Reviewing the value of mandatory certification and testing arrangements for safety and health
bookPart
For a series of activities, there are in the Netherlands specific requirements for mandatory occupational safety and health (OSH) certification of people, products or services. To reduce problems with the present arrangements - for the involved ministry as well as for the stakeholders - exploratory research was carried out to clarify the added values of these mandatory arrangements, and to identify options to make the system leaner and more flexible without compromising the level of protection. The analyses are mainly based on a series of interviews of representatives of the various stakeholders. Most stakeholders value the mandatory status of the regimes; this is especially the case for the governing foundations that represent a variety of stakeholders. The stakeholders do not see many benefits in the option to make the arrangement voluntary. The option of a central register as an alternative for mandatory certification raises most questions. Stakeholders find it difficult to express conclusions as long as it is unclear how such a register would be organized and managed. A few examples were identified to simplify the current arrangement by using related guiding documents. Such constructions have the potential to reduce unnecessary detailed mandatory requirements, but ensuring the level of OSH. Finally, four success factors for managing change in the certification regime were identified: strengthening participation of stakeholders; better communication; harmonization and greater clarity; and maintenance of high but practical OSH standards.
Topics
TNO Identifier
532981
ISBN
978-1-326-49318-9
Publisher
Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate
Source title
Innovating environmental compliance assurance
Editor(s)
Ruessink, H.
Bree, M. de
Bree, M. de
Collation
314 p.
Place of publication
The Hague
Pages
1-12
Files
To receive the publication files, please send an e-mail request to TNO Repository.