DEKRA Audit Netherlands
What are the benefits to certifying against the HKZ Small Organizations standard?
DEKRA Audit Netherlands
What are the benefits to certifying against the HKZ Small Organizations standard?
HKZ Small Organizations
One HKZ standard designed specifically for smaller care and welfare organizations
HKZ Small Organizations is a specific quality standard developed by HKZ (Harmonization of Quality Assessment in the Healthcare Sector) for small-scale care and welfare institutions. With this certification, you demonstrate that your organization meets professional quality standards and is continuously working on improvement. Whether your organization operates under the Long-Term Care Act (WLZ), the Social Support Act (Wmo), or in another healthcare sector, an HKZ certificate proves that your quality is in order — and stays that way.
Who is HKZ Small Organizations for?
As the name
HKZ
Small Organizations suggests, this standard is intended for care and welfare organizations that want to implement and secure quality management, but do not have the size and complexity of larger institutions. This certification was specifically developed for:
- Small healthcare providers such as independent treatment centers, solo practitioners, and small-scale care facilities.
- Care and welfare organizations with limited staff, up to a maximum of 10 FTEs.
- Care entrepreneurs seeking a quality label to demonstrate their professionalism and reliability.
- Organizations without complex management structures, where quality management must be simple and practically applicable.
Continuous learning and improvement
The HKZ Small Organizations certification scheme helps identify risks clearly at both organizational and process levels. This enables you to implement improvements effectively — without unnecessary administrative burden. The standard is specifically tailored to the healthcare sector, with extra attention to the unique characteristics of small care institutions. As a result, HKZ Small Organizations aligns perfectly with current themes such as:
✅ Client self-direction
✅ Collaboration with chain partners
✅ Shared decision-making (patient participation)
✅ Collaboration with chain partners
✅ Shared decision-making (patient participation)
Moreover, an increasing number of clients — including insurers and government bodies — require HKZ certification. The greatest benefit? It encourages a culture of continuous learning and improvement, making your organization stronger and future-ready.
The certification process at DEKRA
The certification process with DEKRA consists of the following steps:
1. Process explanation – Introduction and overview of the certification requirements
2. Quotation request, offer & order confirmation – Transparent agreements and clear planning
3. Audit planning – Preparation for the certification audit
4. Initial certification audit (phase 1 and 2) – Assessment of your organization based on the HKZ Small Organizations standard
5. Processing, reporting & review – Evaluation of the audit report and results (four-eyes principle)
6. Certificate – Upon a positive outcome, you receive a certificate valid for three years
7. Follow-up audits – Annual audits to ensure continued quality compliance
2. Quotation request, offer & order confirmation – Transparent agreements and clear planning
3. Audit planning – Preparation for the certification audit
4. Initial certification audit (phase 1 and 2) – Assessment of your organization based on the HKZ Small Organizations standard
5. Processing, reporting & review – Evaluation of the audit report and results (four-eyes principle)
6. Certificate – Upon a positive outcome, you receive a certificate valid for three years
7. Follow-up audits – Annual audits to ensure continued quality compliance
Read more about the full process of
management system and process certification
. With DEKRA as your certification partner, you choose an expert and practical approach. Contact us today and take the step towards a strong, future-proof organization.