This article provides information about the application procedures and fees for ZDHC Approved Assessment Providers.
Familiarise yourself with this new approval by viewing the ZDHC Approved Assessment Provider - Overview article to have a full understanding before starting your application.
1. Application Procedure
Any organisation that would like to become a ZDHC Approved Assessment Provider must apply via the ZDHC Solution Provider Platform.
If you don’t have access to the Solution Provider Platform yet, register here.
Steps:
Log in to the Solution Provider Platform.
Complete or update the Organisation Profile and upload any supporting documents.
Fill in the ZDHC Assessment Provider Application.
Submit and pay the organisation application fee.
The application review will start, and you will be asked to provide any clarification if needed.
All communications regarding the approval status and requests for additional documents will take place exclusively in the Solution Provider Platform threads section. Any missing upload may delay the approval process.
If your application is accepted:
Sign a Master Agreement (if not previously signed) and a Service Order.
Submit and pay for the Lead assessor/reviewer CV application fee.
Submit and pay for all the other regular assessor/reviewer CVs application fees.
Once the selected services in the CV are approved, staff members are automatically invited to undergo training and qualification — no other nomination or action needed from you at this stage.
- Pay the yearly approval fee for all the active services.
- Provide the service/s
- Expand your service capacity by adding more CVs for new services
Submit more CVs to add assessors/reviewers and expand your service capacity. (additional submission and annual fee will apply)
2. Fee Structure
| Fee Category | Description | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | Organisational approval | EUR 1,750* per location |
| CV Approval | One service module e.g. StZ Assessment |
EUR 250* per CV |
| Every additional service module e.g. MMCF Module Review |
EUR 150* per CV | |
| Upgrade to Lead Assessor/Reviewer | EUR 150* per CV |
| Fee Category | Description | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly Fee | One service module (e.g. StZ Assessment) |
EUR 2,000* (for each location per year) |
| Every additional service module (e.g. MMCF Module Review) |
EUR 1,000* (for each location per year) |
NOTES:
Service Modules can be added progressively as organisations build capacity.
The annual fee increases per additional service module to reflect the expanded scope of services.
The annual fee is prorated for the first year (depending on when the application is approved).
*All fees are exclusive of VAT, and applications for organisation or CV approval are non-refundable upon application submission
3. Contract
Any organisation that becomes a ZDHC Approved Assessment Provider must sign a contract with ZDHC.
The contract duration is 4 years, and it ends when major changes are introduced to the ZDHC programme that materially affect approval requirements or assessment expectations.
The contract is renewed subject to performance review.
You can review the contract terms on the Solution Provider Platform before submitting the application.
4. Service Module Activation
An organisation becomes active for a service module once:
The Lead assessor/reviewer is approved and qualified for the service module
The applicable annual fee has been paid
Organisations may activate services progressively:
Start with one or multiple service modules at once if prepared to do so
Add additional service modules when assessors/reviewers and organisational capacity are ready
Annual fees for additional service modules are prorated from the activation date.
5. Lead assessor/reviewer Role
A Lead assessor/reviewer is the organisation’s responsible person for all assessors/reviewers for a specific service, and is the primary point of contact with ZDHC for clarifications and quality controls on ongoing or completed projects.
Only services with an approved, qualified Lead assessor/reviewer can be offered by your organisation.
If the Organisation loses its Lead assessor/reviewer, the service will be temporarily suspended until a new CV is submitted and approved for that specific service. The organisation shall nevertheless remain obligated to pay the minimum annual fee.