PSO 30+ Certificate

Social entrepreneurship

PSO Nederland has awarded Gispen the PSO 30+ certificate; the highest achievable certification in the field of social entrepreneurship. The PSO (Performance Ladder for Social Entrepreneurship) measures the extent to which organisations offer employment to vulnerable groups in the labour market. For years, Gispen has been working according to the Social Return principle, which promotes employment for people who are distanced from the labour market. In addition, Gispen encourages social entrepreneurship among its own partners, suppliers and customers.

Reward for efforts

The Performance Ladder for Social Entrepreneurship is TNO's measuring instrument and quality mark that objectively measures and makes visible the degree of social entrepreneurship. Together with Royal Ahrend, Gispen is part of the first major industrial organisation to obtain this certificate.

We are extremely proud to have obtained this certificate: a reward for our efforts. In addition to circular entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship is an important pillar for our company. We also encourage our partners, suppliers and customers to do business in a social way. Integrated chain cooperation ultimately leads to the best results.

Maurits van Berckel Commercial Director Gispen

Social return

Gispen has been working according to the Social Return principle for its returns since 2013. In doing so, we deploy people with a distance to the labor market who cannot find work without reintegration support. For example, for revitalizing, repairing and reupholstering furniture. We have done this for assignments for the UMCU, the Municipality of Hengelo and various educational projects.

What does the PSO 30+ certificate stand for?

TNO and PSO-Nederland, in close cooperation with the market, have (further) developed the PSO in accordance with the latest scientific insights since 2010. The PSO has now become the national standard for social entrepreneurship. The aim is to increase the employment of people with a distance to the labour market at various types of employers: from SMEs to multinationals and from bakers to accountancy firms. In addition, PSO encourages their guidance to be provided in a qualitative and sustainable manner. Companies with this certificate also encourage their suppliers to do business in a social way; A domino effect for social entrepreneurship.

The PSO 30+ certificate recognizes organizations that meet the quantitative requirements of Article 2.82 of the Public Procurement Act. Contracting authorities can choose to reserve procurement procedures for so-called 'social' companies that meet the conditions of this section of the law. Gispen meets all the criteria.

In concrete terms, this means that every company that places an order with Gispen for €1,000,000 gives about 1.0 FTE with a distance to the labour market a place in society for a whole year.

Social entrepreneurship across the board

Propagating its own principles across the board is important to Gispen. In our policy statement, we set the following goal: 'To create a culture based on the principles of sustainability that improves the lives and living environments of all stakeholders. From employees, partners, suppliers and customers to investors, knowledge institutions and communities.' Gispen selects suppliers on the basis of its own CSR criteria.

Presentation of the certificate

In 2026, after a successful audit, we were recertified for the PSO 30+ certificate, the highest recognition on the Performance Ladder for Social Entrepreneurship.

PSO 30+ - Certification

PSO - Step 3 - Certification