A new British Standard has arrived for the UK security industry. If your business supplies or takes on extra staff for security or events work, BS 10119 is something you genuinely need to understand. You can view the official standard directly on the BSI website. This guide breaks down what this standard means, how it relates to COP 119, and why it matters for your business. We’ve written it in simple terms, so any UK security company can follow along easily without needing prior technical knowledge. Moreover, whether you supply labour or purchase it from another provider, understanding BS 10119 helps you avoid compliance gaps before they become real problems for your business.
Which Roles Fall Under the Security Industry
BS 10119 covers many roles across security and events work, including:
- SIA-licensed security officers
- Door supervisors
- Event security personnel
- Crowd-management personnel
- Close protection operatives
- CCTV operators
- Key holding and mobile patrol staff
- Other event-support personnel
However, it doesn’t just check whether you document these processes; it confirms whether your company genuinely follows them in practice. Therefore, assessors will check real personnel files, not just written policies, when they evaluate your BS 10119 compliance.
A Real-Life Example
Imagine a company called “ABC Security” has a large contract requiring 100 guards, but they only have 70 of their own.
Therefore, they bring in the remaining 30 guards from another company, say “XYZ Labour”.
BS 10119 checks whether XYZ Labour has properly:
- Screened those 30 guards (background checks, licences)
- Employed them legally (right to work, PAYE)
- Provided proper training
- Kept accurate records
Why This Certificate Matters
Here’s the real issue: ABC Security delivers the contract to their client, but XYZ Labour, not ABC, actually hired, screened, and trained those 30 extra guards.
So, if something goes wrong, like an unlicensed guard or a missing background check, ABC Security’s reputation and contract face the risk, even though XYZ Labour made the mistake. Consequently, BS 10119 exists to close this gap by giving ABC Security real proof, not just assumptions, that XYZ Labour operates properly.
Who Needs to Check This Certificate
Companies buying labour, like ABC Security, should confirm their labour provider holds valid BS 10119 compliance before they accept any workers. This way, they protect their own contracts and client relationships.
Additionally, clients and principal contractors should also ask whether their security company uses external labour, and if so, whether those labour providers hold proper BS 10119 compliance too, since risk doesn’t disappear just because labour gets outsourced.
BS 10119 vs COP 119 vs NCP 119: Clearing Up the Confusion
These three terms often get mixed up, so let’s break them down simply:
- NCP 119: An older standard, associated with NSI, that focused on managing and controlling security labour
- COP 119: The term most businesses already know, widely used across the industry for labour-provider compliance
- BS 10119: The new, official British Standard, published by BSI in 2026, developed directly from COP 119
Think of it like this: NCP 119 laid the early groundwork, COP 119 became the industry’s go-to standard, and BS 10119 is the next step, an officially recognised British Standard built on that same foundation.
Important: It doesn’t automatically replace COP 119. If you already hold a COP 119 certificate, it doesn’t just switch over to BS 10119 on its own. Instead, you need to contact your certification body directly and ask exactly how your transition will work.
Until then, don’t assume your current certificate has already changed to it. Confirming this early avoids confusion later, especially if a client or tender specifically asks for it.
Is BS 10119 Mandatory
No, it isn’t legally required by law; it’s a code of practice, not legislation. However, many large clients and principal contractors now expect their security suppliers to hold its compliance, even though no legislation demands it.
This means:
- Clients and contracts may still treat it as commercially important
- If a tender asks for it, you won’t be able to bid without certification
So, while the law doesn’t force you to get certified, missing out on this could still cost you real business opportunities, especially as more tenders start listing it as a requirement.
What BS 10119 Covers
Staff screening (background checks)
SIA licence verification
Right to work checks
Training records
PPE (personal protective equipment)
Control over payroll and working hours
Complete documentation and evidence
This standard isn’t just about having the right paperwork. It checks whether your company actually follows these processes in real life, not just on paper. Assessors will look at real personnel files, not just written policies. So, if your documents say one thing but your day-to-day operations do something else, that gap will show up during assessment.
How BizGrow Holdings Supports Your BS 10119 Journey
Understanding a new standard is one thing. Actually putting it into practice across a working security business is another challenge entirely. At BizGrow Holdings, we help UK security and labour-provider businesses prepare for BS 10119 with practical, hands-on support. First, we review your current systems and identify gaps between where you stand and what it expects.
From there, we help you strengthen screening processes, improve licence monitoring, and build the real evidence you need to show genuine compliance, not just paperwork. While cost naturally matters when you’re considering support, real value comes from what you actually gain: stronger systems, smoother assessments, and confidence that your labour supply chain genuinely holds up under scrutiny. For more details, visit BizGrow Holdings, where we list our full range of accreditation and compliance services for UK businesses.
FAQs
1. What is BS 10119?
BS 10119 is a British Standard covering labour provision to the security and events sectors. It sets out best-practice recommendations for supplying extra personnel. Therefore, it helps businesses prove real, working compliance.
2. Does BS 10119 replace COP 119?
Not automatically. This is the new national standard, but existing certificate holders need to confirm transition arrangements. So, always check directly with your certification body.
3. Is BS 10119 mandatory for security businesses?
No, it’s a code of practice, not legislation. However, clients and tenders increasingly treat BS 10119 as commercially essential. Therefore, ignoring it can still cost you real opportunities.
4. Is BS 10119 the same as SIA ACS?
No, they serve different purposes. ACS assesses security contractors, while BS 10119 focuses specifically on labour provision. Consequently, businesses may need both, not just one.
5. Can BizGrow Holdings help with BS 10119 preparation?
Yes, we guide UK businesses through gap analysis and documentation. Additionally, we support full readiness preparation for BS 10119. Our team stays involved from start to finish.
Conclusion
BS 10119 marks a real shift for UK security businesses that supply or use extra labour. Understanding it early helps you avoid gaps that could cost you contracts later. Throughout this guide, we’ve covered what it means, how it differs from COP 119, and why clients increasingly expect it. Remember, this standard checks real practice, not just paperwork. Therefore, don’t wait until a tender demands compliance. Start reviewing your systems now, while you still have time to prepare properly. BizGrow Holdings guides UK security businesses through every step of the preparation, so you build genuine compliance, not just documents.