The objective of the Approved Contractor Scheme is to raise performance standards and to assist the private security industry in developing new opportunities, while better serving customer needs.
The ACS was launched in March 2006 and there are now over 675 SIA approved contractors. Following recent developments on the future of regulation, the scheme is not expected to change from its current format at least until after the 2012 Olympics. It is anticipated that the ACS, or an equivalent, will continue beyond this date and any new arrangements will take account of the views of approved contractors and of purchasers of security services, many of whom specify that their suppliers must be SIA approved. Meanwhile, the ACS continues to provide an essential quality assurance tool for both security buyers and suppliers.
Your application will be reviewed against the following:
- SIA licensed staff. The required percentage of deployed staff must hold an appropriate SIA licence.
- Fit and proper organisation / management. We must be satisfied that the company seeking approval is a 'fit and proper' organisation. In addition to this, directors of the company must be considered 'fit and proper' persons and must not currently be disqualified from being directors. Known allegations against directors may need to be investigated before proceeding.
- Licensed directors. All licensable directors must hold a valid SIA licence or, in our view, have taken adequate steps to obtain one.
- Significant complaints. If there are significant concerns or complaints against your organisation or its senior management, these may have to be investigated further before proceeding.
- Self-assessment. The Self Assessment Workbook (if applicable) has been completed properly with justification provided for the self-assessment.
- Payment of the appropriate fees.
Information provided at the time of application will be made available to your selected assessing body for verification. This will include information about directors and the status of employee licensing.
We can assist you throughout the ACS application process - please consider this before seeking advice from third party consultants.
To maintain approval an approved contractor must re-register every year and renew approval every three years. The re-registration process requires re-verification visits from the chosen asssessing body.
Contact Us
If you have any enquiries regarding the ACS please send us an e-mail or write to us at:
Approved Contractor Scheme,
Security Industry Authority,
PO Box 49768,
London,
WC1V 6WY.
How to Become an Approved Contractor
More information is available in our 'How to Become an SIA Approved Contractor' booklet (download size: 1,458kb)
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