You want to know that your cleaning company works safely and has its affairs in order. Shinesta works with two certifications that are independently audited. This is what they involve and what they give you.
In brief
VCA is about safe and healthy work on site. Keurmerk Schoon is about how a cleaning company handles its administration, staff and agreements.
VCA stands for Veiligheid, Gezondheid en Milieu (VGM) Checklist Aannemers: a Dutch safety, health and environment checklist for contractors. The certificate is intended for companies that do work involving risks or work in places with risks.
Almost 500 of the 3,500 cleaning companies in the Netherlands hold this certification, according to Keurmerk Schoon itself. It shows that a company has its administration, staff and contract agreements in order.
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Cleaners sometimes work in places with risks too, for example on a construction site or in a commercial hall. For you as a client, VCA shows that a company has structurally arranged safety, health and the environment (VGM). A recognised certification body assesses this with an audit.
The certificate runs for three years, but it isn't a one-off. The certification body visits every year for an interim audit, and anything not in order must be resolved within three months. If that doesn't happen, the company loses the certificate. After the three years, certification starts again, based on the requirements that apply at that time.
VCA has three levels, from light to heavy. If a company works without subcontractors, VCA* applies. If it does use subcontractors, that's VCA**. VCA Petrochemie is for the petrochemical industry. As the client, you decide which level you ask for.
The VCA certificate belongs to the company. Anyone working for a VCA-certified company also needs a personal diploma: Basic Safety VCA (B‑VCA). This also applies to temporary staff, the self-employed and interns.
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Keurmerk Schoon is the certification for cleaning and window cleaning companies that are members of Schoonmakend Nederland, the Dutch cleaning trade association. It helps you recognise a professional and financially reliable company: one that follows the law, treats its people well and keeps its paperwork in order. That is hard for you to check as a client, especially if you purchase for several buildings, for example as a property manager or housing association.
If you outsource your cleaning, problems at your cleaning company can end up with you. If the company goes bankrupt, doesn't pay tax and contributions, doesn't keep its personnel records in order or employs people who aren't allowed to work here, that can lead to a back-assessment from the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) or the Netherlands Labour Authority (Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie). This is known as chain liability (ketenaansprakelijkheid).
Keurmerk Schoon reduces that risk. A company with this certification must hold an NEN 4400-1 certificate, also known as the SNA standard. That demonstrates that the payment of tax and contributions is correct, and that everyone working for the company is allowed to do so in the Netherlands. The Netherlands Labour Authority recommends this certification. It doesn't remove the risk altogether, but you do choose a partner where this is audited.
Keurmerk Schoon
A company with this certification has to meet these seven points. For each one, you can see what it involves and what it gives you.
The company holds an NEN 4400-1 certificate for its financial and personnel administration.
Less chance of a back-assessment through chain liability.
Staff receive pay and conditions under the collective labour agreement for cleaning, such as days off, pension accrual and training opportunities.
People who work for you on fair terms.
Cleaners are trained for the job. Anyone who isn't yet is offered the Vakopleiding Schoonmaak, the cleaning trade course, within twelve months.
Professional knowledge on your premises.
Company and client have agreed moments for contact and consultation, and the quality of the work is measured periodically.
You can make adjustments if something isn't going as agreed.
The company has signed the Code Verantwoordelijk Marktgedrag, the code of responsible market conduct. It puts the quality of the work and good working conditions first in purchasing.
Tendering on quality (EMVI) rather than the lowest price reduces your risk of chain liability.
The company has custody cover (opzichtverzekering) for damage a cleaner causes at your premises.
If damage occurs, there is financial cover, so you aren't left with the costs.
At least once a year, an independent inspection body checks all the points above. The report goes to Keurmerk Schoon, which assesses whether the company meets the requirements.
Good to know
VCA is about safe and healthy work and is intended for all kinds of companies doing work that involves risks, not just in cleaning. Keurmerk Schoon is specifically for cleaning and window cleaning companies, and covers matters such as administration, the labour agreement, training, insurance and keeping to contract agreements.
That is up to the client. A company decides for itself whether it wants VCA, but a client can make it a requirement, including the level. If you have that requirement, please mention it in your quote request.
No. The certification reduces the risk, because it is independently audited whether tax and contributions are paid correctly and whether staff are allowed to work in the Netherlands. It doesn't guarantee that you will never be held liable.
A VCA certificate is valid for three years, with an interim audit by the certification body every year. Companies with Keurmerk Schoon are audited at least once a year by an independent inspection body.
Yes. Mention it in your quote request or contact us, and we will send you what you need.
Keurmerk Schoon asks for trained cleaners. Anyone who isn't trained yet is offered the Vakopleiding Schoonmaak within twelve months. Anyone working for a VCA-certified company also needs a personal Basic Safety diploma (B‑VCA).
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