Understanding the fees involved in the ZDHC Level 2 Certification process is crucial for proper budgeting and planning. There are two main types of fees: the ZDHC Supplier Platform and Certification Fee, and the Reviewer's Fee. Let's break these down:
1. ZDHC Platform and Certification Fee:
- Amount: €199
- When to pay: Before submitting your application
- Paid to: ZDHC directly through the Supplier Platform
- What you get:
- Access to the ZDHC Supplier Platform and Supplier to Zero
- Ability to submit your Level 2 application
- Processing of your application and review results
- Issuance of certification (if successful)
- Listing in the ZDHC Gateway (if successful)
Why pay this fee upfront?
- Platform maintenance: This fee helps ZDHC maintain and improve the certification platform.
- Quality assurance: It supports ZDHC's efforts to ensure high standards in the certification process.
- Reviewer vetting: ZDHC uses these funds to thoroughly vet and train approved reviewers.
- Continuous improvement: The fee contributes to ongoing research and development of the platform and Supplier to Zero.
- Administrative costs: This covers the administrative work involved in processing applications and certifications.
2. Reviewer's Fee:
- Amount: Varies by reviewer
- When to pay: After selecting your reviewer, before they begin the review process
- Paid to: The selected reviewer directly
- What you get:
- Thorough review of your application and supporting documents
- Expert assessment of your compliance with Level 2 standards
- Clarification requests and guidance during the review process
- Detailed feedback on areas of improvement (if needed)
- Submission of review results to ZDHC
Remember:
- The ZDHC fee is a one-time payment for each certification attempt, regardless of the outcome.
- You get one additional attempt without repaying the ZDHC fee if your first application is unsuccessful.
- Reviewer fees may vary, so it's advisable to contact multiple approved reviewers to compare rates.
- All fees are investments in your company's sustainable future and can lead to improved practices, regardless of the certification outcome.