The step-by-step plan contains five steps that will help you obtain an SCL certificate or statement.
Obtaining an SCL certificate or statement may seem like a big task, but it doesn't have to be. By starting on time, you will avoid rushing and be assured of a place with an auditor. We like to make the route clear for you. With this roadmap, you will know exactly what to expect and go through the process step by step.
Forget thick manuals and complicated procedures. The Safety Culture Ladder is a hallmark for attitude and behaviour, not a management system.
SCL does not look at your paperwork, but at your people. How do colleagues treat each other? Do they dare to speak to each other about unsafe behaviour? Is attention paid to psychosocial safety (work pressure, social interaction)? The SCL is a valuable addition to your 'hard' safety agreements. It makes safety human and discussable.
Tip: Don't make it too big. The SCL is about what you already do in the workplace every day.
No need to guess where you stand. The SCL Web tool (SAQ) gives you instant insight. Think of this as a baseline measurement: it makes the 'black box' of your corporate culture transparent.
By completing the questionnaire, you will see exactly where your strengths lie and where improvement is needed. It is the ideal preparation for the audit. You immediately discover which knobs you can turn to grow to step 3. For products such as SCL Light (for small organisations) and the Self Assessment, this tool is the mandatory basis.
Action: Don't wait for the auditor. Start now with the web tool and find out where you stand.
This is the time to take action. Contact a Certifying Body (CB) to schedule your audit. Because of the 2026 deadline, the demand for auditors is huge. Make sure you are not at the back of the queue.
What does such an audit look like?
Don't be afraid of an exam. An SCL audit is above all a good conversation. Two independent auditors visit your company (office and project sites). They conduct interviews and observe. They do not look at your folders of documents, but listen to your employees.
The auditors will give you a clear report afterwards. You will hear what step you are on and get guidance for the future.
Is the assessment positive? Congratulations. You will receive your SCL certificate (for a 100% audit) or your SCL statement (for a 40% audit).
The Certifying Institution immediately passes this on to NEN. We take care of the official registration in the SCL register. This shows clients that you meet the requirements they set (such as ProRail, TEnneT, ViA). Your company is ready for the future.
Need help preparing?
NEN manages the scheme and is independent. We do not provide tailored advice ourselves. Are you looking for specific guidance to grow to level 3? There are several consultancies and trainers in the market that can help you with this.
| Feature | Self-assessment (SA) | SCL Light (Small organisations) | SCL Light | SCL | SCL Original |
| Suitable for | All organisations | 5 to 50 employees | From 5 employees | From 5 employees | From 5 employees |
| Document | Self-declaration | Statement | Statement | Certificate | Certificate |
| Step range | No step listing | Step indication (max. step 3) | Step indication (max. step 3) | Step entry (max step 4) | Step listing (all steps possible) |
| SCL Web tool | Mandatory (SAQ*) | Mandatory (SAQ*) | Mandatory (SAQ*) | SAQ* or questionnaire of your choice | SAQ* or questionnaire of your choice |
| Internal Auditor | Mandatory (trained in accordance with NEN requirements) | Mandatory (trained in accordance with NEN requirements) | N/A. | N/A. | N/A. |
| External Audit Year 1 | No external audit | Partial (40%) | Partial (40%) | Full (100%) | Full (100%) |
| External Audit Year 2 | N/A. | Assessment of behavioural goals (1 auditor) | Assessment of behavioural goals (1 auditor) | Partial (40%) | Full (100%) |
| External Audit Year 3 | N/A. | No external audit** (if criteria met). Otherwise 1 auditor. | Assessment of behavioural goals (1 auditor) | Partial (40%) | Full (100%) |
| Validity | 1 year (repeat max. 1 time) | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years |
| More information | Read more | Read more | Read more | Read more | Read more |
* SAQ: The Self Assessment
Questionnaire is offered exclusively through the SCL Web tool. The questions are
approved by the Committee of Experts.
** Criteria year 3 (Small organisations): The external
audit in year 3 expires only if the auditor in year 2 finds that: 1) the
behavioural goals have been achieved, 2) the management is demonstrably engaged, 3) the
behavioural change is visible on the shop floor and 4) the organisation is still
meets the requirements of the step indication.