The SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is a program designed to ensure that security services businesses meet certain quality standards and are considered trustworthy and reputable. Companies voluntarily apply to become approved contractors under this scheme and undergo assessments to determine their compliance with specified criteria. These criteria typically include factors such as professionalism, training standards, adherence to relevant laws and regulations, and ethical conduct. The scheme may involve criminality checks to verify the integrity of the individuals involved in the business. Once approved, contractors are recognised as meeting the required standards, which can enhance their credibility and reputation in the security industry.

The process for becoming an approved contractor under the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) involves application submission, documentation review, internal and external audits, approval decision, and ongoing compliance checks.

The duration it takes to obtain Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) accreditation can vary depending on several factors, including the readiness of the applying company, the complexity of its operations, and the efficiency of the assessment process. Our consultancy is for 3 months. However, the typical timeframe for obtaining ACS accreditation depending on awarding body (It can take 3 months to one year to get ACS Certified).

To be approved under the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS), a company needs to fulfill these requirements:

1. 🛑 Have a minimum of 12 months of direct contracts with clients.
2. 🛑 Employ at least two individuals directly on its payroll.
3. 🛑 Ensure that these two employees have completed 72 hours per week.

It’s renewed on an annual basis. Renewal of ACS accreditation involves a thorough review by the SIA, which may include audits, inspections, and documentation checks. If a company fails to meet the standards during the renewal process, it may risk losing its ACS accreditation.