The answers to a number of frequently asked questions follow below. Please contact us if you have any other questions.
The standard is the framework for certification against the SCL 2.0. The Certification Scheme contains the arrangements made about assessment against the SCL 2.0. The standard and the Certification Scheme are published on this page.
A number of steps need to be completed to obtain certification against the SCL. These steps are explained in the general step-by-step plan. A detailed step-by-step plan is also available per SCL product (certificate type).
Only certification bodies (CBs) that have entered into a licensing agreement with NEN are permitted to do these assessments. This guarantees that CBs meet the quality requirements of the scheme manager (NEN). Click here to see the full list of certification bodies.
You can use the tool to do an independent baseline measurement or to start the certification process. The ready-made questionnaire can be completed by employees at every level in your organisation. The results show which themes could still be improved on and what is already going well. See the webtool for more information.
Yes, NEN organises various training courses for auditors, including internal auditors. Because the SCL requires a completely different approach and assessment method than standard system audits do, this training course teaches (internal) auditors to assess safety culture in organisations against the SCL 2.0 standard. See 'training courses‘ on the website for the dates.
Yes, training courses are organised for organisations that want to obtain certification against the SCL. See ‘training courses‘ for the dates.
Yes. The Self-Assessment is available to organisations of all sizes, including organisations with fewer than five employees.
Organisations with fewer than five employees may submit a self-declaration each year. For other SCL products, the minimum threshold is five employees.
Yes. Organisations with more than five employees can use the Self-Assessment as an introduction to the Safety Culture Ladder.
After one year, they may submit a self-declaration once more. This allows them to use the SA for a maximum of two consecutive years. After that, the organisation must select another suitable SCL product.
The self-declaration is valid for one year.
Organisations with fewer than five employees may submit a self-declaration each year, with no limit on the number of times this may be done.
Organisations with five or more employees may reissue the self-declaration once after one year. For them, the SA is limited to a maximum of two consecutive years. To continue using an SCL product thereafter, they must select another suitable product.
No. The other SCL products are only available to organisations with five or more employees. Organisations with fewer than five employees may therefore continue to use the SA. However, they must submit a self-declaration each year.
No. The result is a self-declaration without a formal level indication. No external audit takes place and no certifying body is involved. The SA is not recognised as valid evidence for clients.
No. Inclusion in the SA register is voluntary. Would you like to demonstrate publicly that your organisation is actively working to develop its safety culture? If so, you can submit the self-declaration to NEN via the SCL Webtool.
Fees and additional conditions apply to registration, including the appointment of an internal auditor who meets the NEN training requirements.
To be included in the SA register, your organisation must employ or engage an internal auditor.
This auditor has completed the NEN training course ‘SCL: Assessing internal safety awareness’ completed, or an equivalent training course with another provider that meets the NEN requirements.
Registration fees in 2026 will be € 69 excluding VAT per entry. In 2027, this will be €75 excluding VAT per entry.
These costs are separate from a subscription to the SCL Webtool. The features and subscription rates can be found at webtoolscl.nl.
The NEN-ISO 45001 and VCA, VCU and VCO apply to every type of organisation. These standards focus on managing and continuously improving quality and safety in organisations via QHSE (quality, health, safety and environment) management systems. It has become increasingly clear in recent years that the right resources and systems and the human factor are essential, especially for the safe performance of work in practice. This has resulted in more attention for the ‘soft’ side of the QHSE management system, such as implicit health and safety at work.
The (new) SCL standard is not used to assess H&S management systems but to objectively measure attitudes and behaviour about health and safety (H&S) in an organisation. The SCL aims to contribute to health and safety awareness in organisations, thus promoting the healthy and safe performance of work and encouraging improvements in this area. So, the SCL complements the way in which an organisation has set up its processes, whether or not through ‘system standards’ like NEN-ISO 45001 and the VCA/VCU/VCO and current laws and regulations, such as the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) and sector guidelines.
SCL news is regularly posted on the website under ‘News‘. You could also sign up for the regular SCL newsletter, which contains news about the SCL and related subjects.
If you cannot find the answers to your questions in the FAQs, submit your question via the contact form. here.
If you have questions about how the SCL Webtool works, contact the NEN customer service team via klantenservice@nen.nl or via +31 (0)15 2 690 391 between 08.30 and 17.00 hours on Monday to Friday inclusive..
To start the certification process, contact one of the certification bodies.