VCA quality mark: is it the same as a VCA certificate?
In practice, many people call the VCA certificate a quality mark. That is understandable, because clients ask for it as proof of safe working. Formally, it is a company certificate. An accredited certification body assesses your safety and health management, and the SSVV (Stichting Samenwerken Voor Veiligheid, the foundation that manages VCA) registers the result in the Central Certificates Register (CCR). The term “quality mark” does not appear on the SSVV page about company certification.
So the difference is not in the content but in the name and the check. You only hold a certificate once it is in the register and still valid. You can read what the levels mean on VCA levels. You can read what makes the certificate valid on What is VCA?.
What does quality mark mean exactly?
A quality mark is, in general, a sign that a product or company meets a standard. The word is broader than a certificate. In VCA, people often use it for the same proof: the company has completed the checklist and is certified.
| Term | What it is | Where you check it |
|---|---|---|
| VCA company certificate | The official proof after an audit by an accredited body | Central Certificates Register (CCR) |
| VCA quality mark (informal) | The same meaning, but used in conversation and adverts | Not separate; check the certificate |
| VCA personal diploma | Proof for an individual worker, such as B-VCA | Central Diploma Register (CDR) |
Note the last point: a diploma is not a company certificate. A company that only has workers’ diplomas is not yet VCA certified. See B-VCA and VOL-VCA for the difference.
A company that says “we have the VCA quality mark” without a certificate number proves nothing. Ask for the certificate and check it in the register.
Why it is confusing
There are three reasons why the terms get mixed up.
- Clients use the term. A tender that asks for a “VCA quality mark” often means the company certificate.
- Advertisers use the word. A website that promises “VCA certified” or a “VCA quality mark” does not always show that a valid certificate exists.
- It exists alongside other safety schemes. The Veiligheidsladder (Safety Culture Ladder) is, for example, a different scheme with its own name. Do not confuse it with VCA. See VCA vs. Veiligheidsladder.
How do you prove a VCA certificate?
Good proof has three parts. A copy of the certificate alone is not enough, because it may have expired or been withdrawn.
Ask for the certificate
The company provides the certificate with the level, the expiry date and the name of the certification body. Check that the level meets your client’s requirement.
Check it in the CCR
Look up the company on the website of the Central Certificates Register (CCR) . You need the town of a branch and three letters of the company name.
Record the check
Note the date, the result and who carried out the check. This is your evidence in an audit or a later complaint.
What do you check on a certificate?
A paper certificate is a starting point, not an end point. Check the following points and note the result.
| Point | What you look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Company name and branch | Does the name match your contract or quote? | A holding company or another business can use the same brand name |
| Level | VCA*, VCA** or VCA Petrochemie | The level shows which requirements were met |
| Validity | The end date of the certificate | An expired certificate does not count |
| Register | Is the company in the CCR with the same details? | The register is the source of truth |
If one point does not match, ask the company for an explanation. Without a matching check, you cannot show that the company is certified.
Common mistakes
- Trusting a quality mark on a website. A logo or text on a website does not show that a valid certificate exists. The register is the source.
- Mixing up diplomas with the company certificate. These are two different proofs.
- Not noticing expired certificates. A certificate is valid for up to three years, provided the company meets the annual interim audit.
- Ignoring the level. A VCA* certificate does not always meet a VCA** requirement. See VCA levels.
Frequently asked questions
Is a VCA quality mark a different product from the certificate? No, in practice it is the same proof. The word quality mark is informal. The official term is company certificate.
Can I buy a VCA quality mark? No. You cannot give yourself a VCA certificate. You must complete the audit with an accredited certification body. Anyone who offers something else is not selling VCA proof.
Where do I find the validity of my certificate? On the certificate itself and in the CCR. A certificate is valid for up to three years. For a three-year certificate, the certification body checks each year whether you still meet the requirements.
Should I put a quality mark on my quote? That is your choice, but include the level and the certificate number. A logo without a number gives the client nothing to check.
More information
- Is VCA mandatory?: when the market requires VCA
- VCA levels: VCA*, VCA** or Petrochemie
- VCA terms: the abbreviations and terms explained
- Frequently asked questions about VCA: more answers