Background
The Common Assessment Standard, developed by Build UK, is designed to improve efficiency and reduce cost in the construction pre-qualification (PQ) process.
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.
PPN 03/23 also enables central Government departments and wider public sector bodies to use the Common Assessment Standard to pre-qualify suppliers.
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 employ fewer than 10 employees and have a turnover below £1.8 million or a balance sheet total less than £1.8 million, the assessment standards will be applied in a proportionate way.
A guide to the question set 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
- BESA
- Bouygues UK
- Canary Wharf Contractors
- Clancy Group
- Costain
- Derwent London
- HAE
- HS2
- IPAF
- ISG
- Keltbray
- Kier
- Mace
- McCarthy Stone
- Multiplex
- Novus Property Solutions
- Osborne
- Sir Robert McAlpine
- Sisk
- Skanska
- Tilbury Douglas
- VINCI Construction UK
- VolkerWessels UK
- Wates
Recognised Assessment Bodies
| Desktop | Site-Based | |
|---|---|---|
| Achilles | BuildingConfidence Gold 1 Desktop Audit | BuildingConfidence Gold 1 Day Audit |
| CHAS | CHAS Elite (CAS) | CHAS Elite (CAS) Assured |
| Constructionline | Constructionline Gold | Constructionline Platinum |
| CQMS | Safety-Scheme Premium | Safety-Scheme Elite |
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 key PQ data with other Recognised Assessment Bodies to increase their visibility amongst more Contractors and Clients. For each Recognised Assessment Body that a supplier wishes to share its data with, it will need to complete the relevant form as follows:
- Achilles – Complete the Data Request form.
- CHAS – Create or log into your ‘My CHAS’ account, select ‘CHAS Foundation’ if you don’t have an account already, then click ‘Register my accreditation’ in the ‘Common Assessment Standard Third Party’ section, and complete the Data Request form.
- Constructionline – Complete the Data Portability Request form.
- CQMS – Complete the Data Request form.