Buyers citing SSIP certification when withholding payment*

SSIP was founded in May 2009 to support simple and strategic procurement within the supply chain. Supported by the HSE, SSIP aims to streamline prequalification and encourage straightforward mutual recognition between its Member Schemes.

Assessments completed by our member schemes, as verified by the SSIP Portal, demonstrate that they have successfully achieved the requirements of the SSIP Core Criteria to support pre-qualification stage** health and safety capability assessments.

We would urge all clients and buyers to recognise that the if a supplier held a valid certificate on the date the work was undertaken, and payment should not be withheld. Furthermore, SSIP will be able to verify that a certificate was in place on a given date, if required.

*The Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 states
Every contract for 45 days or more must provide for an adequate mechanism by which the parties can determine what payment becomes due and when for interim payments.

**HSE ACOP: Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 guidance states:
Appointment of designers and contractors
Anyone appointing a designer or contractor to work on a project must take reasonable steps to satisfy themselves that those who will carry out the work have the skills, knowledge, experience, and, where they are an organisation, the organisational capability to carry out the work in a way that secures health and safety. Reasonable steps will depend on the complexity of the project and the range and nature of the risks involved.