What is VCA?

VCA was developed by the Dutch and Belgian process industries as a standardised method for assessing the safety performance of contractors. The scheme evaluates health, safety and environmental aspects of a company's operations through a structured questionnaire. Certification is granted by an accredited certification body following an external audit.

There are three certification levels. VCA* (one star) is designed for small contractors with up to approximately ten employees in hazardous work and focuses on the fundamentals of HSE policy, worker instruction and incident recording. VCA** (two stars) applies to larger companies and imposes stricter requirements on the HSE management structure, internal audits and management involvement. VCA Petrochemie is the most demanding level, specific to the petrochemical industry.

In contracts, VCA is used in two ways. As a procurement requirement: the client requires a valid certificate before a contractor may enter the site or commence the assignment. As a contractual obligation: the contractor undertakes to maintain the certificate throughout the contract period and to notify loss immediately.

Expiry of VCA certification during a live contract is a material breach where the client has made this a contractual requirement. VCA certificates are valid for three years. For long-term contractor agreements, verify the certificate's validity annually through the certifying body. VCA is widely applicable in construction, industry, utilities and facilities management.

VCA certification gives clients externally verified evidence that a contractor has its safety management in order before setting foot on site. When contractors' employees are injured, the client may be held liable if it failed to adequately assess the safety performance of its contractors. Including VCA as a procurement requirement reduces that risk and places responsibility more clearly with the contractor.

For SMEs engaging contractors for construction, maintenance or installation work, including VCA as a procurement condition is a low-threshold measure that substantially limits liability exposure.