VCA Petrochemical: difference from VCA** and who it is for
VCA Petrochemical (VCA-P) is the most demanding of the three VCA levels. It is intended for contractors who work in the (petro)chemical industry. You must pass all 34 must questions, against 28 for VCA**. Six questions that are optional at VCA** become mandatory at VCA Petrochemical.
This is set out in the VCA checklist 2026/6.1 of the SSVV (Stichting Samenwerken Voor Veiligheid, the foundation that manages VCA) . The SSVV describes the level briefly as “for companies active in petrochemicals”. Your client decides which level you need. Below you can read the exact difference from VCA** and how to take the step to VCA-P.
What is VCA Petrochemical?
VCA itself comes from the petrochemical industry. The checklist states that VCA “originated from and was initially developed by the (petro)chemical industry”. Later, VCA was used more widely, in construction, infrastructure and engineering. VCA Petrochemical is the variant that comes closest to the original, stricter requirements.
The checklist describes the three levels as follows:
| Level | Focus |
|---|---|
| VCA* | Direct control of VGM (safety, health and environment) on the shop floor, without subcontractors |
| VCA** | Shop floor plus the VGM structure: policy, organisation and improvement management |
| VCA Petrochemical | Shop floor, VGM structure, plus specific additional requirements for petrochemicals |
Difference between VCA** and VCA Petrochemical
The difference is not a separate chapter. It lies in the status of a number of questions. At VCA**, eight questions are “additional”: you must pass at least four. At VCA Petrochemical, six of those eight are mandatory and you choose from the last two.
| Certification criterion | VCA* | VCA** | VCA Petrochemical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Must questions (2026/6.1) | 24 | 28 | 34 |
| Additional questions | None | At least 4 of 8 | At least 1 of 2 |
| Must questions in VCA 2017/6.0 | 23 | 27 | 33 |
| Toolbox meetings per year | 4 | 10 | 10 |
Which questions become mandatory at VCA Petrochemical?
These are the six questions that are additional at VCA** and become a must at VCA Petrochemical:
| Question | Subject | What exactly must you do? |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | Assess managers on VGM | Assess all managers, up to and including operational managers, every year on their VGM tasks, with a report |
| 5.2 | Discuss the VGM project plan with the client | Demonstrably offer the VGM plan and have the current version at the workplace |
| 7.2 | Trend analysis of inspections | Classify findings from workplace inspections and produce a trend analysis every year |
| 8.4 | Policy for adapted work | An adopted policy to offer adapted work after illness or accident, with an occupational physician involved |
| 10.1 | VCA requirements for subcontracting | Subcontractors are VCA certified or demonstrably meet Annex A |
| 10.3 | Temporary workers with VGM knowledge | Hire temporary workers for work sites in the Netherlands and Belgium through a VCU-certified temporary employment agency |
Of the two questions where you must pass at least one, one is 6.2 (training of workers for emergencies: first aid, incipient fire, evacuation, guiding emergency services) and the other is 8.3 (workers can consult an occupational physician themselves).
Three extra objectives in the management review
There is one more difference, in question 1.6, the management review. For VCA Petrochemical, the company sets three additional objectives itself. For example: “In 2027, 100% of work permits are signed off correctly”, “Each shift reports at least two unsafe situations per month” and “All gas meters are calibrated within the deadline”.
A contractor with VCA** who already passes six of the eight additional questions is close to VCA Petrochemical. Check which questions you are currently skipping. These are often 7.2 (trend analysis) and 8.4 (adapted work).
Who is VCA Petrochemical intended for?
VCA Petrochemical is intended for contractors who carry out operational work at (petro)chemical companies: refineries, chemical plants and tank storage. Think of maintenance, insulation, scaffolding, industrial cleaning and mechanical assembly on such a site.
The checklist is clear on this: “The client decides whether VCA certification is required and which level of VCA certification is expected.” No law prescribes VCA-P. If you work in chemicals and your client asks for VCA**, then VCA** is enough. If you are unsure, check the purchasing or contract terms of the site.
| Situation | Which level is most likely? |
|---|---|
| Installation company that only maintains homes and offices | VCA* or VCA** |
| Insulation company with a framework contract at a refinery | VCA Petrochemical, if the client requires it |
| Scaffolder who sometimes works at a chemical company | What the contract says, often VCA** or VCA-P |
SOG-P: training for high-risk tasks in petrochemicals
Besides the company certificate, petrochemical work often requires task-based qualifications. The SSVV manages the SSVV Opleidingengids Petrochemie (SOG-P) (SSVV Petrochemical Training Guide) for this purpose. According to the SSVV, SOG-P qualifications meet the training requirements of question 3.4 of VCA 2026/6.1 for those high-risk tasks.
The SSVV lists 15 SOG-P qualifications, grouped into clusters:
| Cluster | Examples of qualifications |
|---|---|
| Flanges | Working on flanged connections, including with torque and tensioning equipment |
| Moving loads | Slinging and guiding loads, hand-operated lifting equipment |
| Mobile equipment | Cherry picker, forklift truck, telehandler |
| Gas testing and standby | Gas testing, working as standby person |
| Breathing apparatus | Working with independent breathing apparatus |
Most qualifications are valid for five years. Some, such as gas testing and breathing apparatus, are valid for a shorter period. The personal VCA diplomas B-VCA and VOL-VCA are still required: SOG-P comes on top of them.
Step plan: from VCA** to VCA Petrochemical
Already have VCA**? Then the move is clear. This order works in practice:
| Step | What you do | Evidence for the audit |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Gap analysis | Go through the six extra must questions and see which ones you already pass | Completed checklist per question |
| 2. Client requirements | Ask your (petro)chemical client which SOG-P qualifications and site instructions are needed | Overview per function and task |
| 3. Set up | Complete the missing parts, such as trend analysis and the policy for adapted work | Procedures and first records |
| 4. Three objectives | Set the three extra objectives for the management review | Management review report |
| 5. Internal audit | Test all VCA Petrochemical questions internally | Audit report and action plan |
| 6. Certification body | Plan the audit for the new level | Audit plan from the certification body |
For initial certification, your system must have been in operation for at least three months before stage 2 of the audit can take place. Plan enough time for this. The whole process is set out in the VCA step plan.
What does the auditor check for VCA Petrochemical?
The VCA audit follows the same process as for the other levels, but the auditor tests more questions as must. Make sure you have the following ready:
- Assessment reports of all managers on VGM (question 1.4)
- The three own additional objectives and their status in the management review (question 1.6)
- The annual trend analysis of inspection findings (question 7.2)
- The procedure for adapted work and examples of its use (question 8.4)
- The overview of subcontractors with their VCA status (question 10.1)
- The list of hired temporary workers and their VCU temporary employment agency (question 10.3)
Frequently asked questions about VCA Petrochemical
Is VCA Petrochemical the same as VCA***?
People sometimes say “three stars”, but that level does not exist. The VCA checklist only has VCA*, VCA** and VCA Petrochemical.
Can you move from VCA** to VCA Petrochemical?
Yes. Your basis is the same. You complete the six extra must questions and the three extra objectives. Ask your certification body how they plan the extension, because the audit time depends on the type of certificate.
How much does VCA Petrochemical cost?
More than VCA**, because the audit is more extensive and you have more to set up. See the indications on costs and timeline.
More information
- VCA levels compared: VCA*, VCA** or Petrochemical?
- The VCA standard: must questions and additional questions
- VCU for temporary employment agencies: needed for question 10.3
- VCA checklist 2026/6.1 (SSVV) : the official text