Background

The Common Assessment Standard, developed by Build UK, has transformed the construction pre-qualification process, improving efficiency, reducing cost and raising quality standards.

Companies that have the Common Assessment Standard are certified once a year by a Recognised Assessment Body and this is accepted by a growing list of Contractors and Clients who no longer specify a particular assessment body. Central Government departments and wider public sector bodies should use the Common Assessment Standard to pre-qualify suppliers in accordance with PPN 03/24.

The Common Assessment Standard includes a Building Safety section, ensuring it can be used to demonstrate companies have the organisational capability to fulfil their roles under the Building Safety Act.

Common Assessment Standard

The Common Assessment Standard comprises an industry-agreed question set and corresponding assessment standards for the pre-qualification of suppliers.

There are two levels of certification: desktop and site-based. Companies apply to a Recognised Assessment Body for the certification level that is most appropriate for their business based on a range of factors including trade, size and the requirements of their clients.

For companies that meet the criteria for a micro-business, the assessment standards are applied in a proportionate way.

A guide to the question set (Version 5) has been published to help companies prepare for an audit by a Recognised Assessment Body.

The Common Assessment Standard is regularly reviewed, and to submit any suggested changes, please complete this form.

Organisations Using The Common Assessment Standard

  • ASUC
  • Balfour Beatty
  • BAM Construction
  • BCSA
  • BESA
  • Bouygues UK
  • Bowmer + Kirkland
  • Canary Wharf Contractors
  • Clancy Group
  • Costain
  • Derwent London
  • Ferrovial Construction
  • FIS
  • Galliford Try
  • HAE
  • HS2
  • IPAF
  • Keltbray
  • Kier
  • Laing O’Rourke
  • Lipton Rogers
  • Mace
  • McCarthy Stone
  • Multiplex
  • Novus Property Solutions
  • Pagabo
  • SCAPE
  • Sir Robert McAlpine
  • Sisk
  • Skanska
  • STRABAG UK
  • Structure Tone
  • Tilbury Douglas
  • VINCI Construction UK
  • VolkerWessels UK
  • Wates

Recognised Assessment Bodies

Desktop Site-Based
Achilles BuildingConfidence Gold CAS Desktop Assessment BuildingConfidence Gold CAS Day Audit
Compliance Chain Compliance Chain Gold Supplier Membership Not Applicable
Constructionline Constructionline Gold Constructionline Platinum
CQMS Safety-Scheme Premium Safety-Scheme Elite
SCCS SCCS Build Assured CAS Lite SCCS Build Assured CAS Elite
Smas Worksafe Worksafe Pro Not Applicable
Veriforce CHAS CHAS Elite (CAS) CHAS Elite (CAS) Assured

All Recognised Assessment Bodies have demonstrated their capability to audit companies against the Common Assessment Standard.

Any organisation interested in becoming a Recognised Assessment Body should email pre-qualification@BuildUK.org.

Data Sharing

Companies that have been certified against the Common Assessment Standard by a Recognised Assessment Body can share their data with other Recognised Assessment Bodies, so it is visible to more Contractors and Clients. To share data with another Recognised Assessment Body, please complete the data sharing form for that Recognised Assessment Body, which can be found on either their dedicated webpage or within their portal.

When completing the form, companies must also ensure that an email is sent to the Recognised Assessment Body that originally certified them to the Common Assessment Standard to give permission for their data to be shared. Data can be shared with as many Recognised Assessment Bodies as required by completing the relevant data sharing form for each one. 

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