New SCL products from 2 July 2025: what’s changing?

As an accredited certification body and recognized partner of NEN in the field of the Safety Culture Ladder, Kiwa plays an active role in the implementation and development of the certification scheme. We are closely involved in harmonization meetings and maintain direct contact with both NEN and other stakeholders in the sector. From this position, we would like to inform you about several changes to the SCL system that will take effect on 2 July 2025.

Self-Assessment (SA): the successor to ASA

The current Approved Self-Assessment (ASA) will be replaced by the new Self-Assessment (SA) on 2 July 2025. This tool enables organizations to independently engage with the Safety Culture Ladder without the need for a mandatory external audit. The SA will be available via a web-based tool, which includes a GAP analysis, behavioral objectives, and an official self-declaration.

What does this mean?

• Declarations issued under the ASA will remain valid until their original expiration date.
• If your ASA declaration expires in 2025, it will automatically be extended until 1 January 2026.
• From January 2026 onwards, the ASA product will be discontinued. Certification under ASA will no longer be possible, and no new ASA certification processes can be initiated after this date.

Key features of SA:

• Replaces ASA
• No external audit required
• Independent use via the SCL web tool
• Valid for 1 year, with a one-time extension option
• Requires an internal auditor (with mandatory NEN training)

SCL Light: tailored approach for smaller organizations

For organizations with 5 to 50 employees, a renewed certification pathway will be available under the name SCL Light. This variant emphasizes practical, applicable behavioral change and combines a self-declaration with internal audits and concrete behavioral objectives.

If an organization demonstrates in the second year of the SCL Light cycle that objectives have been met, the external audit in year three may be waived. A condition for this is the deployment of an internal auditor who has completed the recognized NEN training.

Key features of SCL Light (for small organizations):

• Designed for organizations with 5–50 employees
• External audit in year 3 may be waived if progress is demonstrated
• Define 1–3 SMART behavioral objectives
• Requires an internal auditor (with mandatory NEN training)
• Certification available from 2 July 2025

Renewed SCL Light for larger organizations

SCL Light is also being updated for organizations with more than 50 employees. The renewed version focuses on the actual impact of safety behavior and attitude in practice. The web tool supports the formulation and recording of behavioral objectives, which will be assessed during the audit.

Key features of SCL Light (for large organizations):

• For organizations with more than 50 employees
• Mandatory 1–3 SMART behavioral objectives
• No action plan required in years 2 and 3
• Year 3 audit remains mandatory
• No internal auditor required
• Certification available from 2 July 2025

Important dates

• 2 July 2025: Start of certification based on the renewed SCL products (SA and SCL Light).
• Until 31 December 2025: Audits and registration under ASA still possible (only for ongoing and/or signed offers between certification bodies and certificate holders).
• From 1 January 2026: Only audits based on ASA contracts agreed upon before 2026 will be allowed.

Do you have any questions about the transition or wondering which SCL product best suits your organization? Feel free to contact us for more information or tailored advice.