Leading in PSO Keurmerk certification
PSO quality mark
With the Social Business Performance Ladder (PSO), organisations demonstrate the extent to which they do social business. The quality mark focuses on providing and increasing opportunities for people with a distance to the labour market. It is possible to submit an application to Normec, so that the audits can be scheduled as soon as possible.
Benefits of the PSO quality mark certification
Meet Social Return requirements with ease during tenders
Make a clear contribution to a more inclusive society
Demonstrate good employer practices
This is what the PSO quality mark entails
The Performance Ladder for Social Entrepreneurship (PSO) is a scientifically substantiated quality mark established by TNO. The PSO ladder provides insight into the extent to which organisations practice social entrepreneurship, with labour participation of vulnerable groups in the labour market as its main objective. If your organisation holds this quality mark, it is clear to everyone that you provide opportunities to people with a distance to the labour market and that you truly put your inclusive policy into practice. In this way, your organisation contributes to a society in which everyone can participate.
How does your organisation obtain the PSO quality mark?
To certify your organisation, a PSO audit must take place. The auditor assesses the percentage of employees with a disadvantage in the labour market in relation to the total workforce. The auditor also evaluates whether your organisation treats these employees with care and responsibility. After submitting your request, we will schedule the PSO audit with you. Once your organisation has obtained the PSO quality mark, the certification is valid for two years. A biennial audit is conducted to ensure your organisation continues to meet the quality mark requirements.
Please note: requesting a quote is not the same as submitting an official PSO application. To apply for the PSO quality mark, you must complete the formal application process (step 6 in MijnPSO).
Want to know how the process works? Watch the explanation video on YouTube for a clear overview of the steps and what to expect.
Chain stimulation
To encourage the entire chain to contribute to social entrepreneurship, the PSO quality mark includes a chain stimulation mechanism. By purchasing from social organisations, you also make an indirect contribution to employment opportunities for vulnerable target groups. This indirect contribution has a positive impact on your own PSO score during the audit.
The PSO ladder
The PSO quality mark is structured as a performance ladder with four different performance levels. The greater the effort in the area of social entrepreneurship, the higher your organisation will end up on the ladder. With PSO certification, it is possible to start at any level. Due to the built-in chain stimulation, purchasing from a PSO-certified organisation also counts towards your own performance level.
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Methodology
How does the PSO certification process work?
- 1
Audit
During the audit, we assess whether your organisation meets the requirements outlined in the PSO framework.
- 2
Report
After the audit, the auditor will discuss the results and any necessary changes. We will then send the audit report to PSO Netherlands within two weeks.
- 3
Frequency
A PSO certificate is valid for two years. After that period, we conduct a new audit to verify that your organisation still complies with the PSO quality mark requirements.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
All organisations in the Netherlands that employ staff can become PSO certified. The PSO quality mark is particularly interesting for companies that want or need to comply with SROI (Social Return on Investment) obligations. Organisations that do a lot of work for government agencies are sometimes even required to carry the quality mark in order to be awarded contracts.
The PSO 30+ certificate recognises organisations that meet at least the quantitative requirements set out in Article 2.82 of the Public Procurement Act. PSO 30+ is a quality mark for organisations that engage in social entrepreneurship to a very high degree. These organisations distinguish themselves by offering at least 30% of their workforce to people who are distanced from the labour market.
View the PSO 30+ criteria.
In order to certify your organisation, a PSO audit must be conducted. During the PSO audit, one of our auditors assesses whether your organisation is eligible for the PSO quality mark based on quantitative and qualitative criteria. For example, the auditor looks at the percentage of employees who are distanced from the labour market in relation to the total workforce. The auditor also assesses whether your organisation treats its employees with care.