CHAS Accreditation Support

Why organisations seek CHAS accreditation

In many cases, organisations pursue CHAS accreditation because it is required by a client, framework or procurement process. Buyers often use CHAS to help assess suppliers before inviting them to tender or undertake work.

Holding CHAS accreditation can therefore help organisations demonstrate that they meet recognised standards and simplify parts of the pre-qualification process. It’s widely recognised across the UK construction and infrastructure sectors, making it one of the most commonly requested contractor assessment schemes.

How the CHAS assessment works

The CHAS assessment is primarily an online process based around the submission of documentation and supporting evidence. Organisations are required to demonstrate that they have appropriate arrangements in place for managing health and safety and other relevant business processes.

Typical evidence may include:

• Health and safety policies
• Risk assessments and method statements (RAMS)
• Training and competence records
• Toolbox talks
• Inspection records
• Insurance documentation
• Organisational responsibilities

The complexity of the assessment will often depend on the type of work being undertaken and the requirements of the organisations you intend to work for.

CHAS and SSIP explained

CHAS is a member of SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement).

SSIP provides a common framework for assessing health and safety competence across a range of contractor assessment schemes, which means that some elements of a CHAS assessment may be recognised by other SSIP member schemes.

However, organisations should be aware that individual schemes often include their own additional requirements, meaning further evidence may still be required when applying elsewhere.

Why organisations struggle with CHAS

A common misconception is that existing policies or ISO certifications automatically satisfy CHAS requirements.

While these can provide a strong foundation, CHAS has its own assessment criteria and evidence expectations.

• Common challenges include:
• Missing or outdated documentation
• Incomplete competence records
• Gaps in training evidence
• Inconsistent risk management procedures
• Difficulty understanding assessment requirements

In many cases, organisations have much of what they need already, but struggle to present it in a way that meets assessment expectations.

How JVR Consultancy supports the process

Our role is to help organisations understand what is required and prepare effectively.

Support typically includes:

Gap analysis

We review existing arrangements and identify areas requiring improvement before submission.

Documentation development

Where evidence is missing, we help create the policies, procedures and supporting documentation required.

Assessment support

We guide organisations through the CHAS assessment process, helping ensure submissions are accurate, complete and aligned with requirements.

Ongoing compliance

We support businesses with annual renewals and reviews to help maintain CHAS accredited status over time.

Maintaining CHAS accreditation

CHAS accreditation is not a one-off exercise.

Organisations are expected to maintain appropriate systems, keep documentation up to date and demonstrate ongoing compliance with assessment requirements.

This includes:

• Reviewing policies regularly
• Maintaining competence records
• Updating training information
• Monitoring health and safety arrangements
• Keeping evidence current
• Organisations that treat compliance as an ongoing process generally find renewals significantly easier to manage.

How JVR Consultancy can help

Whether you are applying for CHAS accreditation for the first time, preparing for a CHAS assessment or renewing an existing certification, JVR Consultancy provides practical support tailored to your organisation.

If you would like to discuss your requirements or assess your readiness for CHAS accreditation, our consultants are available to help.