VCA Petrochemie certification (VCA-P) 

VCA Petrochemie is the highest VCA level and sets the most stringent requirements for HSE control, both on the work floor and within the organisation.  
 

Bureau Veritas Certification independently assesses whether your HSE management system meets these requirements and makes the certification process clear and straightforward. You benefit from a dedicated contact, experienced auditors with sector knowledge and clear agreements on planning, audits and certificate issuance. 

Benefits of VCA Petrochemie certification 

  • Demonstrable HSE control at the highest level

    VCA demonstrates that your organisation manages HSE effectively in the highest-risk working environments, for your own employees as well as hired workers and subcontractors.

  • Lower risk of incidents and downtime

    Systematic risk assessment, demonstrable employee training and periodic audits reduce the likelihood of incidents. This prevents costly project downtime.

  • Stronger position with clients

    A VCA-P certificate from a recognised certification body provides clients with assurance. It strengthens your position in contract negotiations and supplier selections in the petrochemical industry.

  • Combining VCA-P with ISO

    VCA Petrochemie safeguards safety on the work floor. Combining it with ISO 14001 or ISO 45001 also covers environmental performance and broader occupational health and safety management within an integrated system.

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Why choose Bureau Veritas Certification? 
 

  • A dedicated contact person: You work with a dedicated contact for planning, coordination, certificate issuance and changes. This keeps communication direct and means you do not need to explain your situation again each time. 
     

  • Auditors with knowledge of the (petro)chemical sector: From our local offices in Belgium and the Netherlands, we work with auditors who know the petrochemical industry. They understand the working conditions, risks and specific requirements of your clients. Audits can be conducted in Dutch, English or French. 
     

  • Assurance through recognised accreditation: We provide certification under recognised accreditation: RvA accreditation in the Netherlands and BELAC accreditation in Belgium. This gives your certificate demonstrable value with major petrochemical clients across the Benelux. 
     

  • All VCA levels from one certification body: Bureau Veritas Certification certifies organisations to VCA*, VCA** and VCA Petrochemie. If your organisation requires certification for multiple entities or levels, this can be managed through one dedicated contact. 
     

  • Easy to combine with other certifications: Combining VCA Petrochemie with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 or ISO 45001? As we offer all of these certifications, we can coordinate the audit processes efficiently. 
     

  • Transferring to Bureau Veritas Certification: Considering a transfer from another certification body? We review your current certificate, audit reports, outstanding findings, scope and planning so that, where possible, the transfer fits within your current certification cycle. 

Standard requirements: how is VCA Petrochemie structured? 

VCA Petrochemie builds on the requirements of VCA** and adds specific requirements for the petrochemical industry. The standard focuses on three areas: 

  • direct HSE control on the work floor; 

  • the organisation's HSE structure: policy, organisation and improvement management; 

  • additional requirements for carrying out work in the petrochemical industry. 

 

The standard contains 33 mandatory questions and 2 supplementary questions, at least 1 of which must be assessed positively. All 33 mandatory questions must be assessed positively. The questions cover: 

  • HSE policy and organisation, and management involvement; 

  • HSE risk management; 

  • training, information and instruction; 

  • HSE awareness and the HSE project plan; 

  • occupational health services; 

  • procurement and inspection of materials, work equipment and personal protective equipment; 

  • procurement of services, including the requirement to work with VCU-certified employment agencies; 

  • reporting, registration and investigation of incidents and near misses. 


What is the difference between VCA*, VCA** and VCA Petrochemie? 

The client determines which level is required. The overview below helps you identify the appropriate level. 
 

VCA* 

Focuses on direct HSE control on the work floor, without the use of subcontractors. 


VCA** 

In addition to HSE requirements on the work floor, it also sets requirements for HSE policy, HSE organisation and improvement management. 


VCA Petrochemie 

For contractors working in the petrochemical sector. It includes all VCA** requirements plus additional requirements specific to petrochemicals. This is the highest VCA level. 

Training for VCA and safety management  

Bureau Veritas offers training in VCA, internal audits and safety management across the Benelux. This helps employees prepare for internal and external audits and strengthen their knowledge of the standard. 

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