What is CHAS Accreditation?

What CHAS accreditation means

The CHAS accreditation scheme is like a pre-qualification tool that can be used in the tender process. Pre-qualification just means proving you work safely and run your business properly before a client will consider you for a job. Some clients will demand that the contractor be CHAS accredited before an application can be made to tender.

CHAS is an SSIP scheme. SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) is the group of recognised health and safety schemes, CHAS and SMAS among them, that accept each other's assessments.

CHAS: the UK's leading accreditation scheme

CHAS is the industry-leading accreditation company for health and safety in the procurement sector.

Here are some of the benefits of becoming CHAS accredited:

Simplify the accreditation process

CHAS membership simplifies the process of contractor accreditation. At the top level, CHAS Elite, your business can demonstrate compliance in as many as 13 areas of risk management through one single assessment. No need for multiple accreditations, tests and endless paperwork: CHAS puts everything in one place.

Connecting contractors to clients

CHAS matches contractors with clients who are looking for pre-qualified compliance. Contracting companies can use their CHAS membership to help land more contracts, securing more work opportunities. After CHAS accreditation, you're also listed where CHAS clients look for compliant contractors.

Get free support, legal advice and business resources

CHAS members get access to a range of benefits that can help scale their business. From a free legal helpline to CHAS Business Shield support (free advice on health and safety, environment and more), these can help contractors land more work opportunities.

The three CHAS levels

There are three levels of CHAS accreditation. Your client will usually tell you which one they want.

CHAS Standard: the entry level. It's an SSIP accreditation: the basic health and safety accreditation most main contractors ask for.
CHAS Advanced: SSIP plus PAS 91. Everything in Standard, plus PAS 91, the standard set of pre-qualification questions many clients use. It shows you're compliant in other key areas beyond health and safety, like environmental, quality and equality.
CHAS Elite: the top level. It meets CAS, the Common Assessment Standard: the standard public sector clients and many large main contractors ask for, covering 13 areas of risk management. You need it for public sector work. There's no site visit; it's all done from your documents.

How can Workplace Safety Group help with CHAS accreditation?

Workplace Safety Group can help contractors with the process of CHAS application support. We take the stress out of the application, leaving you time to focus on running your business. As an authorised CHAS affiliate, we offer:

Money-back guarantee: if we are not able to help you get CHAS accredited, we'll refund 100% of the money you paid to us (terms apply). But we have a 100% success rate on all applications, so we're sure this won't happen!
Quick turnaround: once we have all the information we need from you, we aim to have your CHAS application submitted within 2 to 3 working days, and it's often sooner. You'll be CHAS accredited in no time.
Free fast-track for new members: if you're new to CHAS, CHAS assesses your application in 2 working days instead of the usual 10.
Save time and money: the cost of our CHAS application support (£395 to £1,095 +VAT, CHAS membership fee paid to CHAS on top) is significantly outweighed by the time savings you make. Going through the process in-house is incredibly time-consuming, so leave it to us.

If you want to speak to us about CHAS application support, just get in touch. You can call us on 03333 208568 or request a call back.

FAQs

What does CHAS stand for?

CHAS stands for the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme. It's a health and safety accreditation many clients ask contractors to hold before they can tender or start work.

Is CHAS a legal requirement?

No. But in practice, if a client asks for CHAS before you can tender or start work, you'll need it to win that job.

Which CHAS level do I need?

Go with what your client asks for. Standard is the entry level (SSIP). Advanced adds PAS 91, the standard pre-qualification questions. Elite meets CAS, the Common Assessment Standard, and you need it for public sector work. Not sure? Request a call back and we'll tell you.

Does CHAS Elite need a site visit?

No. CHAS Elite meets the Common Assessment Standard (CAS), and there's no site visit. It's all assessed from your documents.

How much does CHAS application help cost?

There are two parts. Our CHAS application help costs £395 to £1,095 +VAT, depending on your level and team size (get your instant quote for your exact price). Your CHAS membership fee is separate: it's set by CHAS and you pay it to CHAS directly.