What European Logistics Association does

European Logistics Association (ELA) is a Belgian not-for-profit federation (VZW — Vereniging Zonder Winstoogmerk), founded in 1984 and headquartered in Brussels at Rue du Commerce 77. ELA operates as an umbrella body for approximately 30 national logistics associations, reaching an estimated 55,000+ logistics professionals across Europe and select international markets. Its core product is a four-tier professional certification framework aligned to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) — European Certified Logistician (ECLog, EQF Level 4), European Senior Logistician (ESLog, EQF Level 6), European Master Logistician (EMLog, EQF Level 7), and ELA Certified Trainer (ETLog) — delivered through a globally distributed network of accredited Certification Centres and Certified Training Providers, with cELog certificates also awarded through ELA-Accredited Degree Programmes at partner universities.

Underlying the certification system are the ELA Standards of Logistics Competence, a proprietary competency framework covering business principles, core management skills, customer service, demand management, sourcing/procurement, transportation, and warehousing. Beyond certification, ELA runs a recurring programme of events and research outputs: the annual ELA Global Supply Chain Excellence Awards, the EUROLOG congress, ELA Online webinars, the ELA Research Conference, the ELA Doctorate Workshop (sponsored by Kühne Foundation), and the European Supply Chain Risk Indicator (ESCRI) co-led with the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria and Lehigh University. ELA also participates in EU-funded projects such as LOGMASTER (joint master programme), LOGISMED-Training (Mediterranean logistics training), WIL Power (women in transport and logistics, Erasmus+), Framelog (Knowledge Triangle framework), and bestLog (DG TREN best-practice platform).

ELA's revenue model rests on three streams: recurring membership fees from the ~30 national association members, recurring certification fees routed through accredited Certification Centres (pricing kept local and not publicly disclosed), and one-time event fees from awards, conferences, and webinars. Distribution is federated: ELA does not sell directly to individual professionals but through its national member associations and accredited centres, with go-to-market executed via the elalog.eu website, newsletters, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and member-led events. Customer segments are horizontal — logistics and supply chain professionals, the national associations themselves, and the broader set of enterprises whose employees pursue ELA certification.

Name

European Logistics Association

Legal name

European Logistics Association VZW

Website

https://elalog.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

European Logistics Association is a Belgian non-profit federation of approximately 30 national logistics associations, founded in 1984, that delivers a four-tier professional certification framework (ECLog, ESLog, EMLog, ETLog) aligned to the European Qualifications Framework, plus awards, research, and EU co-funded education projects, reaching 55,000+ logistics professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Revenue generated through membership fees from national logistics associations that are members of ELA.
2. Certification Fees: Fees collected from individuals seeking ELA certifications (ECLog, ESLog, EMLog) through accredited Certification Centres.
3. Event Fees: Revenue from ELA Awards ceremonies, conferences (EUROLOG, ELA Online), and other events organized by the association.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

European Logistics Association (ELA) is a federation of national logistics associations that delivers an internationally recognised, EQF-aligned professional certification programme (ECLog, ESLog, EMLog, ETLog) for logistics and supply chain professionals. It also runs the annual ELA Global Supply Chain Excellence Awards, the EUROLOG congress, research conferences and doctorate workshops, ELA Online webinars, and tools such as the Mind The Gap skills assessment, distributed through its member associations, accredited Certification Centres, Certified Training Providers, and accredited degree programmes.

Product overview

European Logistics Association (ELA) operates as a federation of National Logistics Associations covering nearly all European countries and extending to other regions. The organization provides a multi-level professional certification framework aligned to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), consisting of four certification tiers: European Certified Logistician (ECLog) at EQF Level 4 for early-career professionals, European Senior Logistician (ESLog) at EQF Level 6 for mid-career managers, European Master Logistician (EMLog) at EQF Level 7 for senior executives, and ELA Certified Trainer (ETLog) for accreditation of training professionals. Supporting the certification ecosystem are ELA Accredited Degree Programmes that partner with universities, a network of Certified Training Providers delivering preparation courses, and Certification Centres conducting assessments globally. Beyond certification, ELA fosters research and knowledge exchange through the ELA Research Conference, annual Doctorate Workshop, European Supply Chain Risk Indicator (ESCRI) quarterly surveys, and ELA Online webinar series. The flagship ELA Global Supply Chain Excellence Awards celebrate excellence in logistics and supply chain management annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• European Certified Logistician (ECLog) Entry-level professional certification at EQF Level 4 for early-career logistics professionals. Assesses competencies in logistics operations, supervisory management, and core business principles through module examinations.
• European Senior Logistician (ESLog) Mid-career professional certification at EQF Level 6 for managers and consultants who plan, coordinate, and control different parts of the logistics network. Covers logistics design, process management, demand planning, and distribution management.
• European Master Logistician (EMLog) Strategic-level professional certification at EQF Level 7 for senior managers, directors, and experienced consultants. Recognises considerable experience in logistics management and strategic decision-making.
• ELA Certified Trainer (ETLog) Accreditation for trainers who deliver ELA certification programmes. Requires national trainer accreditation, ELA module certification, and portfolio demonstration of relevant experience.
• Mind The Gap Calculator Digital skills assessment tool enabling logistics professionals to evaluate their knowledge against ELA Standards requirements and identify competency gaps for professional development.
• ELA Global Supply Chain Excellence Awards Annual awards programme celebrating Europe's best logistics and supply chain projects. Combines an international Supply Chain Summit with a prestigious evening awards ceremony, featuring networking with decision-makers from business, politics, and science.
• ELA Research Conference Annual academic conference providing a platform for dissemination of scientific research in logistics and supply chain management, held in conjunction with ELA's international congress.
• ELA Doctorate Workshop Annual workshop for doctoral students conducting research in logistics and supply chain management, sponsored by Kühne Foundation. Participants can earn 3 ECTS credits.
• European Supply Chain Risk Indicator (ESCRI) Quarterly survey providing overview of supply chain risk assessments across Europe. Joint initiative with University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (Logistikum) and Lehigh University Centre for Supply Chain Research.
• EUROLOG Congress Annual international congress of ELA promoting dialogue between national member organisations. Features renowned speakers from European industrial, trading, and service companies discussing trends and best practices.
• ELA Online Webinar Series Series of online events in English hosted by ELA member organisations on practical logistics and supply chain topics, enabling cross-border networking and knowledge exchange.
• ELA Certified Training Providers Network Globally distributed network of accredited training providers delivering ELA certification preparation courses in in-person, online, and hybrid learning formats.
• ELA Accredited Degree Programmes University degree programmes accredited by ELA, entitling students to receive cELog Certificates at EQF Level 4 or 6 upon completion. Covers bachelor's and master's level programmes across Europe and internationally.
• ELA Certification Centres Accredited organisations across multiple countries responsible for assessing candidates against ELA Standards. Operates in regions including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Latin America.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 12,000 certificate holders worldwide in 25+ years of operation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• VNL Austria (Verein Netzwerk Logistik Austria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational logistics association member of ELA, representing Austria. Hosted the ELA Awards 2025 ceremony in Vienna in collaboration with VNL Austria and ASCii. Organises logistics events and conferences including Logistics Forum Graz and International Supply Chain Community Meeting.
• BGL Germany (Bundesvereinigung Logistik)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational logistics association representing Germany. BGL Germany nominates jury members and submits award entries including Dachser & Fraunhofer IML project (2025 winner).
• France Supply Chain by AslogcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational logistics association representing France. Hosts ELA-related events including the ELA Awards 2023 in Paris. Conducting Resilience Observatory surveys and Technology Trends Barometer studies.
• LOGY FinlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational logistics association representing Finland. Organises LOGY Conference annually and participates in ELA events and governance.
• CEL Spain (Centro Español de Logística)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational logistics association representing Spain. Submits award entries including BLOWIND superconducting megawatt charging system project for 2026 awards.
• CLA Czech Republic (Czech Logistics Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational logistics association representing Czech Republic. Hosts SpeedCHAIN International Logistics Conference and participates in ELA governance.
• SLA Slovenia (Slovenian Logistics Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational logistics association representing Slovenia. Submitted Pošta Slovenije & Solvesall delivery optimisation project for 2026 awards. Will host ELA Research Conference 2026.
• HILME GreececoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational logistics association representing Greece. Organises International Logistics Forum (ILF) and hosts ELA Doctorate Workshop 2024 at Athens University of Economics and Business.
• CILT Ireland (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Ireland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational logistics association representing Ireland. Hosts ELA Doctorate Workshop 2026 at TU Dublin and organizes Annual Dinner and Awards.
• APLOG PortugalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational logistics association representing Portugal. Organises 28th Congress in October 2026 and Cities & Logistics Conference.
• GS1 SwitzerlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStandards organization representing Switzerland with board representation on ELA Board through Jan Eberle.
• Federlogistica ItalycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian federation representing logistics, ports, interports, airports, warehousing and multimodal transport companies. Part of Conftrasporto Confcommercio Imprese per l'Italia.
• Kühne FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the annual ELA Doctorate Workshop, covering accommodation and meal expenses for invited doctoral students.
• University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (Logistikum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner co-leading the European Supply Chain Risk Indicator (ESCRI) initiative with ELA and Lehigh University.
• Lehigh University Centre for Supply Chain ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS academic partner co-leading the European Supply Chain Risk Indicator (ESCRI) initiative with ELA and University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria.
• Supply Chain Intelligence Institute Austria (ASCii)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in organizing the ELA Awards 2025 Global Supply Chain Excellence Event in Vienna.
• Logmaster Project PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINTERREG project including University of Craiova (Romania), University of Applied Sciences Austria, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Romanian Logistics Association, University of Lisbon, Heilbronn University, Catholic University of Sacro Cuore Italy. Project developed joint master programme for Supply Chain Management aligned to ELA standards.
• WIL Power Project PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ project including Polish Federation of Engineering Associations, Education Mobility Grid Germany, Pomeranian Academy Poland, Momentum Consulting Ireland, Canice Consulting Northern Ireland. Project develops training materials empowering women in transport and logistics.
• Framelog Project PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject including UNIPI University Pisa, EFFEBI Italy, AILOG Italy, Bulgarian Logistics Association, University of National and World Economy Bulgaria, UNITBV Romania. Develops European framework for Knowledge Triangle in logistics sector.
• bestLog Project PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Commission DG TREN funded project including Mettle Consulting, Istituto Tecnologico de Embalaje Spain, Oxford University Saïd Business School, University of St. Gallen, Chalmers University, Warsaw School of Economics, Reliant Czech Republic. Established Europe-wide logistics best practice platform.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCe_Sk9A-yKcs08zOaZULFJA
• Facebookfacebook.com/100064583056008
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/european-logistics-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about European Logistics Association