Looking for a CHAS Alternative? Compare Certification Models in the UK
Understand what CHAS offers, where it fits in UK procurement, and when an independent certification body may better meet your organisation's needs.
What is CHAS?
CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) was established in 1997 and is one of the most widely recognised prequalification schemes in the UK public sector. It enables contractors to demonstrate their health and safety competence to buyers and clients, and is accepted by a large number of local authorities, housing associations and private sector organisations.
CHAS operates on an annual membership and renewal basis. Contractors submit health and safety documentation which is reviewed by the CHAS team. Upon acceptance, organisations receive a CHAS certificate that buyers can verify via the CHAS portal.
CHAS is primarily a prequalification tool. It is designed to reduce the administrative burden of supplier due diligence for buyers, not to provide formal third-party certification under an international assessment standard. This distinction matters when evaluating what level of assurance each scheme provides.
Where CHAS Fits in UK Procurement
CHAS is broadly accepted across:
- Local authority and public sector supply chains
- Housing associations and social landlord procurement
- Construction and trades sub-contractor vetting
- Facilities management supplier databases
- Buyers who have aligned their prequalification requirements with the Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) forum
If a specific buyer requires CHAS and accepts only CHAS, then CHAS is the appropriate choice. However, some buyers require or accept evidence of independent third-party certification beyond health and safety prequalification, which is where a certification body such as NRTAUK operates.
When an Independent Certification Body May Be More Appropriate
An ISO 17021 aligned certification body such as NRTAUK may be more appropriate for your organisation when:
Broader scope is required
Your buyer requires evidence of compliance, governance and operational standards beyond health and safety.
Independent assessment matters
Your client requires certification issued following independent assessment, not internal document review.
Formal certification is specified
Tender documents specify ISO-aligned certification or third-party assessed certification bodies.
International credibility needed
You operate internationally or need certification recognised outside specific UK buyer portals. NRTAUS supports USA operations.
Multiple scheme value
You wish to hold a formal certificate from an independent body alongside existing scheme memberships.
Sector-wide compliance demonstration
You wish to demonstrate organisational maturity across governance, ethics and operations to a broad stakeholder group.
NRTAUK vs CHAS – Structured Comparison
| Feature | NRTAUK | CHAS |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme Type | Independent Certification Body | Prequalification Membership Scheme |
| ISO Alignment | ISO 17021 aligned model | No formal ISO 17021 alignment |
| Assessment Process | Independent assessor evaluates submitted evidence; separate decision manager reviews and decides | Internal review of submitted documents by CHAS team |
| Certificate Type | Formal NAS certificate (Basic, Silver or Gold tier) | CHAS certificate of membership |
| Assessor Independence | Assessors are independent and do not provide consultancy to assessed organisations | Internal review staff |
| Scope of Assessment | Compliance, governance, operational standards, ethics and management | Primarily health & safety compliance |
| Pricing (published) | £749 (Basic) / £950 (Silver) / £1,150 (Gold) | Variable – contact provider for pricing |
| Public Register | Yes – publicly accessible NRTAUK register | Yes – CHAS buyer verification portal |
| USA / International | UK primary; NRTAUS operates for the USA market | UK focused |
Information based on publicly available scheme descriptions. Always verify directly with each provider.
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Explore NRTAUK NAS Certification
NRTAUK provides independent, evidence-based certification for UK businesses. Tiers from £749. Use code STRONG40 for 40% off your initial certification.