitment appear in both. If you already have ISO 9001, you can reuse a lot for VCA.

Some certifying bodies offer combined audits, which saves time and costs.

What is the difference between VCA and ISO 45001?

VCA and ISO 45001 both cover safety, but there are important differences.

VCA is specifically aimed at contractors who work at clients’ locations. The requirements are concrete and practical. VCA originated in the Netherlands and Belgium and is mainly widespread in these regions.

ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety. It is broader than VCA and covers the whole organisation, not specifically contractor situations. ISO 45001 requires a systematic management system with risk analysis, objectives and continual improvement.

Many companies hold both. They have VCA because the market requires it, and ISO 45001 as part of an integrated management system.

Do we need a consultant?

A consultant is not required, but one can help speed up the process and avoid pitfalls.

For VCA*, many companies can do it themselves using the SSVV information  and sample documents. The requirements are concrete and the documentation is clear.

For VCA**, support is more often recommended, especially if you have no experience with management systems. The requirements are more extensive and the documentation more complex.

How do I choose a certifying body?

Choose a body that is recognised by the SSVV . Only recognised bodies may issue official VCA certificates.

Compare quotes from several bodies. Look at more than price, including:

  • Experience in your sector
  • Availability and scheduling
  • Reputation and client satisfaction
  • Whether they also offer other certifications you may want later

Well-known certifying bodies in the Netherlands include Kiwa , TÜV , DNV , Bureau Veritas  and LRQA .

Can I upgrade from VCA* to VCA**?

Yes, upgrading is possible. If you already hold VCA*, you have the operational foundation. You build the management layer on top of it.

The extra steps for VCA** are:

  • Drawing up a VGM policy (health, safety and environment policy)
  • Defining objectives and monitoring
  • Extending risk management with task-risk analyses
  • Setting up management involvement
  • Setting requirements for subcontractors

The lead time for an upgrade is shorter than for an initial VCA** certification, and the costs are lower.

What happens if we fail the audit?

Failing means that non-conformities have been found that must be resolved first.

For minor non-conformities, you usually receive a deadline (often 90 days) to fix the problems and provide evidence. After that, the certificate is issued.

For major non-conformities, the certificate is not issued until the non-conformities have been resolved and verified. This may require a follow-up visit from the auditor.

Most companies that do not pass on their first attempt do obtain the certificate at a re-audit.

Do we need an RI&E?

Yes, a risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E) is mandatory. This is not only a VCA requirement but also a legal obligation for all employers in the Netherlands under the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) .

The RI&E must inventory the risks of your activities, assess their severity and describe measures. For companies with up to 25 employees, a recognised sector RI&E tool can often be used.

What are toolbox meetings?

Toolbox meetings are short gatherings where a safety topic is discussed. The name comes from the practice of pausing at the toolbox before work starts.

VCA requires regular toolbox meetings. The frequency can vary, but expect at least one per month. Topics can include specific risks, lessons from incidents, new procedures or current events.

A toolbox meeting does not need to be long; 15-30 minutes is often enough. Record each toolbox meeting with the date, topic and attendees.

How long do I need to keep records?

The VCA standard does not specify exact retention periods, but the rule of thumb is to keep records for at least three years (the duration of the certificate). This means you can show historical records at every audit.

Some records, such as incident records, are better kept longer for trend analysis and legal purposes.

Can we certify multiple locations?

Yes, VCA certification can cover multiple locations. The certificate is issued to the organisation, not to a specific location.

During audits, locations are visited on a sample basis. Not all locations are checked at every audit, but over the three-year cycle the auditor must get a representative picture.

What changes in 2025/2026?

The most important change from 1 July 2025: operational managers must demonstrate leadership skills. This must be reflected in their job descriptions and assessments. You have until 1 July 2026 to arrange this.

Read all the details on the VCA changes 2025/2026 page.

Is VCA valid abroad?

VCA is recognised in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Austria. In Germany and Austria it is called SCC (Safety Certificate Contractors), but the content is almost identical. Your Dutch VCA certificate and diplomas are valid there.

Outside these countries, ISO 45001 is often a better choice. Read more on the VCA international page.

More information

VCA internationallyNEN 4400 and SNA