Guide
SafeContractor vs CHAS
Two of the best-known accreditation names, often treated as rivals. For the assessment that matters, they are closer than the marketing suggests.
The short answer
SafeContractor and CHAS are both founding members of SSIP, and both assess your health and safety management against the same SSIP core criteria. So for the health and safety assessment, the documents you prepare are effectively identical. The differences are around the edges: which buyers favour which scheme, the wider services each bundles, and cost, which varies by business size and tier. A valid certificate from either is recognised by the other through Deem to Satisfy.
Where they are the same
- The standard. Both assess against the SSIP core criteria endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive.
- The evidence. A signed policy, risk assessments and method statements, training records, insurance and the rest of the core criteria.
- Mutual recognition. Hold one and the other recognises it for the health and safety element through Deem to Satisfy.
- Annual renewal. Certificates last twelve months.
Where they differ
The differences are about audience and packaging rather than the health and safety bar. SafeContractor, owned by Alcumus, is strong in facilities management, utilities, mechanical and electrical work and retail, and is recognised by hundreds of buying organisations. CHAS, now Veriforce CHAS, is a founding member widely specified in public sector works, and offers tiers up to Elite that map to the Common Assessment Standard. Which one opens more doors depends entirely on the clients you are targeting.
For electrical contractors
Electrician CHAS pack · £95
Because both schemes use the same SSIP core criteria, one set of documents prepares you for either. Written for electricians, ready to adapt.
How to choose
Let your clients decide it for you. Ask which scheme they actually require, and choose that one first. If several clients name different schemes, pick whichever is named most often and rely on Deem to Satisfy for the rest, remembering you still pay each scheme's membership fee to appear on its portal. Paying for both from the start is rarely necessary.
Related guides
Read what SafeContractor is, what CHAS is, and how Deem to Satisfy works.
Common questions
Is SafeContractor or CHAS better?
Neither is better for the health and safety assessment: both are SSIP members assessing against the same core criteria. The right choice depends on which scheme your clients name, the sectors you work in, and cost, which varies by business size and tier.
Do I need both SafeContractor and CHAS?
Rarely. A valid certificate from either is recognised by the other through Deem to Satisfy, so most contractors hold one and rely on mutual recognition for clients who name the other, paying only the second scheme's membership fee if they need to appear on its portal.
Are the documents the same for SafeContractor and CHAS?
Effectively yes. Both assess against the SSIP core criteria, so the health and safety evidence you prepare, a signed policy, risk assessments, method statements and training records, is the same for either.
Which scheme do buyers prefer?
It varies by sector. SafeContractor is strong in facilities management, utilities and retail, while CHAS is widely specified in public sector works. Ask each client which scheme they require before choosing.