Eleanor Eaton, SSIP Chair, provides essential guidance for suppliers and contractors on SSIP compliance and highlights the advantages of the Deem to Satisfy (DtS) agreement for those that already hold certification.

SSIP, which stands for Safety Schemes in Procurement, is the only recognised standard for Health and Safety (H&S) in the UK.  Certification with SSIP members is designed to reduce duplication in occupational H&S assessments, saving suppliers significant costs over the past 13 years.

If a buyer has requested proof of an SSIP assessment, it’s because they want you to demonstrate the highest level of competence in health and safety.

SSIP is a commitment to your employees, clients, and partners that safety is not just a priority but a way of life for your business.

How do I choose the correct SSIP scheme?

A buyer may allow a supplier to register with any SSIP member scheme. This provides suppliers with the flexibility to choose the scheme that best suits their requirements. Suppliers should visit the websites of SSIP Member Schemes to gather information, ensuring that it aligns with their specific needs.

Please note that the assessments conducted by ALL member schemes cover the SAME threshold standard. This means that both suppliers and buyers can be confident that all schemes adhere to the same consistent standard, with no shortcuts or compromises.

Can a buyer request that I use a specific scheme?

Buyers often have established relationships with a member scheme for their entire supply chain. In such cases, SSIP has introduced a Deem to Satisfy (DtS) agreement for mutual (or non-mutual) recognition among all SSIP Members.

Under this DtS agreement, all registered members agree to accept a current, valid approval from any other registered Member, provided that all the correct details are displayed on the SSIP Portal. So, if you already hold an SSIP certificate with another member scheme, the member who has a scheme in place with a buyer will issue you certification through their scheme via the DtS agreement.

How long will an assessment take?

The duration of an assessment varies from scheme to scheme and depends on the supplier’s ability to provide all necessary documentation and information. Typically, schemes aim to complete their initial assessments within ten working days.

Providing peace of mind for buyers and suppliers

Currently, there are more than 81,500 suppliers registered with an SSIP Member Scheme.

Buyers can use the SSIP Portal to access and verify a supplier’s current certification with an SSIP member scheme.

It’s important to note that Supplier Assessment via an SSIP Member Scheme is limited to the prequalification stage, so buyers will also need to ensure that a supplier can meet project-specific site requirements.

To discover the right SSIP member scheme for your business, you can visit the members forum here: https://ssip.org.uk/members/

Publication date November 07 2023