Is a VCA certificate mandatory?
Does your company work as a contractor on construction sites, in factories or installations, or in other higher-risk environments? If so, you are likely to be asked sooner or later whether you are VCA-certified. But what does that mean exactly? Is the certificate required by law? And do your employees need to take a training course to obtain it? We answer the key questions.
What exactly is VCA?
VCA stands for Veiligheid, Gezondheid en Milieu Checklist Aannemers (Health, Safety, and Environment Checklist Contractors). It is a checklist against which an employer can be certified. The certification enables employers to demonstrate that they systematically address safety and safety awareness, health, and the environment in their operations.
To obtain a VCA certificate, your organisation is audited by a certification body. The audit uses the VCA checklist to assess whether you meet the required criteria, from policy and risks to employees’ knowledge and training.
New VCA version since 1 July 2026
A new version of the VCA (2026/6.1) has been in effect since July 2026. It applies to all new and ongoing certifications and audits. This version introduces several significant changes and additions.
An internal auditor must be sufficiently independent of the matters being audited. They cannot audit their own work or have operational responsibility for the processes they audit. They must report their findings objectively and directly.
Mensura can carry out these internal audits for you or support you in conducting them.
Is a VCA certificate required by law?
No, a VCA certificate is not a legal requirement. A client can, however, make it a condition for carrying out certain work. In practice, VCA certification may therefore be necessary to work for certain clients or at certain locations. This is often the case for higher-risk work in factories, installations and workshops, and on construction sites.
Which VCA certificate do you need?
Different certification schemes are available depending on your organisation’s activities, including VCA*, VCA**, and VCA Petrochemicals. The most suitable certificate depends on the nature of the work, the risks, and clients’ expectations.
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How does a company obtain a VCA certificate?
An approved certification body assesses whether your organisation meets the VCA criteria. The audit examines both your documentation and how the system is applied in practice.
If the assessment is positive, you receive the certificate. It is valid for three years. An interim audit takes place each year during that period. You must also carry out an internal audit every year. Since July 2026, it must be conducted by a sufficiently independent party, such as Mensura.
Mensura does not carry out VCA certification itself. If you do not yet have a certification body, we can refer you to our partner Vinçotte.
Do employees of a VCA-certified company need to take a VCA training course?
All employees carrying out operational work in a VCA-certified company must obtain a personal B-VCA certificate. Operational managers must obtain an individual VOL-VCA certificate.
Employees who perform high-risk tasks must also take a specific training course, for example with our partner Vinçotte.
A high-risk task is work that carries an increased risk because of, for example, the equipment used, the working method, or the conditions. Examples include working in a confined space or hoisting loads. A risk assessment helps you determine which tasks in your organisation should be considered high-risk.You can find an overview of high-risk tasks in the ‘Register of High-Risk Tasks’.
Are you a client? You can find more information about VCA safety training in MyMensura.
Mensura helps you
Mensura offers a variety of products and services to boost well-being and health and safety in your organisation. From the legally required to the incredibly useful.