CO2 Performance ladder certification
Bureau Veritas Certification provides certification to version 4.0 of the CO₂ Performance Ladder and makes the process clear and straightforward. You benefit from one dedicated point of contact, experienced auditors and clear agreements on planning, audits and certificate issuance.
Clients, contracting authorities and supply chain partners increasingly require demonstrable control of CO₂ emissions. The CO₂ Performance Ladder is the leading CO₂ management system in the Netherlands for organisations that want to substantiate and continuously improve their climate performance.
Benefits of certification
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Advantage in contracts and tenders
For some clients, holding a CO₂ Performance Ladder certificate can provide an award advantage in tenders.
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Automatically meet the revised EED requirements
Organisations using over 85 TJ/year are expected to need an EED-recognised energy management system from late 2026. CO₂ Performance Ladder 4.0 certification qualifies.
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Substantiation of climate targets
The CO₂ Performance Ladder helps you turn climate ambitions into concrete action through measurable targets, reported progress and demonstrable collaboration on emissions reduction.
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Transparency for clients and supply chain partners
A valid certificate shows how your organisation manages CO₂ and the level of ambition it applies. This strengthens your position in tenders and supplier selections.
Why choose Bureau Veritas Certification?
One dedicated point of contact
You have one dedicated contact for planning, coordination, certificate issuance and changes, even when the audit covers multiple locations or levels.
Local availability
From our local offices in Belgium and the Netherlands, we work with qualified auditors who understand your sector. Audits can be conducted in Dutch, English or French.
Assurance through recognised accreditation
We provide certification under recognised accreditation. This gives your certificate demonstrable value with clients and supply chain partners.
Easy to combine with other certifications
Combining the CO₂ Performance Ladder with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 or ISO 50001? As we offer all of these certifications, we can coordinate the audit processes efficiently.
Transfer while retaining your certification cycle
Already certified? We review your current certificate, audit reports and documentation and, where possible, continue the process within your current certification cycle.
What does the certification process look like?
The certification process follows the same pattern as other management system standards and operates on a three-year certification cycle.
Stage 1 Audit: Bureau Veritas Certification assesses the documentation and readiness of your CO₂ management system. We determine whether the scope and key principles have been defined correctly.
Stage 2 Audit: The auditor assesses whether the CO₂ management system operates effectively in practice. This includes CO₂ insight, objectives, measures, transparency and, depending on the level, supply chain contributions and sector initiatives.
Annual ladder assessment (Surveillance Audit): Your organisation is assessed annually within the three-year certification cycle. This enables us to determine whether you continue to demonstrably meet the requirements of the relevant level.
Recertification Audit: At the end of the three-year cycle, we carry out a Recertification Audit to renew the certification cycle.
Relevant information
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Transfer to Bureau Veritas Certification?
Already certified to the CO₂ Performance Ladder but considering a transfer? We review your current certificate, audit reports, outstanding findings, scope and planning so that, where possible, the transfer fits within your current certification cycle.
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Which organisations is the CO₂ Performance Ladder relevant for?
The CO₂ Performance Ladder is a generic management system standard applicable to organisations of any size and in any sector. In practice, it is particularly relevant for organisations that work for or with:
contracting authorities of central government, municipalities and provinces;
ProRail, Rijkswaterstaat and other public-sector clients;
construction companies, contractors, installation companies and civil engineering firms;
industrial organisations, transport companies and business service providers.
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Standard requirements: how is the CO₂ Performance Ladder structured?
Version 4.0 of the CO₂ Performance Ladder has three steps. Your organisation chooses the level of ambition that fits the organisation and its CO₂ reduction objectives. As you move to a higher step, the requirements become more ambitious and the focus shifts from your own organisation to the supply chain and ultimately to net-zero emissions.
Step 1: CO₂ reduction within your own organisation: Step 1 focuses on reducing energy consumption and emissions within your own organisation. You map your scope 1 and scope 2 emissions and set concrete short-term reduction targets for a period of up to three years. It also focuses on embedding CO₂ awareness more broadly within your organisation.
Step 2: CO₂ reduction in the supply chain: At Step 2, you look beyond your own organisation. The focus is on the activities where your organisation can make the greatest impact, including value chain emissions (scope 3). You set medium-term targets for a period of five to ten years.
Step 3: reducing CO₂ emissions to net zero by 2050: Step 3 represents the highest level of ambition. Your organisation works towards net-zero emissions by 2050 for both its own activities and the supply chain. This covers scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and, where relevant, emissions beyond the value chain.