Losing a contract because of missing paperwork is frustrating. Especially when your actual work is good.
But that is exactly what happens to hundreds of UK contractors every year. They miss out on tenders simply because they do not have CHAS accreditation.
CHAS, the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme, is one of the most recognised health and safety accreditations in the UK. Clients use it to check that you are safe, compliant, and ready to work.
Without it, many procurement teams will not even consider your application.
This guide covers everything you need to know about CHAS in 2026, the assessment criteria, how to register, how to renew, what CHAS Premium Plus means, and how BizGrow Holdings can help you get approved faster.
What is CHAS Accreditation?
CHAS stands for Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme. It was created in 1997 by health and safety professionals to improve safety standards across the UK supply chain.
It is a third-party accreditation. This means an independent assessor reviews your health and safety systems, policies, and records and confirms whether you meet the required standard.
CHAS is also a founding member of SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement). That means CHAS-accredited businesses benefit from mutual recognition across more than 20 other SSIP member schemes. One assessment. Recognised everywhere SSIP is accepted.
Today, CHAS has over 75,000 contractors registered and is recognised by more than 1,000 public and private sector organisations across the UK.
Who Needs CHAS?
CHAS is widely required across many UK sectors. You likely need it if you work in:
- Construction and civil engineering
- Facilities management
- Private security
- Cleaning and maintenance
- Utilities and engineering
- Public sector supply chains
If a client asks you to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) before tendering, CHAS accreditation often satisfies the health and safety section entirely.
CHAS Assessment Criteria Explained
The CHAS assessment criteria align directly with the SSIP Core Criteria, which are endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Every CHAS assessor checks your business against the same set of standards.
Here is a clear breakdown of what those criteria cover.
Health & Safety Policy Requirements
This is the first thing every assessor looks at. You need a written Health & Safety Policy that is:
- Signed and dated by a director or senior manager
- Relevant to the actual nature of your work
- Reviewed at least once a year
- Clearly structured, covering your statement of intent, organisation, and arrangements
A generic or outdated policy is one of the most common reasons businesses fail the CHAS assessment criteria. Your policy must reflect what you actually do, not what a template says.
Risk Assessments and RAMS
Risk Assessments and Method Statements, known as RAMS, are a core part of the CHAS assessment criteria. Assessors want to see that you have identified hazards specific to your work and put control measures in place.
Copied templates will not pass. Your RAMS must be practical and tailored to your actual activities.
- Risk assessments for every significant task or hazard
- Method statements explaining how work will be carried out safely
- RAMS signed off by a competent person
- RAMS updated when work conditions or methods change
Training & Competence
CHAS assessors verify that your workers are competent for the roles they carry out. Saying your staff are trained is not enough. You need documented evidence.
- Training records for all employees
- Copies of relevant certificates, first aid, manual handling, working at height, etc.
- Induction records for new starters
- Evidence of toolbox talks or safety briefings
- For security businesses, SIA licence copies
Missing or expired training documentation is a very common cause of assessment delays. Keep your records updated at all times.
Accident Reporting (RIDDOR)
Your business must have a clear and documented process for reporting accidents and near misses. This includes compliance with RIDDOR, the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.
CHAS assessors will ask for your accident history, typically covering the last three years. They will check whether incidents were properly recorded and reported to the HSE where required.
- Accident log book or digital record
- RIDDOR-reportable incidents reported to the HSE
- Evidence of investigation and remedial actions
- Accident statistics for the last three years
A clean accident record is positive. But a history of unreported incidents or evidence that lessons were not learned will raise serious concerns.
Monitoring, Audit & Review
CHAS is not a one-time setup. Assessors want to see that you continuously monitor and improve your health and safety performance.
This means regular internal audits, management reviews, and a clear process for identifying and correcting problems.
- Evidence of internal health and safety audits
- Management review records
- Records of any corrective actions taken
- A clear process for identifying and acting on safety issues
Businesses that cannot show ongoing monitoring often struggle at the renewal stage because they have no evidence of continuous improvement.
Subcontractor Management
If you use subcontractors or labour-only subcontractors, CHAS expects you to have a system for managing them properly. You cannot simply pass your compliance responsibilities down the chain without oversight.
- A documented process for vetting subcontractors
- Evidence that subcontractor competence is checked before engagement
- Records of subcontractor health and safety documents
- Clear communication of your site rules and safety expectations
How to Apply for CHAS: Step-by-Step Guide
Knowing how to apply for CHAS correctly makes the whole process smoother. Follow these steps.
Step 1 – Choose the Right CHAS Level
CHAS now offers three main membership levels. Choosing the right one depends on what your clients require and your business size.
CHAS Standard: Covers SSIP Core Criteria. The entry-level option. Best for businesses whose clients require SSIP-level health and safety compliance.
CHAS Advanced: Covers SSIP plus the former PAS 91 standards. Suitable for businesses tendering for more complex or higher-value contracts.
CHAS Elite: Covers SSIP plus the Common Assessment Standard (CAS) across 13 areas of risk management. Required for public sector contracts following PPN 03/24 guidance introduced in 2024.
If you are unsure which level is right for you, speak to BizGrow Holdings. We will review your clients’ requirements and recommend the correct tier.
Step 2 – Prepare Your Documents
Before you register, get your documents ready. This is the most important step. The CHAS assessment criteria are detailed, and missing documents cause delays.
You will need at a minimum:
- Health & Safety Policy (signed and reviewed)
- Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS)
- Employee training records and certificates
- Accident log and RIDDOR records
- Public Liability and Employers’ Liability insurance certificates
- Subcontractor management documentation (if applicable)
- Evidence of monitoring, audit, and review
Step 3 – Complete CHAS Registration
Head to the CHAS website and create an account on the VeriforceONE portal. This is the online platform where all CHAS registration and application management takes place.
You will need to enter your business details.
Tip: Have your Companies House registration number ready, as it auto-fills most of your company information and speeds up the CHAS registration process.
Step 4 – Submit Your Application
Once registered, you will be asked to complete assessments relevant to your chosen membership level. Upload your documents, answer the assessment questions, and submit.
Take your time here. Rushed or incomplete submissions are the most common cause of rejections.
Step 5 – Assessment & Approval
A CHAS assessor will review your submission, typically within 48 hours for fast-tracked applications. They will check your documents against the CHAS assessment criteria and either approve you or request further information.
If you do not pass the first time, CHAS will guide you on what needs to be corrected before you resubmit. With proper preparation, most businesses pass on the first attempt.
CHAS Registration Process
The CHAS registration process is entirely online. Here is what you need to have ready.
Information Required
- Company name, address, and Companies House number
- Number of direct employees and labour-only subcontractors
- Your primary trade or service type
- Contact details for the main CHAS account holder
- Payment details for your chosen membership level
Online Application Process
All CHAS registration is handled through the VeriforceONE portal at chas.co.uk. You create your account, enter your business details, choose your membership level, and pay your fee.
Once your account is set up, you complete your assessments, uploading evidence documents and answering questions about your health and safety management systems.
Common Mistakes During Registration
- Not reading the assessment questions carefully, leading to irrelevant answers.
- Uploading documents that are not clearly labelled or dated
- Choosing the wrong membership level for your business needs
- Submitting before all documents are ready causes delays mid-assessment
- Forgetting to include accident records covering the last three years
CHAS Renewal – What You Need to Know
CHAS accreditation is valid for 12 months. After that, you must renew it to maintain your approved status.
The good news is that you can start your CHAS renewal before your current certificate expires. In fact, it is strongly recommended to begin the process at least 4–6 weeks before your renewal date.
What the Renewal Process Involves
CHAS renewal follows a similar process to the original application. You will need to:
- Log in to your VeriforceONE account
- Update any documents that have changed or been reviewed
- Confirm your accident statistics for the past year
- Upload new insurance certificates if your previous ones have expired
- Pay the annual renewal fee
Documents Required for Renewal
- Updated Health & Safety Policy (if reviewed since last year)
- Current insurance certificates
- Updated training records for any new starters or updated qualifications
- Accident log for the previous 12 months
- Any updated RAMS (especially if your work activities have changed)
Avoiding Delays at Renewal
The most common cause of renewal delays is leaving it too late. If your certificate lapses, you lose your accredited status. That can block you from active contracts or tender submissions.
Keep a reminder in your calendar at least 6 weeks before your renewal date. And keep your documents updated throughout the year, not just at renewal time.
What is CHAS Premium Plus?
CHAS has rebranded and restructured its product tiers in recent years. What was previously referred to as CHAS Premium or CHAS Premium Plus now broadly corresponds to CHAS Advanced and CHAS Elite in the current product range.
What CHAS Advanced Includes
CHAS Advanced covers both SSIP Core Criteria and the former PAS 91 standard. It is designed for businesses that need to demonstrate a higher level of compliance when tendering for larger or more complex contracts.
It includes assessment across additional areas such as quality management, environmental management, and equality and diversity, beyond the basic health and safety criteria.
What CHAS Elite Includes
CHAS Elite is the most comprehensive level. It covers the full Common Assessment Standard (CAS) across 13 areas of risk management. This is now the recommended level for businesses tendering for public sector contracts, following government guidance (PPN 03/24) introduced in 2024.
Standard vs Premium | Which Should You Choose?
- Choose CHAS Standard if your clients require SSIP-level health and safety compliance only.
- Choose CHAS Advanced if your clients require PAS 91 or a broader pre-qualification questionnaire.
- Choose CHAS Elite if you are targeting public sector contracts or large private sector frameworks.
Not sure which level is right for you? BizGrow Holdings can review your current contract pipeline and advise exactly which tier gives you the best return.
Benefits of CHAS Accreditation
Getting CHAS accredited is one of the smartest business decisions a UK contractor can make. Here is why.
Win more contracts: CHAS connects you to a network of 2,500+ hiring clients. Many procurement teams only consider CHAS-approved businesses at the shortlisting stage.
Replace multiple PQQs: Instead of completing lengthy health and safety questionnaires for every new client, CHAS accreditation is accepted as pre-qualification evidence by over 1,000 UK organisations.
Build instant credibility: Displaying the CHAS badge signals professionalism and compliance before a client has even spoken to you.
Meet legal requirements: The CHAS assessment criteria align with your legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Achieving accreditation demonstrates you are fulfilling those duties.
Reduce tender rejections: Missing health and safety documentation is one of the most common reasons for rejection at the tender stage. CHAS eliminates that risk.
SSIP mutual recognition: As a founding SSIP member, CHAS accreditation is recognised across 20+ other SSIP schemes using the Deem to Satisfy system to save time and money.
Common CHAS Application Mistakes
Many businesses fail their first CHAS application not because they are unsafe, but because of avoidable errors.
Missing documents: Submitting an incomplete application is the number one reason for delays. Go through the full CHAS assessment criteria checklist before you apply.
Weak or generic RAMS: Downloading a standard template and not tailoring it to your specific activities will not pass. Assessors can spot a generic RAMS immediately.
Outdated Health & Safety Policy: A policy that has not been reviewed in years or has no review date raises immediate red flags.
No accident records: CHAS assessors want to see three years of accident history. If you have no records at all, that is a problem.
Expired insurance: Uploading an insurance certificate that is out of date will lead to an automatic fail on that criterion.
Wrong membership level: Applying for CHAS Standard when your clients actually require CHAS Advanced or Elite wastes time and money.
How Long Does CHAS Approval Take?
The honest answer depends on how prepared you are before you apply.
For well-prepared businesses with all documents ready:
- Initial assessor review: within 48 hours for fast-tracked applications
- Full approval: typically 3–10 working days
For businesses with documentation gaps:
- Each revision request adds days or weeks to the process
- Multiple rounds of revision can push timelines to 4–8 weeks or longer
The key factor is preparation. Businesses that prepare thoroughly before submitting, ideally with professional support, almost always get approved faster than those who apply and hope for the best.
Why Work with a CHAS Consultant?
You can apply for CHAS yourself. But working with an experienced consultant makes the process faster, less stressful, and far more likely to succeed the first time.
- A consultant knows exactly what CHAS assessors are looking for
- They will identify documentation gaps before you submit, not after
- They create RAMS and policies that are tailored, not generic
- They handle the application process on your behalf, saving you hours
- They reduce the risk of rejection and the cost of resubmission
For businesses that are time-poor or going through CHAS for the first time, professional support is not just convenient, it is cost-effective.
How BizGrow Holdings Can Help
At BizGrow Holdings, we specialise in helping UK businesses achieve CHAS accreditation, and we have a proven track record of doing it right the first time.
We work with contractors and businesses across the UK, especially in the security, facilities management, and construction sectors. Our team understands the CHAS assessment criteria inside out. And we know what assessors want to see.
What We Offer
- Full documentation review, we identify every gap before you apply
- Health & Safety Policy drafting and updating
- Tailored RAMS creation specific to your activities
- Training records, audit and guidance
- Complete CHAS registration and application handling
- CHAS renewal support to keep your accreditation active
- Integration with ISO 45001, SSIP, SafeContractor, and other schemes
- Ongoing compliance management after certification
We also support businesses with a full range of UK accreditations, including SafeContractor, SMAS, ConstructionLine, SIA ACS, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.
If you need more than just CHAS, and you want a complete compliance strategy, BizGrow Holdings builds that plan with you.
Visit bizgrow-holdings.com to learn more, or contact our team today to discuss your CHAS accreditation needs. We are ready to help.
Conclusion
CHAS accreditation is one of the most valuable investments a UK contractor can make in 2026.
It proves your health and safety competence & opens doors to contracts. It reduces the burden of pre-qualification. And it builds the kind of trust that wins repeat business.
The CHAS assessment criteria are clear and achievable. With the right preparation and the right support, there is no reason any UK business should fail.
Whether you are applying for the first time, renewing your existing certificate, or upgrading to a higher tier, BizGrow Holdings is here to make the process simple and stress-free.
Do not wait until a contract falls through because of a missing certificate. Take action now.
Visitbizgrow-holdings.com and speak to our compliance team today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the CHAS assessment criteria?
The CHAS assessment criteria are the same as the SSIP Core Criteria, endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). They cover areas including your Health & Safety Policy, Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS), employee training and competence, accident reporting (RIDDOR), monitoring and audit, and subcontractor management. Meeting these criteria proves that your business has the correct health and safety systems in place to work safely on UK contracts.
How to apply for CHAS in the UK?
To apply for CHAS, visit chas.co.uk and create an account on the VeriforceONE portal. Choose the right membership level (Standard, Advanced, or Elite) based on your clients’ requirements. Prepare all your health and safety documents, policy, RAMS, training records, insurance, and accident logs. Upload your documents, complete the assessment questions, and submit. An assessor will review your application and notify you of the outcome, typically within 3–10 working days for well-prepared applicants. Working with a compliance consultant like BizGrow Holdings can significantly speed up this process.
How long does CHAS registration take?
CHAS registration itself (creating your account and entering business details) takes less than an hour. The full assessment and approval process typically takes 3–10 working days for businesses with all their documents ready. If you have documentation gaps or need to make revisions, the process can take several weeks. Preparation is the biggest factor in how quickly you get approved.
When should I renew CHAS?
CHAS accreditation is valid for 12 months from the date of approval. You should begin your CHAS renewal process at least 4–6 weeks before your certificate expires. This gives you enough time to update your documents, get your insurance certificates renewed if needed, and complete the renewal assessment without any risk of your accreditation lapsing. If your certificate expires, you lose your approved status, which can affect active contracts and tender eligibility.
What is CHAS Premium Plus?
CHAS Premium Plus refers to the higher tiers of CHAS membership that go beyond the standard SSIP health and safety assessment. In the current CHAS product range, this broadly corresponds to CHAS Advanced and CHAS Elite. CHAS Advanced covers SSIP plus the former PAS 91 standard. CHAS Elite covers the full Common Assessment Standard (CAS) across 13 areas of risk management, making it the recommended level for public sector contracts. If you are unsure which level you need, BizGrow Holdings can advise you based on your specific clients and contract requirements.