Guidance on Safety in Procurement (ViA) 2026: important changes for certificate holders
The changes in ViA 2026 have a direct impact on contractors, suppliers, consultancies and clients within the construction sector.
In this article, you can read about the most important changes and what they mean for your organisation.
What is ViA and how does it relate to SCL?
Safety in Tendering (ViA) is an agreement within the Governance Code for Safety in Construction. In tenders, clients require a minimum level of maturity in safety culture.
In order to meet the ViA requirements, tendering parties must demonstrate their safety culture by means of recognised evidence.
The Safety Culture Ladder (SCL) is a recognised instrument for this purpose. An SCL certificate or statement (SCL Light) can be used to demonstrate that the required level has been achieved.
Key changes in the ViA 2026 Guidelines
1. Mandatory level 3 from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, contracts worth €100,000 or more will be subject to a mandatory ViA requirement at level 3 for:
Contractors
Suppliers
Consultancy firms
Clients are also committed to this level.
This means that organisations must assess in good time whether their current safety culture and certification meet the new ViA 2026 requirements.
2. Terminology changed: from “steps” to “levels”
The term “steps” is no longer used in the updated guide. From now on, the term “levels” will be used.
This change creates scope to add other means of proof in the future, for example based on Hudson's safety ladder.
3. Approved Self Assessment no longer applicable
The Approved Self Assessment is no longer applicable.
For small organisations, SCL Light has been included as a recognised means of proof.
4. Risk matrix no longer decisive
The risk matrix is no longer used to determine the required means of proof.
Organisations can decide for themselves, within the framework of the guidelines and the scheme administrator, which recognised means of evidence they will use to comply with the ViA requirement.
VCA-MAX and ViA: current status
SSVV has developed a behavioural module on top of the existing VCA company certificate: VCA-MAX.
On behalf of the Governance Code for Safety in Construction, the University of Antwerp and TNO are currently conducting research into the equivalence of VCA-MAX with existing recognised ViA evidence.
Clarity on the possible inclusion of VCA-MAX in the ViA Guide is expected in the near future.
What does this mean for your organisation?
Organisations that are active in tenders within the construction sector would do well to assess in good time:
Whether level 3 will apply from 1 July 2026
Which evidence is most appropriate
Whether additional steps are needed within safety management
Timely preparation prevents delays when registering for tenders.
If you have any questions about the consequences for your certification or the steps to be taken, please contact us.