Certificates and quality marks

With a certificate or quality mark, you can demonstrate that something meets certain requirements. For some products, services, or employees, a certificate is mandatory. There are separate conditions around registration and accreditation for working with food products.

What is a certificate?

A certificate is an official written document. A certificate demonstrates that the products and services, processes or working conditions in your company meet certain requirements with respect to for instance:

• safety
• quality
• environment
• sustainability
• education

Are certificates mandatory?

Sometimes, a client or the Dutch government makes certification mandatory. In general this is the case when it concerns safety or quality, for example for:

• people working with asbestos
• lifts, cranes and pressure vessels
• diving work
• working with explosives
• commercial fireworks
• working conditions services
• companies that dig up archaeological sites
• drivers transporting dangerous goods
• health and safety agencies
• companies that work with gas appliances, such as central heating boilers, gas fires, or gas-driven hot water tanks

What is a quality mark?

A quality mark (or label) is an image (logo) on a product or on a description of a service. The logo shows that the product or service meets the requirements associated with that quality mark.

Permission for using a quality mark

You must be granted permission from the quality mark owner to use it. If granted, you may use its logo. Does your product or service fail to meet the promised standards? Your customers may call you to account. In that case, you must offer them a solution within a reasonable period of time, free of charge.

How to get a certificate or quality mark

Certificates or quality marks are issued by a certifying body (Certificerende instelling, CI). A CI checks regularly if you still meet the requirements associated with the certificate or quality mark. Technically, anyone can issue certificates or quality marks. However, if a CI is accredited you know that the issuing body is independent and competent. The Dutch Accreditation Council (Raad voor Accreditatie, RvA) lists:

• accredited organisations
• quality marks of accredited organisations