Achieving SCL Level 3 by 1 July 2026: Here’s how to go about it

The deadline for the Governance Code for Safety in Construction (ViA) is drawing nearer. From 1 July 2026, SCL Level 3 will be a mandatory requirement for many tenders. For many small business owners, this feels like a mountain of work. But if you tackle it smartly and in small steps, you’ll meet that deadline without any stress.

Here you can read about what Step 3 entails, how to use ‘SCL Light’ and why you need to take action today to safeguard your order book.

1. The clock is ticking ahead of 1 July 2026

The reality in the construction and engineering sectors is simple: clients are tightening their requirements. From 1 July 2026, you must demonstrate that you are at level 3 of the Safety Culture Ladder (SCL). If you do not meet this requirement, you will no longer be permitted to tender for contracts subject to the ViA scheme.

Make sure you don’t end up offside
It may seem like something that doesn’t concern you, but it does. The point is that you need to be able to carry on with your work. The risk isn’t the audit itself, but starting too late. The certifying bodies’ diaries are already filling up. Anyone who waits until 1 July 2026 will miss the boat.

Take action now. Get started today, so you don’t miss out on any assignments later on.

2. What exactly is Step 3?

Forget the jargon. Level 3 (‘Calculated’) simply means, in plain language: you’ve got everything sorted and take safety seriously.

No flukes: Safety is no longer something that just ‘happens by chance’. You know what the risks are and you manage them.

From reacting to looking ahead: You don’t wait for an accident to happen; you take action before things go wrong.

It’s up to management: The director doesn’t just shout “Work safely!”, but also facilitates this and leads by example.

Differences compared with VCA or ISO

VCA is about rules, lists and procedures (the system). SCL is about attitude and behaviour (the culture). Do your staff speak to one another when they aren’t wearing a helmet? Does a trainee feel confident enough to stop work if it feels unsafe? That is what SCL is all about. It is not a replacement for your strict rules, but a necessary complement to them in practice.

3. How do you reach Step 3? (Start with the basics)

Start by: Have a read through the SCL standard

Download the SCL 2.0 standard and read the requirements for Level 3. This will give you an immediate idea of what is expected and help you avoid any surprises.

You don’t need to guess where you are. Use the SCL Web tool as a baseline measurement.

Look in the mirror: The Webtool acts as a mirror for your business. You complete the questionnaire (SAQ) and can immediately see where the gaps lie.

No more black box: You can see at a glance what’s going well and where your weaknesses lie. That way, you’ll know exactly what you need to work on.

Especially for SMEs: SCL Light for small organisations

Do you have up to 50 staff members (including temporary staff)? If so, you are likely to be eligible for SCL Light for small organisations. Always check with your client to confirm this is the case.

This programme has been specially designed for smaller organisations.

Less audit pressure: in year 3, you do not need to undergo an external audit (provided you carry out internal audits yourself and demonstrate that you take health and safety seriously).

It makes the transition manageable and affordable.

4. Are you ready yet?

Have you completed the Webtool and is the culture in order? If so, it’s time for the external assessment.

Book your auditor in good time

Don’t delay. There are a limited number of auditors in the Netherlands and thousands of companies that need to be certified before the deadline. Contact a Certification Body (CB) now to book a slot.

Not an exam, but a good conversation

Many business owners are ‘nervous’ about the audit. There’s absolutely no need to be. An SCL audit isn’t an inspection where someone goes through your paperwork with a red pencil looking for mistakes.

It involves a visit to the production floor and the office.

Auditors work in accordance with the four-eyes principle (there are always two of them) to ensure an objective assessment.

They will hold discussions with you and your staff: how experience Is it safety?

5. Want to give it a go yourself, or would you rather have some help?

Once you’ve read the SCL standard and completed the web tool, it’s not difficult to get started on your own. If you’d still prefer to seek help, you’re not on your own. Get in touch with one of the knowledge partners.

Role of NEN

NEN is the independent standards body. We monitor compliance with the standard, but we are not permitted to advise you on how to meet the requirements in specific cases. We certify the butcher, but we do not teach you how to make sausages.

SCL Knowledge Partners

Fortunately, there are experts who do just that. SCL Knowledge Partners are consultancy firms that understand how an organisation operates in practice. They guide you through the process. They help you translate the abstract standard into everyday practice.

6. Tip: Internal Safety Awareness Training

Would you like to gain a better grasp of the process yourself? Then take the training course “IAssessing internal safety awareness using the Safety Culture Ladder“.

This training course is a wise investment, particularly for users of SCL Light for small organisations. With SCL Light for small organisations, you are required to carry out internal audits yourself in the intervening years.

You’ll learn to see things from an auditor’s perspective.

You will learn to recognise unsafe behaviour and how to raise the issue.

You remain in control and save money.

Ready to go?

Log in to the Webtool, carry out the baseline measurement and contact a Certification Body. 1 July 2026 is closer than you think.

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