FAQ

The new Handbook gives more attention to projects where CO₂ is reduced and has become a more efficient standard. This means that explanations of requirements have been clarified and that a project file is introduced. There is also more alignment with international standards.

Branch organisations and clients have discussed the contents of the new Handbook together in the Central Board of Experts (CCvD). The representatives regularly consulted with their supporters about any intended change.

A transitional arrangement of six months applies to Handbook 3.1. This means that from 22 December 2020 (six months after the publication date) all audits (initial, annual and reassessments) will be mandatory according to Handbook 3.1. Before that date, it is of course already permitted to conduct audits according to Handbook 3.1. Example: if you had an audit in accordance with the old standard in May 2020, you only have to switch to Handbook 3.1 with your next audit in May 2021.

That's right. A small proportion of certificate holders had their emission inventory checked by an independent verifying body (requirement 3.A.2) instead of their CB. This option expires with the new Handbook. For those organisations that already have a verification statement, a transitional period of 15 months applies, provided that this statement was issued before the end of the transitional period (22 December 2020) of the new Handbook.

You can here view the list of certified companies.

The CO₂ Performance Ladder is an instrument that helps companies reduce CO₂. The instrument is used by clients and contractors for tenders. The principle of the Ladder is that efforts are rewarded with a concrete advantage in the tendering process in the form of a discount on the registration price.

The Foundation for Climate Friendly Procurement and Business (SKAO) is the owner and manager of the CO₂ Performance Ladder.

- The CO₂ related award advantage on the award price of acquired

projects;

- The improvement of your products and services through innovation;

- The reinforcement of your image as a sustainable supplier;

- Strengthening your position on the market as a sustainable employer;

- More added value through sustainable purchasing from your suppliers;

- You reduce energy and save CO₂

The amount of procurement bodies that use the Ladder is growing steadily. Next to national clients including ProRail, Rijkswaterstaat and Alliander, various municipalities, water boards and provinces have used the tool as well. Presently, clients are aware of the large role they can fulfill in stimulating a clean economy. They notice that the Ladder stimulates CO₂ and chain management with their contractors, where the tool provides for concrete sustainability ambitions. Here you can find a list of all clients who use the Ladder for tenders.

The University of Utrecht has conducted scientific research into the CO₂ emissions of companies certified for the CO₂ Performance Ladder. In the companies surveyed, the CO₂ reduction from 2010 to 2013 was 3.2 percent per year. This while the average energy saving rate in the Netherlands is 1.5 percent per year. Companies with a certificate therefore reduce twice as much CO₂.

The CO₂ Performance Ladder has various interfaces with other sustainability initiatives. View our flowchart for an overview of all initiatives.

SKAO has published the audit day table for this. This document provides Certification Organisations (CIs) with a guideline for the minimum time that an audit requires from an organization. This expected time expenditure depends on a number of factors, including the size of the organization to be certified and the (desired) ladder level.

From 1 September 2019, the audit day table is mandatory (normative) for both initial and annual ladder assessments.

All accredited schemes have guidelines for setting the minimum audit duration. The audit day table must ensure that the Certifying Institution has sufficient time to perform a proper assessment and thereby guarantee the quality of the Ladder assessments.

CO₂ footprint is synonymous with CO₂ footprint or carbon footprint: a measure, expressed in tons of CO₂ , for the emission of CO₂ as a result of the use of fossil fuels in traffic, aviation, transport, production of electricity, heating, etc. which in any case includes all scope 1 and 2 emissions separately.

You can register your organisation here to get started with the certification.

After your organisation is registered, you will receive an invoice. Within a week after the payment is done and processed, you will receive login details.

We have published a video and a practical guide containing all the steps you can go through to obtain a certificate. The Handbook contains all the requirements of the CO₂ Performance Ladder.

The SKAO has drawn up a list of all Ladder Certifying Organisations (CIs). Only these parties have been authorised by the SKAO to issue a CO₂ awareness certificate. All CBs have been accredited by the Dutch Accreditation Council.

A Ladder Certifying Body (CB) is a conformity assessment body that has been authorized by Foundation for Climate Friendly Procurement and Business (SKAO) to perform a certification or audit (also called a ladder assessment) if this CB has been issued by the Council for Accreditation or by another accreditation organization with which the The Accreditation Council concluded a Multi Lateral Agreement MLA (EA / IAF) - is accredited for the activity "management system certification of the CO₂ awareness system according to the CO₂ Performance Ladder.

A Verifying institution is an agency that is allowed to verify an emission inventory. VIs are accredited in accordance with ISO 14065 and / or accredited by the RvA for the performance of emission verifications in the framework of the European emission trading system (EU-ETS). In addition, agencies may also verify emission inventories if they have been declared competent by the SKAO.

You do not need a consultant when implementing the CO₂ Performance Ladder. The practical guide for companies explains what a company can do to obtain and maintain a certificate. However, a consultant can assist you and help you on your way.

Bio gas is gas that is produced from renewable sources. The term green gas is used to indicate that it is biogas that has been brought to natural gas quality. Just as for green electricity, there is a certification system for biogas and green gas. Read more.

Green electricity means electricity generated by sun, wind, water or biomass. Read more about green energy and the relationship with the CO₂ Performance Ladder.

The CO₂ Performance Ladder is a CO₂ management system. A management system is a coherent set of agreements and working methods and an organisational structure for systematic management and improvement of business processes to achieve the set goals. Other well-known management systems are, for example, ISO 9001 (quality management system), 14001 (environmental management system) and 50001 (energy management system). All management systems are aimed at continuous improvement and have a PCDA cycle (Plan Do Check Act). Management systems include components such as an internal audit and management review.

The CO₂ Performance Ladder has been accepted by the Accreditation Council (RvA) as an accredited certification system in accordance with NEN-EN-ISO-IES 17021, certification of management systems. The RvA acceptance for this scheme is known as S571. The Accreditation Council accredits conformity-certifying bodies. The RvA guarantees expert, impartial and independent supervision of the assessment of the certifying bodies.

Conformity-certifying bodies that meet the standard (CO₂ Performance Ladder) receive formal accreditation. This means that they may use the accreditation mark. Certificates and reports provided with this brand are accepted in almost all countries worldwide. All ladder CIs are accredited by the RvA.

The CO₂ Performance Ladder is an initiative from the market. The Ladder is therefore not supported by subsidy or government involvement. The principle of the Ladder is that all companies and organisations involved jointly finance the Ladder and contribute proportionately to the costs of the Ladder. These are paid for: the site, the helpdesk, further development, support of initiatives, management certification scheme, the foundation etc.

Your organisation will only be published on the SKAO website once the CO₂ aware Certificate has been obtained. If you have a certificate but you are not yet listed on the website, please notify SKAO via [email protected].