Is VCA mandatory? Not by law, but often through clients
No, VCA is not a legal requirement. No law forces a company to hold a VCA certificate. The scheme is a private arrangement managed by the SSVV , and in practice the market makes it mandatory: many clients, especially in construction, industry and technical sectors, only allow certified contractors onto their sites. Whether you need VCA therefore depends on your clients, not on the law.
The government’s Ondernemersplein (Dutch government business portal) puts it this way: a VCA certificate is not mandatory, but clients can require it. You can read about the available levels on the VCA levels page. The general explanation is on What is VCA?.
What does the law say about VCA?
VCA is a private scheme. The SSVV manages it, and recognised certification bodies carry out the audits. A missing VCA certificate is therefore not a legal offence. The consequence is commercial: a client can refuse you access to its site.
There is one nuance. Clients have their own verification duty (vergewisplicht): they must check that the parties working for them work safely. The Ondernemersplein refers to this duty: clients must make sure everyone can work safely. A certificate is a way for them to demonstrate that.
What is legally required?
Many obligations that come up in VCA audits come from the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) or the Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit). These are legal duties, even if you do not have VCA. The VCA checklist mainly checks whether you can demonstrate that you meet these duties.
| Obligation | Legally required? | What it means for VCA |
|---|---|---|
| RI&E (risk inventory and evaluation) | Yes, for every employer with staff | Basic requirement for VCA, see VCA requirements |
| V&G plan (safety and health plan) for construction works | Yes, for certain construction works | See V&G plan and VGM plan |
| BHV (company emergency response) | Yes, for all employers | Checked in the checklist |
| Personal diplomas (B-VCA, VOL-VCA) | No | Clients and VCA levels ask for them, see personal certificates |
The difference matters. A missing RI&E is a breach of the Working Conditions Act. A missing VCA certificate is a commercial problem: you miss out on work or access to a site.
When does the market require VCA?
The requirement usually comes from the client, not from the government. How often VCA is asked for depends on the sector and the type of work. The table below is a practical rule of thumb, not an official list.
| Situation | VCA likely required? |
|---|---|
| Work on an industrial estate or in a petrochemical complex | Yes, often VCA** or VCA Petrochemie |
| Construction or installation work for a large client | Yes, often VCA* or VCA** |
| Small job for a private individual or a small builder | Usually not, unless the client asks for it |
| Office work without physical risks | No |
Ask your client which level they want to see. The answer decides whether VCA* is enough or whether you need VCA**. See VCA levels for the difference.
Work out for yourself whether you need VCA
Read the requirement in the contract or tender
Look for “VCA”, “safety certificate” or “contractor checklist” in the request for quotation. Pay attention to the level mentioned. If it only says “safety”, there is not yet a firm requirement.
Ask the client to confirm
Send a short question: which VCA level is required for this assignment, and does it need to be a company certificate or a personal diploma? The answer is useful in writing.
Record the decision
Note the answer in your quote or project file. That way you know later why you did or did not certify, and you can decide faster on the next assignment.
Example: two companies, two outcomes
The example below is fictional and is meant to show the principle.
| Company A: roofer, three employees | Company B: technical installation company | |
|---|---|---|
| Clients | Private individuals and housing associations | Industrial clients |
| Market requirement | Usually no VCA | VCA** requested in the tender |
| Legal | RI&E and BHV required | RI&E and BHV required |
| Outcome | Certificate optional | Certificate necessary for the assignment |
Both companies must have the same legal matters in order. Only company B has a commercial reason to start the VCA process.
Even if you do not need VCA, the RI&E is still legally required. Many small companies think that means they need nothing else, but the RI&E is the foundation of every safety approach.
Common mistakes
- “VCA is legally required.” Incorrect. The law requires the RI&E and other Arbo matters, not the VCA certificate itself.
- “My client has never asked for VCA, so I don’t need it.” Check with them, because a requirement can still appear in a later tender.
- “We are a freelancer, so we don’t need VCA.” Freelancers can also need a personal diploma. See VCA for freelancers.
- “A VCA certificate is the same as an ISO certificate.” No. See VCA vs. ISO 45001 for the difference.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need VCA if I only do small jobs? That depends on your clients. Without a requirement from the market, you do not need it by law, but you may miss certain assignments.
Is VCA mandatory for employees? Not always. Personal diplomas such as B-VCA are often a requirement of the client or the VCA level, not of the law. Read the personal certificates page for details.
What if my client requires VCA and I do not have a certificate? Then you usually cannot work on the site. Ask the client what they accept, but do not count on an exception.
More information
- What is VCA? - the main page about VCA
- VCA levels - VCA*, VCA** or Petrochemistry
- Frequently asked questions about VCA - more answers to practical questions
- VCA costs and timeline - what certification costs