SSIP is an umbrella organisation committed to reducing bureaucracy in the supply chain. All of our members support our Mission Statement and out Corporate Values. The SSIP forum consists of Registered Members, Trade Association Members, Certification Body Members and Supporter Members.

All schemes provide an assessment against the same criteria – the SSIP core criteria. All assessments are equal therefore when choosing a scheme to complete your assessment you should bear the following in mind: Has a client / buyer specified a scheme – if a client has requested you hold certification with a specific scheme it is often the easiest route to hold full assessment with that scheme. If however you are required to hold registration with numerous schemes you can simply select from all of our members and find the most relevant scheme. Once a full assessment is in place you will be able to register with other schemes using the Deem to Satisfy (mutual recognition) route.

The core H&S Assessment offered by all member schemes are equal. Some schemes offer extended products covering requirements of PAS91 or the Common Assessment Standard which are outside of health and safety. There is no need to upgrade to additional services if you only need a H&S assessment. As a small contractor all member schemes will access your application using a proportionate approach; this approach ensures the assessment is relevant to the size of your company and nature of works undertaken.

Although all SSIP member scheme assessments are equal we understand that some Buyers like to work with certain schemes and may use a specific scheme to manage their supply chain. We would advise Suppliers to speak to the Buyer advising certification with an existing SSIP member scheme is already held and request the Buyer recognise the existing assessment in place. We provide a template letter, which can be downloaded from the SSIP Website, called Model Letter to Buyers to assist with this. Alternatively, you can apply to the second scheme using the Deem to Satisfy (Mutual Recognition) route enabling your full assessment to be recognised. See https://ssip.org.uk/ssip-deem-to-satisfy-chart/ for further details.

Your client may not be aware of SSIP or that all assessments by member schemes are equal. We would recommend either sharing the Model Letter for Buyers with your client (see our home page) or alternatively liaising with your client and advising you already hold certification with an SSIP member scheme which can be validated via the SSIP Portal www.ssip.portal.org.

All of our members have different pricing structures based upon services provided and supplementary membership packages. Please note a full H&S Assessment completed by all member schemes is completed against the same threshold standard (our Core Criteria) therefore all assessments are equal and all assessments are detailed on the SSIP Portal.

In all instances we recommend reviewing our list of member schemes to determine the scheme most appropriate able to carry out your assessment.

SSIP do not issue certificates to suppliers – if you have been asked for an SSIP certificate you need to select from our Registered Members to determine the appropriate scheme for your business. All Assessments undertaken by Registered Members are in line with the SSIP Core Criteria ensuring the same standards are assessed.

No. SSIP is the umbrella organisation for a number of assessment schemes. SSIP ensures that all member schemes assess to the same standard.

All SSIP members complete assessments based upon the SSIP Threshold Standard (the SSIP Core Criteria) and all assessments visible on the SSIP portal are equivalent to one another. ALL assessments undertaken by ALL of our member schemes are equivalent therefore it is not required to detail the ‘originating’ member scheme on the portal.

SSIP are committed to ensuring reduction in health and safety assessment costs and bureaucracy in the supply chain, by making cross-recognition between member schemes as effective as possible. We aim to resolve any complaint we receive in a fair and impartial manner. Please see https://ssip.org.uk/complaints/ for further information.

The portal is not designed as a contractor search engine; it is designed simply to identify and verify that a company of a certain name has been successfully assessed and approved by a SSIP member scheme against SSIP Core Criteria H&S questions.

PQQ assessments take time and need to be carried out consistently. SSIP Member schemes require that assessors are appropriately trained and have the necessary experience so SSIP assessments are performed consistently, and to a widely accepted standard. By accepting an SSIP assessment certificate, you can use your resources for essential activity such as making project-specific health and safety enquiries.

No. The Assessment covered by our member schemes cover health and safety to ensure compliance with UK H&S Law. We would advise you accept an SSIP certificate as evidence that a supplier has met the H&S section of your questions, and then ask your own additional questions (if required). Some member schemes offer additional products covering PAS91 or the Common Assessment Standard (BuildUK CAS) Compliance.

Yes, but as these companies are not bound by, or audited against, the SSIP Rules and Bylaws it may be difficult to assess the value of what they provide.

We offer SSIP Supporter Membership to interested parties who wish to support the SSIP aims, objectives and ethos, such as major contractors, clients and Trade Associations. Supporter membership may also be offered at the discretion of the SSIP Board of Directors to other expert interested parties or organisations that can contribute to promoting, improving or enhancing health and safety competence in procurement. Supporter membership is free so if you are interested please get in touch!

No. SSIP is a membership forum and CHAS are one of our Registered Members.

No. The ISO 45001 Certification Body must be an SSIP Member accredited by UKAS registration (or equivalent), holding the SSIP Sector Scheme approval. If you hold ISO45001 and aren’t visible on the SSIP Portal speak to your Certification Body and ask them about SSIP.

SSIP have made presentation to IOSH regional meetings, Constructionline Meet the Buyer events and regularly discuss the benefits with potential stakeholders – We are always happy to spread the message of mutual recognition and the cost savings that provides for Contractors and buyers alike.