What is the difference between certification and accreditation?

Certification means your organisation has been independently assessed against a defined standard and issued a formal certificate. Accreditation is the formal recognition that a certification body itself is competent to carry out assessments — typically granted by a national body like UKAS. NAS operates as an independent certification body aligned with ISO/IEC 17021 principles, assessing organisations and issuing formal certificates based on documented evidence.

Do I need certification to work on construction sites in the UK?

There is no legal requirement to hold a specific certification. However, most principal contractors, housing associations, councils, and NHS trusts require evidence of compliance before awarding work. NAS certification provides that evidence — independently assessed and publicly verifiable, with real assessor review of your actual documents.

How much does NAS certification cost?

NAS Basic is £349/year, NAS Bronze is £749/year, NAS Silver is £950/year, and NAS Gold is £1,150/year. Pricing is flat — never scaled by headcount or turnover. Loyalty discounts apply from year 2 (5% rising to 20% by year 5).

How long does NAS certification take?

Most NAS assessments complete within 3-5 working days of evidence submission. The full process from application to certificate typically takes 1-3 weeks.

What is ISO 17021 and why does it matter?

ISO/IEC 17021 is the international standard governing bodies that certify management systems. It requires independent assessors, separation of assessment and decision-making, and evidence-based decisions. NAS operates its certification scheme in alignment with these principles.

How long is NAS certification valid?

NAS certification is valid for one year and is renewed annually. The annual renewal cycle ensures your compliance is kept current. Loyalty discounts apply from year 2.

How to Become Procurement Ready as a Contractor

Quick Answer

How do I become procurement ready as a contractor?

Becoming procurement ready means having current, well-organised compliance documentation that buyers can review before appointing you. This typically includes health and safety policy, insurance certificates, RAMS, workforce training records, data protection documentation and governance policies. NAS certification provides independent verification that your evidence meets a defined standard — making it easier for procurement teams to approve you quickly.

Step 1 — Audit Your Current Compliance Documents

Start by listing the compliance documents your business currently holds and checking whether they are current. Key items to review:

Health and safety policy — dated and signed by a director
Public liability insurance — check the expiry date and indemnity level
Employers liability insurance — required if you have any employees
RAMS documentation — relevant to the type of work you carry out
Workforce training records — CSCS cards, trade-specific certifications

Step 2 — Add the Documentation Buyers Increasingly Expect

Beyond the basics, larger buyers and public sector procurement teams often require:

GDPR / data protection policy
Equality and diversity policy
Environmental policy
Anti-bribery statement
Modern slavery statement (for contracts over £36m threshold, but increasingly requested earlier)

Step 3 — Organise Your Evidence

Procurement teams want to be able to find and verify your documents quickly. Organise your compliance documents in a single, accessible location — whether a shared drive or a compliance management platform. Ensure each document is clearly dated and that you have an expiry monitoring process in place.

Step 4 — Get Independently Certified

Self-declaration of compliance is no longer sufficient for most procurement frameworks. NAS certification provides independent verification that your documents have been reviewed by a qualified assessor and meet the NAS standard. Certified businesses appear on the public NAS register, making them searchable by buyers.

NAS certification is available from £349 per year for NAS Basic, through to £1,150 per year for NAS Gold, which covers 22 compliance areas including Building Safety Act compliance and CAS alignment.

Step 5 — Stay Procurement Ready Year-Round

Procurement readiness is not a one-off exercise. Insurance certificates expire, training records go out of date, and legislation changes. NAS certification is renewed annually, requiring a fresh evidence review each year. This ensures your certification reflects your current compliance position.