Guide
What is the Common Assessment Standard?
A single standard designed to end the days of filling in a different pre-qualification questionnaire for every client. Here is what it is and who assesses it.
The short answer
The Common Assessment Standard is a single, industry-agreed pre-qualification standard for construction, developed by Build UK and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association. It sets one common question set covering health and safety and wider business areas, so a contractor can be assessed once and recognised by many buyers. It launched in 2019 and replaced the older PAS 91 questionnaire, which was withdrawn in 2023. You reach it through an assessment body such as CHAS at Elite level or Constructionline at Gold.
What it covers
Where a basic SSIP assessment focuses on health and safety, the Common Assessment Standard is broader. Alongside health and safety it covers areas such as training and competence, monitoring and review, accident reporting aligned to RIDDOR, insurance, competent advice and subcontractor management, and it has added a Building Safety section reflecting the Building Safety Act 2022. The question set is regularly updated by Build UK to keep pace with legislation.
Why it exists
- To cut duplication. One assessment recognised by many clients, instead of a fresh questionnaire per buyer.
- To standardise the bar. A single set of criteria every participating scheme assesses against.
- To enable data sharing. A pass held through one provider can be recognised through the others.
For electrical contractors
Electrician CHAS pack · £95
The health and safety evidence that sits at the core of any Common Assessment Standard submission, written for electricians and mapped to the SSIP criteria.
How it relates to CHAS and Constructionline
The Common Assessment Standard is the standard; CHAS and Constructionline are among the bodies that assess against it. CHAS meets it at its Elite level, and Constructionline meets it at Gold. So when a main contractor asks for the Common Assessment Standard, they are usually satisfied by CHAS Elite or Constructionline Gold, because both are assessed to that same standard. If you already hold one of those higher tiers, you very likely already meet it.
Related guides
Read the CHAS levels, what Constructionline Gold adds, and what SSIP is.
Common questions
What is the Common Assessment Standard?
A single, industry-agreed pre-qualification standard for construction, developed by Build UK and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association. It sets one question set covering health and safety and wider business areas, so a contractor can be assessed once and recognised by many buyers.
Who created the Common Assessment Standard?
Build UK and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, with other accreditation bodies and industry experts. It launched in 2019 and replaced the older PAS 91 questionnaire, which was withdrawn in 2023.
How do I get the Common Assessment Standard?
Through an assessment body that offers it at the relevant tier, such as CHAS at Elite level or Constructionline at Gold. Both are assessed against the same standard, so either can satisfy a buyer who asks for it.
What does the Common Assessment Standard cover?
Health and safety plus wider areas including training and competence, monitoring, accident reporting aligned to RIDDOR, insurance, competent advice and subcontractor management, and a Building Safety section reflecting the Building Safety Act 2022.