For construction suppliers navigating the complex landscape of health and safety compliance, the traditional approach of completing multiple, often repetitive, pre-qualification assessments have long been a source of frustration and inefficiency. However, a powerful solution exists: SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) certification, particularly through its groundbreaking principle of Mutual Recognition. This innovative system allows suppliers to simplify their compliance efforts, save significant time and money, and focus on what truly matters – delivering safe and quality work.
The Power of “Deem to Satisfy”
The core benefit of SSIP for suppliers lies in its unique “Deem to Satisfy” process. Once a supplier achieves approval from one SSIP Member Scheme, they are never required to undergo a full assessment with another. This revolutionary approach is underpinned by SSIP’s strict Core Criteria, which are consistently applied across all Member Schemes.
What this means in practice is profound: if a buyer or client requires you to register with their preferred SSIP scheme, your existing certification can be used to satisfy that requirement without the need for a full re-assessment. This eliminates the redundancy that has historically plagued the industry, allowing for a much more streamlined and efficient compliance journey.
A “Deem to Satisfy” Certificate recognises your existing SSIP member certification and fully aligning with the originating assessment – scope, trade and expiry date.
Tangible Benefits for Suppliers
The advantages of SSIP’s Mutual Recognition are far-reaching:
- Operate to the Highest Health and Safety Standards: By achieving SSIP certification, suppliers demonstrate a commitment to rigorous health and safety standards, aligning their operations with industry best practices and legal requirements.
- Save Time and Reduce Costs: The “Deem to Satisfy” principle directly translates into tangible savings. By avoiding duplicate assessments, businesses can dramatically cut down on the administrative time and financial expenditure associated with multiple pre-qualifications. In 2024 direct savings of over £5.5 million could be attributed to Deem to Satisfy Certificates.”
- Avoid Duplicate Assessments: This is the cornerstone of SSIP’s efficiency for suppliers. Once certified by one scheme, that approval is recognised by all other SSIP Registered Member Schemes, freeing up resources that would otherwise be spent on redundant paperwork.
- Enhanced Value through CAS Exemption: SSIP certification offers an additional layer of value by being recognised as an exemption against Section 4 (Health and Safety) of the Build UK Common Assessment Standard (CAS). This further streamlines compliance efforts, particularly for those operating within the construction sector’s standardised assessment framework.
Choosing Your Ideal SSIP Member Scheme
Suppliers maintain the freedom to select the SSIP Member Scheme that best aligns with their specific business needs. When making this choice, key factors to consider include the scheme’s fees, the scope of its assessment, and whether it covers your particular duty holder role (e.g., Contractor, Designer). This flexibility ensures that the chosen scheme is a perfect fit for your operational requirements.
Navigating Requests for Different Schemes
Should a buyer request that you register with an SSIP scheme different from your current certification, there’s no cause for concern. The Mutual Recognition principle, through “Deem to Satisfy,” allows for a seamless recognition of your existing approval. This ensures that you avoid additional full assessments, continuing to save valuable time and money.
Beyond Compliance: Client Confidence and Smoother Collaboration
While third-party conformity assessments like SSIP are not a legal requirement, they represent industry best practice. Obtaining SSIP certification provides clients with invaluable confidence that suppliers meet essential competence standards. This independent verification paves the way for smoother project collaboration, fostering trust and efficiency within the supply chain.
For suppliers, SSIP certification simplifies the often-onerous prequalification process, allowing them to redirect their focus to what truly matters: delivering safe, high-quality work.
To explore the full range of benefits, search over 90,000 SSIP Certified Suppliers, or learn more about scheme registration and mutual recognition, visit the SSIP website today www.ssip.org.ok.
Eleanor Eaton SSIP Chair comments “ SSIP certification, through its Mutual Recognition and ‘Deem to Satisfy’ process, offers suppliers a smarter route to health and safety compliance. Once approved by one SSIP Member Scheme, that certification is recognised across all others – eliminating the need for costly, time-consuming duplicate assessments. This not only saves significant time and money but also boosts client confidence and supports smoother project collaboration. With over £80 million saved since 2016 through DTS alone, and overall savings to industry of £1,759 million SSIP empowers suppliers to operate to the highest standards while focusing on delivering safe, high-quality work. It’s compliance made efficient – without compromise.”
