How do I get a CHAS certificate? A practical guide to CHAS accreditation

The good news is that many organisations already have much of what they need. The challenge is usually understanding the assessment requirements, identifying gaps and presenting evidence in the correct way.

What is a CHAS certificate?

A CHAS certificate demonstrates that an organisation has successfully completed a CHAS assessment and met the requirements of the scheme.

CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) is one of the UK’s most widely recognised contractor assessment schemes and is commonly used across construction, infrastructure, facilities management and related sectors.

It allows clients and procurement teams to assess whether suppliers have appropriate arrangements in place for managing health and safety, competence and wider business risks.

For many organisations, becoming CHAS accredited helps satisfy supplier pre-qualification requirements and demonstrates commitment to recognised industry standards.

Gaining and maintaining a CHAS certificate

Step 1: Identify which level of CHAS accreditation you need

CHAS currently offers three levels of accreditation:

• CHAS Standard
• CHAS Advanced
• CHAS Elite

The appropriate level will depend on the requirements of your clients and the type of work you undertake.

For example, one client may only require CHAS Standard, while another may request Advanced or Elite as part of a tender process. Understanding this at the outset helps avoid unnecessary work and ensures you are pursuing the right level of accreditation.

Step 2: Review your existing documentation

Many organisations assume they need to start from scratch.

In reality, most businesses already have a significant amount of the evidence required for a CHAS assessment.

This may include:

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

The first step is reviewing what already exists and identifying where information is missing, incomplete or out of date.

Step 3: Address any gaps

Once existing documentation has been reviewed, any gaps can be addressed.

This may involve:

• Updating policies
• Creating missing procedures
• Refreshing training records
• Clarifying responsibilities
• Improving risk management documentation

A common misconception is that ISO certification automatically satisfies CHAS requirements. While standards such as ISO 9001 or ISO 45001 can provide a strong foundation, CHAS has its own assessment criteria and evidence requirements which still need to be met.

An important caveat is that ISO 45001 holders may be eligible for the Deem to Satisfy route. This is a mutual recognition mechanism operated by SSIP that allows organisations already assessed by one member scheme to register with another, including CHAS, without repeating the full assessment process.

Step 4: Complete the assessment

The CHAS assessment is primarily completed online. Organisations submit information and supporting evidence demonstrating that appropriate arrangements are in place – the exact requirements will vary depending on the level of accreditation being pursued. Assessors review the submission and may request clarification or additional information before approval is granted.

Step 5: Maintain your accreditation

Receiving a CHAS certificate is not the end of the process.

Organisations are expected to maintain their systems, keep documentation current and continue demonstrating compliance with scheme requirements.

This includes:

• Reviewing policies regularly
• Maintaining training records
• Updating risk assessments
• Monitoring health and safety arrangements
• Preparing for annual renewal activity

Organisations that keep their documentation up to date throughout the year generally find renewal far more straightforward.

Common mistakes when applying for CHAS accreditation

Several issues arise repeatedly during the application process.

These include:

• Submitting outdated documentation
• Providing incomplete training records
• Assuming existing certifications cover all requirements
• Failing to evidence how policies are applied in practice
• Pursuing the wrong level of accreditation

In many cases, organisations have the necessary arrangements in place but struggle to present them in a way that satisfies assessment requirements.

How JVR Consultancy can help

JVR Consultancy supports organisations throughout the CHAS accreditation process.

This includes:

• Gap analysis and readiness reviews
• Documentation development
• Evidence gathering and review
• Application support
• Assessment preparation
• Ongoing compliance support

Our approach focuses on helping organisations build on what they already have, ensuring submissions are accurate, proportionate and aligned with CHAS requirements.

Obtaining a CHAS certificate is often less about creating entirely new systems and more about demonstrating that existing arrangements meet the requirements of the scheme.

By understanding what assessors are looking for, addressing any gaps and preparing evidence properly, organisations can approach CHAS accreditation with greater confidence and a clearer route to success.