'Kleurkeur should not be a box to tick in a tender specification, but a tool for better ecological management'

ARTICLE

POLICY & LEGAL

Heleen Kommers, Tuesday 27 October 2026

133 sec

What benefits does Kleurkeur offer the green sector?

More and more clients are focusing on biodiversity and the ecological management of public green spaces. One of the tools available is Kleurkeur. Kleurkeur is part of Groenkeur, the certification scheme managed by Stichting Groene Erkenningen (SGE). Kleurkeur covers two areas: Kleurkeur Groen for the ecological management of verges, dykes and green strips, and Kleurkeur Blauw for banks and waterways. The guidelines provide practical guidance for ecological management while also offering clarity to clients and contractors.

Dick Oosthoek (Image courtesy of Dick Oosthoek)

Groenkeur includes various certification schemes for companies, products and professionals in the green sector. Within this framework, Kleurkeur is an additional certification, known as an add-on to the BRL Groenvoorziening certification scheme, specifically aimed at ecological management. Companies can obtain certification for Kleurkeur Groen, Kleurkeur Blauw or both.

A more consistent approach to ecological management

An increasing number of clients require Kleurkeur certification, including organisations such as the Dutch Central Government Real Estate Agency and regional water authorities. In many places, it has become an established part of discussions about ecological management. The guidelines describe how maintenance activities can be carried out with consideration for flora, fauna and biodiversity development. Dick Oosthoek, director of Stichting Groene Erkenningen, explains: 'Through Kleurkeur, Groenkeur aims to contribute to a more consistent approach to ecological management and better alignment between policy and implementation. Above all, we want to make things easier for clients. Kleurkeur provides a standardised set of guidelines. Companies are assessed in advance to establish whether they can meet the requirements.'

'The challenge for the coming years is not so much to introduce more rules, but to improve knowledge of the guidelines among both clients and contractors'

Added value in practice

But how do companies themselves view Kleurkeur? Do the guidelines help them carry out ecological management? Does certification offer advantages in tenders or in their relationships with clients? And what benefits do companies see for the sector as a whole? Stad + Groen asked Robin Castelijn, director of Wallaard Groen, about his experiences.

Robin Castelijn

'We are positive about Kleurkeur. Clear guidelines for ecological management help the sector move forward and provide a common basis for clients and contractors. In my view, the strength of Groenkeur's guidelines is that they focus not only on biodiversity but also on what is practically achievable.'

'We regularly see clients specifying Kleurkeur without fully understanding its content or the thinking behind it'

An important point to consider

Castelijn continues: 'At the same time, this highlights an important issue. We regularly see clients specifying Kleurkeur without fully understanding its content or the thinking behind it. This can sometimes create the impression that all public green spaces can simply be managed ecologically, without exception. In practice, things are not that straightforward.'
Ecological management requires professional expertise and constant judgement. Biodiversity is important, but maintenance must also remain practical and safe. 'The safety of our employees and other users of public spaces must never be compromised simply to achieve an ecological objective at all costs. In our view, Kleurkeur provides sufficient flexibility to make these decisions responsibly.'

More than a box-ticking exercise

'The challenge for the coming years is therefore not so much to introduce more rules, but to improve knowledge of the guidelines among both clients and contractors. That way, Kleurkeur will not simply become a box to tick in a tender specification, but a genuine tool for better ecological management,' Castelijn concludes.
'Many clients have also completed the Kleurkeur training course themselves. As Castelijn points out, Kleurkeur requires ongoing discussions about what is practically achievable. That is why it is helpful when clients have enough knowledge to participate meaningfully in those discussions,' adds Dick Oosthoek, director of Groenkeur.

'Ecological management requires professional expertise and constant judgement. Biodiversity is important, but maintenance must remain practical and safe'

Certified companies, certified mowing machines and certified operators can be found in the registers on Groenkeur.nl.

This article was previously published on 26 October 2026 on the website of Stad + Groen.

Stichting Groene Erkennin...

Wallaard Groenvoorziening

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