SSIP certification requirements can appear complex with multiple member schemes and detailed health and safety criteria. At EmmersonWills, we specialise in simplifying the entire process, making health and safety prequalification straightforward for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers of all sizes.
What is SSIP?
Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) is an umbrella organisation facilitating mutual recognition between health and safety assessment schemes in the UK. With over 89,000 suppliers registered across SSIP member schemes, it provides a standardised approach to health and safety prequalification that eliminates repetitive assessments.
SSIP operates through member schemes including CHAS, Constructionline Acclaim, SafeContractor, SMAS, and numerous others. When assessed and certified through any SSIP member scheme, suppliers gain recognition across all schemes through mutual recognition agreements. This “Deemed to Satisfy” arrangement means one assessment satisfies multiple buyer requirements.
All SSIP assessments are conducted against Core Criteria approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), ensuring consistent, reliable standards across schemes. The SSIP Portal provides free access for buyers to verify supplier credentials, reducing duplication whilst providing confidence in health and safety competence.
Why Does Your Business Need SSIP?
SSIP certification has become a prerequisite for many construction sector contracts, particularly in the public sector. Without SSIP certification through a member scheme, businesses may be excluded from tender opportunities regardless of their actual health and safety capabilities.
The traditional procurement process required suppliers to complete separate health and safety assessments for each client or framework. SSIP eliminates this duplication. Once certified through an SSIP member scheme, suppliers can demonstrate compliance to multiple buyers without repeating assessments, saving significant time and administrative costs.
Buyers increasingly specify SSIP certification as a minimum requirement because it provides independent verification that contractors meet HSE-backed health and safety standards. This demonstrates due diligence in supply chain management whilst reducing their own vetting workload. For suppliers, SSIP certification opens market access and provides competitive advantage when bidding against non-certified competitors.
The mutual recognition system means certification through one scheme (such as CHAS or Constructionline Acclaim) provides Deemed to Satisfy status across other schemes, often at reduced fees or without additional assessment. This interoperability maximises return on certification investment whilst maintaining comprehensive market access.
Benefits of SSIP Certification
- Streamlined Prequalification: Complete one health and safety assessment through an SSIP member scheme and gain recognition across multiple buyers and frameworks. This eliminates repetitive paperwork and assessment costs.
- Market Access: SSIP certification is increasingly mandatory or strongly preferred for construction sector contracts, particularly public sector work. Certification removes a common barrier to tender participation and contract awards.
- Cost and Time Savings: Buyers and suppliers collectively saved over £68 million in 2023 through SSIP by eliminating duplicated assessments. Suppliers save on multiple application fees, assessment time, and administrative burden. Buyers save on vetting costs and procurement time.
- Competitive Credibility: Independent verification against HSE-backed Core Criteria demonstrates genuine health and safety competence. This builds buyer confidence and differentiates certified suppliers from non-certified competitors who cannot evidence comparable standards.
- Mutual Recognition: Deemed to Satisfy agreements between member schemes mean certification through one provider (e.g. CHAS) is recognised by others (e.g. Constructionline). Suppliers can obtain recognition across multiple schemes without repeating full assessments, typically at reduced cost.
- Portal Visibility: SSIP-certified organisations are listed on the freely accessible SSIP Portal, providing visibility to thousands of buyers searching for qualified suppliers. This passive marketing exposes businesses to opportunities they might otherwise miss.
- Enhanced Safety Culture: The assessment process helps identify gaps in health and safety management, driving improvements that reduce accidents, improve employee wellbeing, lower insurance costs, and decrease legal/regulatory risks.
SSIP Member Schemes
SSIP operates through member schemes that conduct assessments and issue certifications. Major member schemes include:
CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme), Constructionline Acclaim (formerly Once For All Health & Safety), SafeContractor, SMAS (Safety Management Advisory Services), Alcumus SafeContractor, Achilles, Exor, and numerous sector-specific schemes covering various industries.
Each member scheme charges its own fees, operates its own assessment process, and provides its own member benefits. However, all assess against the same SSIP Core Criteria, ensuring consistent standards across schemes. Choosing between schemes depends on factors including cost, buyer preferences in your sector, additional services offered, and integration with other certifications you may hold.
Many suppliers already hold SSIP certification without realising it. For example, Constructionline Silver, Gold, and Platinum memberships include Acclaim SSIP certification as standard. ISO 45001 certification can also provide SSIP compliance when issued in conjunction with the SSIP Sector Scheme by a UKAS-accredited certification body.
Who Needs SSIP Certification?
SSIP certification is essential for businesses across the construction and related sectors:
Contractors & Subcontractors
Companies providing construction, installation, maintenance, refurbishment, or related works. SSIP has become a standard requirement for construction supply chains regardless of organisation size or contract value.
Trade Contractors
Specialist trades including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, joinery, plastering, painting, roofing, and other construction trades. Many principal contractors require all trade subcontractors to hold SSIP certification.
Facilities Management Providers
Organisations providing FM services including cleaning, maintenance, security, catering, grounds management, and support services to build environment clients.
Consultants & Professional Services
Design consultants, engineers, architects, project managers, quantity surveyors, and other construction professionals where clients require health and safety prequalification.
Suppliers & Manufacturers
Businesses supplying materials, equipment, or services to construction projects where buyers require evidence of health and safety competence in their supply chains.
While SSIP originated in construction, its scope extends to any sector where buyers require health and safety prequalification. Many non-construction organisations now require SSIP certification from their suppliers as part of supply chain risk management.
wHY cHOOSE eMMERSONwILLS FOR SSIP SUPPORT?
EmmersonWills specialises in simplifying SSIP certification through member schemes. Health and safety prequalification requirements can overwhelm businesses without established systems or dedicated health and safety resources. We remove the complexity and make certification straightforward.
Our consultants are hand-picked to align with our company culture and identity, meticulously trained and managed from the top, and all hired full-time rather than using sub-contractors. This ensures consistency in service delivery and builds trust through reliable and qualified expertise.
- Clear Path to Certification: We guide organisations through the entire SSIP journey from initial gap analysis through to successful certification. Our methodology breaks down complex health and safety requirements into manageable steps, ensuring nothing is overlooked whilst avoiding unnecessary complications.
- Scheme Selection Guidance: With numerous SSIP member schemes available, choosing the most appropriate option can be confusing. We help organisations select schemes based on buyer requirements in their sector, cost-effectiveness, integration with other certifications, and additional benefits offered.
- System Development: For organisations without established health and safety management systems, we develop the policies, procedures, risk assessments, and documentation required for SSIP certification. Our approach creates practical, usable systems that improve actual safety performance rather than creating paperwork exercises.
- Evidence Preparation: SSIP assessments require specific evidence of health and safety capability. We help organisations gather required documentation efficiently, complete application processes accurately, and present evidence effectively to satisfy assessor expectations without wasted effort.
- ISO 45001 Integration: For organisations pursuing or holding ISO 45001 certification, we integrate SSIP requirements seamlessly. This unified approach satisfies both standards efficiently whilst creating cohesive health and safety management rather than separate overlapping systems.
- Straightforward Renewal: SSIP certification requires annual renewal with updated information. We provide ongoing support to maintain compliance, manage renewal processes simply, update systems as requirements evolve, and ensure continued certification without administrative burden.
Our guarantee
Our guarantee removes risk from your decision. We guarantee no easier route to gaining and maintaining SSIP certification. This isn’t marketing language. It’s a commitment reflecting our confidence in delivering results through genuine simplification, not just promises.
We adapt requirements to fit your operations, creating systems that work for your business rather than forcing artificial compliance. Our entire focus is on simplicity, genuine health and safety improvement, and accessing the contract opportunities your business deserves without unnecessary complexity standing in your way.
Taking the next step
If you’re considering SSIP certification or need support with member scheme assessment, construction and related sectors increasingly require this prequalification. With SSIP becoming standard for supply chain participation, certification has moved from advantage to necessity.
The process doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With the right support, achieving SSIP certification becomes straightforward and manageable, allowing you to focus on winning and delivering contracts whilst we handle the health and safety compliance complexity and simplify every step of the journey.
Ready to access SSIP-requiring contracts?
EmmersonWills offers a free initial consultation to discuss your specific circumstances and demonstrate how our proven methodology can streamline your path to SSIP certification. We’ll show you exactly how we simplify what others overcomplicate. With our guarantee of no easier route to SSIP certification, you can move forward with confidence.
Contact EmmersonWills today to discover how we can help your business achieve SSIP certification without the complexity. Get in touch to start your simplified SSIP journey.
SSIP Frequently Asked Questions
What does SSIP stand for?
SSIP stands for Safety Schemes in Procurement. It is an umbrella organisation that facilitates mutual recognition between health and safety assessment schemes in the UK, enabling suppliers to complete one assessment that satisfies multiple buyer requirements.
Is SSIP certification mandatory?
SSIP certification is not legally mandatory, but it has become a prerequisite for many construction sector contracts, particularly public sector work. Many buyers specify SSIP certification as a minimum requirement for tender participation, making it practically essential for market access.
Which SSIP member scheme should I choose?
Choice depends on several factors including buyer preferences in your sector, cost, integration with other certifications you hold, and additional member benefits. Major schemes include CHAS, Constructionline Acclaim, SafeContractor, and SMAS. We help organisations select the most appropriate scheme for their circumstances.
Do I already have SSIP certification?
You may hold SSIP certification without realising it. Constructionline Silver, Gold, and Platinum memberships include Acclaim SSIP as standard. ISO 45001 certification can also provide SSIP compliance when issued with the SSIP Sector Scheme. Check your existing certifications to identify if you already have SSIP coverage.
What is Deemed to Satisfy?
Deemed to Satisfy is SSIP’s mutual recognition agreement. If you hold certification through one SSIP member scheme, other member schemes recognise this and can provide you with their certification (usually at reduced cost) without repeating full assessment. This eliminates duplication across multiple schemes.
How much does SSIP certification cost?
Costs vary by member scheme and organisation size. Annual fees typically range from a few hundred to over a thousand pounds depending on company turnover and scheme selected. Additional costs may include consultancy support for system development and evidence preparation. We provide transparent cost guidance based on your specific circumstances.
How long does SSIP certification take?
Timeline depends on your current health and safety arrangements. Organisations with established systems and documentation may achieve certification within 2-4 weeks. Businesses developing systems from scratch typically require 1-3 months for policy development, documentation, and assessment preparation before applying.
What is the SSIP Portal?
The SSIP Portal is a free online database where buyers can verify supplier SSIP certification status. When you achieve SSIP certification through any member scheme, your details are uploaded to the Portal, providing visibility to thousands of buyers searching for qualified suppliers.
Can small businesses achieve SSIP certification?
Yes, SSIP is accessible to businesses of all sizes. Core Criteria requirements are scalable to organisation size and complexity. Small businesses often find SSIP opens access to contracts previously unavailable, providing significant return on modest certification investment. We specialise in helping small businesses develop appropriately sized systems.
What documentation is required for SSIP?
Required documentation typically includes health and safety policy, organisational chart showing safety responsibilities, risk assessments and method statements, training records demonstrating competency, evidence of access to competent health and safety advice, accident/incident records, insurance certificates, and performance monitoring arrangements. Specific requirements vary slightly by member scheme.
How long is SSIP certification valid?
SSIP certification is typically valid for 12 months, requiring annual renewal. Renewal involves updating information, confirming continued compliance, and paying renewal fees. Some schemes offer longer validity periods. We provide ongoing support to manage renewals efficiently without administrative burden.
What are the SSIP Core Criteria?
SSIP Core Criteria are standardised health and safety assessment requirements approved by the Health and Safety Executive. All SSIP member schemes assess against these criteria, ensuring consistency. Criteria cover health and safety policy, organisational arrangements, risk assessment, training and competency, access to competent advice, and performance monitoring.
Can SSIP certification be used for non-construction work?
While SSIP originated in construction, many non-construction buyers now require SSIP certification from suppliers as part of supply chain risk management. Member schemes offer categories for non-construction contractors, and SSIP has become relevant across facilities management, utilities and other sectors requiring health and safety prequalification.
What happens if we fail SSIP assessment?
Assessment identifies any gaps in health and safety management. Minor deficiencies typically require corrective action without preventing certification. Significant gaps may require system development before resubmission. With proper preparation, most organisations achieve first-time assessment success. Our systematic preparation approach minimises failure risk.
How does SSIP relate to ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 is a comprehensive occupational health and safety management system standard. SSIP Core Criteria represents a threshold standard for basic health and safety competence. ISO 45001 certification can provide SSIP compliance through the SSIP Sector Scheme, offering a higher-level route to SSIP certification for organisations with mature health and safety systems.