Guide

Who needs CHAS accreditation?

CHAS is rarely a legal requirement, but it is often a commercial one. This explains when you will actually be asked for it.

The short answer

You need CHAS when a client, main contractor or buyer asks for it as a condition of quoting or being appointed. It is not required by law. It is a pre-qualification requirement that many principal contractors, councils, housing associations and other buyers use to check that your health and safety management meets a recognised standard before they let you on site or into a tender.

Who typically asks for it

• Main and principal contractors who need to show their own clients that their supply chain is competent.
• Local authorities and housing associations running approved contractor lists.
• Public sector buyers pre-qualifying contractors for works contracts.
• Larger private clients and facilities managers who require a valid SSIP certificate before issuing work.

If a client asks you to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire before tendering, a CHAS certificate often satisfies the health and safety section of that questionnaire outright, which is a large part of why contractors hold it.

Is CHAS a legal requirement?

No. There is no law that says you must hold CHAS. The legal duties sit in health and safety legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. CHAS is one way of demonstrating that you meet the organisational capability those duties expect, which is why buyers rely on it. The requirement to hold it comes from your clients, not from statute.

Public sector work and PPN 03/24

For public sector works contracts, the picture has shifted. The government's Procurement Policy Note 03/24 states that after 27 June 2024 public sector contracting authorities should require contractors to meet the Common Assessment Standard, which at CHAS means the Elite level. That note is a direction to public sector buyers rather than a statutory duty on contractors, and adoption is still being rolled out and varies between authorities. For private sector work and smaller contracts, CHAS Standard or Advanced is typically an appropriate starting point.

How CHAS relates to SSIP

CHAS is a founding member of SSIP, the umbrella body whose core criteria are endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive. Because of that, a CHAS Standard certificate is recognised by other SSIP member schemes through an arrangement called Deem to Satisfy, so one assessment can be accepted by many buyers. If different clients ask for different scheme names, that recognition often saves you from being assessed twice.

Related guides

Read what CHAS accreditation is, what SSIP is, and how Deem to Satisfy works.

Common questions

Do I legally need CHAS?

No. CHAS is not a legal requirement. It is a commercial one: many main contractors, councils, housing associations and public sector buyers ask for it as a condition of quoting or being appointed.

Who asks contractors for CHAS?

Main and principal contractors, local authorities, housing associations, public sector buyers, and larger private clients and facilities managers, usually as part of pre-qualification before you can tender or start work.

Do I need CHAS for public sector work?

Procurement Policy Note 03/24 directs public sector buyers to require the Common Assessment Standard, which CHAS Elite satisfies, for works contracts. It is guidance to buyers rather than a law on contractors, and adoption varies, so confirm the requirement with the specific authority.

Does CHAS cover me for other schemes?

Often, yes. CHAS is an SSIP member, so a CHAS Standard certificate is recognised by other SSIP schemes through Deem to Satisfy, which can save you being assessed twice.