EMLog Certification
General Information
The Certification of the European Logistics Association (ELA) recognizes the professional competence of logistics professionals at three different levels of management, through the EJLog, ESLog, and EMLog Certificates. With the third and highest-level certificate, ELA offers senior executives with significant experience in Supply Chain Project Management the opportunity to be certified at a Strategic Management level by providing the “European Master Logistician” or “EMLog Certification”.
Download and complete the EMLog certification application form below:
The EMLog Certification is based on the ELAQF standards of the European Logistics Association, which correspond to level 7 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).
It is the flagship of the ELA Certification system and requires a high-level assessment of the candidate’s qualifications and professional competence.
The EMLog Certification assessment focuses on the full range of qualifications—knowledge, skills, and competencies—that demonstrate the candidate’s ability to manage strategically significant Supply Chain projects for any business or organization. Therefore, the evaluation of the candidate’s academic background in combination with their professional profile is of primary importance.
Regarding the candidate’s profile, in addition to formal qualifications—such as a degree or postgraduate diploma—the following key prerequisites are also assessed:
- Many years of professional experience in senior managerial positions, including Supply Chain Management.
- Documented responsibility for managing a strategically significant supply chain project, setting and achieving objectives through effective leadership—it is important that the results of implementation are tangible.
- Knowledge and experience across all supply chain functions, as well as expertise in areas essential for project management, such as finance, cost control, and human resource management.
The assessment is completed through the development of a dissertation and its submission as a written report, which is evaluated as a document and subsequently defended in an oral examination. The dissertation is a research-based project that addresses a real, practical supply chain problem of strategic importance to an organization.
Evaluation Process
Phase A
Submission of the application form (“EMLog_Application”) by the interested candidate to ILME for EMLog certification, including:
- A detailed CV and certificates (degrees, postgraduate diplomas, work experience confirmation) proving both the formal qualifications and the candidate’s professional experience. Required qualifications include:
- Work Experience: At least 10 years of experience in senior management positions, including in the field of Supply Chain Management, along with participation in one or more strategic supply chain projects in a management role.
- Education: Undergraduate studies ideally combined with one of the following:
- ESLog certification (ELAQF level 6) with attendance of training for the two modules not included in the ESLog certificate, with confirmation from the training provider.
- A postgraduate degree in fields such as Management, Supply Chain/Operations/Services, or an MBA.
- Advanced evaluated specialization seminars (Masterclasses) based on ELAQF level 7 standards covering all modules.
- A summary (300–500 words) of the Supply Chain project to be used as the basis for the EMLog assessment thesis, including:
- The title, objective, and significance of the project
- The candidate’s role in the project
- The methodology and critical implementation points
- The results/conclusions/recommendations
Phase A concludes with a completeness check, acceptance of the application, and scheduling of Phase B.
Phase B
Once the application is accepted, an interview is scheduled between the assessment committee and the candidate with the goals of:
- Getting to know the candidate
- Evaluating the candidate’s overall profile—both professional and academic
- Discussing the project based on the submitted summary
- Accepting or rejecting the candidacy
- Setting the time frame for thesis preparation and project presentation (maximum of 6 months)
- Scheduling the project presentation
During the interview, guidelines are given for both the structure of the written thesis and the oral presentation.
Phase C
Completion of the written thesis by the candidate and preparation of the related oral presentation within the agreed time frame. The written thesis must include the project’s goal, significance/innovation/originality, implementation and management methodology (including references to technology/digitization/automation), analysis of key actions/processes/resources required, results/conclusions in terms of economic performance, sustainability, and resilience, as well as future recommendations for improving related business or organizational performance. The project must align with ELAQF standards for EMLog (EQF LV 7).
Phase D
Submission of the written thesis to the Evaluation Committee.
Written Thesis Evaluation Criteria
- Evaluated according to ELAQF standards for the EMLog level. All modules are mandatory, each requiring a minimum passing grade of 60%.
- Suggested grading criteria per module: Innovation/Originality (10%), Structure/Documentation/Analysis (60%), Clarity/Expression (10%), Presentation/Overall Quality (20%).
Phase E
Oral defense of the thesis before the Evaluation Committee (maximum presentation time: 30 minutes), followed by an interview and questions. Total duration: up to one [1] hour.
Presentation Evaluation Criteria
- Evaluated according to ELAQF standards for the EMLog level. All modules are mandatory, each requiring a minimum passing grade of 60%.
- Suggested grading criteria per module: Presentation Structure (20%), Content (40%), Presentation/Overall Appearance (20%), Flow/Clarity of Speech (20%).
- Phase F
- Final module grade composition:
- 60% written report
- 40% oral presentation
Evaluation is considered successful if the candidate achieves a total score of at least 60% per module, with a minimum of 50% in either the written or oral part.
Examination Fees
The total participation fee for the EMLog certification is €800 (including VAT).
€300 is payable in Phase A, and the remaining €500 in Phase C (before thesis submission).
In case of failure, the candidate is entitled to one more attempt on the same project at a cost of €400, starting from Phase C (review of the written thesis) through Phase F.
Evaluation Committee
- Three-member committee consisting of:
- 1 academic representative (University Professor)
- 1 senior executive from a business/organization
- 1 ILME Board Member
Committee members must have no affiliation with the candidate or the candidate’s organization.
Clarifications
- EMLog certification requires a thesis that is a research project solving a real, practical Supply Chain problem of strategic importance to a company or public organization, concluding with improvement proposals to management. The project must already be completed, allowing the candidate to present actual outcomes derived from the implementation.
- Assessment follows the ELAQF standards for EMLog level (EQF LV7). All modules are mandatory at EMLog level. The topic must be approached holistically, considering its impact on the supply chain and the overall operation of the business.
- Both the written and oral thesis presentation may be conducted in either Greek or English.