CHAS urges construction industry to embrace Common Assessment Standard following data sharing agreement roll-out

The Common Assessment Standard was launched in 2019 by Build UK with the support of CECA to replace multiple assessment schemes with one comprehensive industry-agreed questionnaire. CHAS was the first Recognised Assessment Body to offer the Common Assessment Standard and it has fast become the industry’s ‘Gold Standard’ for pre-qualification.

The data-sharing agreement, which was announced on Monday 29 March 2021, will ensure clients who specify the CHAS Common Assessment Standard can access a contractor’s prequalification data via any of the Recognised Assessment Bodies, regardless of who carries out the certification. It gives clients access to a greater range of contractors who meet the standard as well as saving contractors time and money as they will only need to undertake one annual assessment via CHAS.

CHAS managing director Ian McKinnon commented: “The data-sharing agreement for the Common Assessment Standard is a major step forward for the construction industry and comes as positive news after what has been a challenging period for so many. We now need the industry to continue to embrace the scheme. We very much hope the efficiencies offered by the data-sharing agreement will provide further incentive for everyone to do so. We urge contractors and clients to contact CHAS to find out more about the benefits of adopting the Common Assessment Standard and how we can help.”

Contractors who choose to complete the Common Assessment Standard with CHAS will receive additional benefits including free access to expert Health and Safety advice. CHAS is committed to helping contractors who are not yet ready to complete the Common Assessment Standard by working with them towards higher levels of accreditation.

Clients looking to specify the CHAS Common Assessment Standard can access a full database of approved contractors via the free CHAS Client Portal where they will also find a suite of complimentary supply chain management and procurement tools.

*Further information is available online at: www.chas.co.uk