Common Assessment Standard

CHAS Elite membership

Join the Common Assessment Standard.

Backed by Build UK and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), the Common Assessment Standard (CAS) is the construction industry’s benchmark for pre-qualification.

CHAS Elite enables you to complete all 13 areas of risk management in one consistent, recognised assessment, supported by the team that helped set the standard in the first place.

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What is the Common Assessment Standard?

Recognised industry-wide, CAS is designed to standardise the pre-qualification process, helping clients and contractors find reliable business opportunities while improving supply chain efficiency and reducing risks.

CAS builds on the former PAS 91 Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, helping contractors achieve compliance and mitigate risks across 13 key areas of risk management in a single, consistent assessment. You can find out more about these areas below.

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What does the Common Assessment Standard cover?

CAS is the most comprehensive assessment programme we offer, covering 13 key areas of risk management that can help reduce potential issues and strengthen compliance across the whole supply chain.

1. Identity

General information about your company is used to verify you’re legally able to operate in the UK. This includes your company contact details, registration and size.

2. Financial

The assessment checks you’ve taken steps to reduce financial risks, and collects any required supporting documentation.

3. Insurance

Business insurances are a legal requirement. Having the right level of cover allows your business to keep running – even when things go wrong.

4. Corporate and professional standing

CAS will look into your standing with questions relating to criminal activity, corruption, terrorism and human trafficking.

5. Health and safety

A huge amount of importance rests on health and safety. You’ll need to demonstrate that your company has taken steps to protect workers, site visitors and the public from harm.

6. Environmental

You’ll be asked whether your company has taken the necessary steps to meet environmental management standards and reduce the environmental impact of projects.

7. Quality

Quality assurance can reduce risks involved in projects, so CAS requires confirmation that your company meets quality management standards.

8. Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)

The assessment will confirm your company promotes equality and diversity in the workplace and that all people are treated fairly.

9. Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

CAS considers how your company impacts society, so you’ll need to answer questions about your CSR policy.

10. Information security

You’ll need to demonstrate your company is protecting personal data in line with the GDPR.

11. Information management

Questions will explore how your company develops, manages and controls design information, if applicable.

12. Anti-bribery and corruption

CAS checks you’ve implemented procedures to prevent persons within or associated with your organisation from receiving bribes or bribing others.

13. Modern slavery

You’ll need to confirm your organisation has taken steps to assess and manage slavery and human trafficking risks.

How is the assessment carried out?

There are two levels of certification. Both involve completing a set of pre-qualification questions covering the above areas, while providing supporting documents and evidence for your answers.

Full desktop assessment

Your CHAS assessor will review the information you provide and check it against the relevant assessment standard. This will be done remotely, without any site visits.

CHAS Assured on-site audit

The CHAS Assured on-site audit will check you are implementing the policies and procedures submitted during the desktop assessment by sampling live documents on site.

Assessments will be carried out by CHAS once a year, to ensure you stay compliant. To maintain certification you’ll need to update time-critical documents, like insurance certificates, company policies and risk assessments, when they expire or when changing circumstances affect their validity and relevance.

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Who does the Common Assessment Standard apply to?

CAS helps companies of all sizes, in construction and related industries, achieve and demonstrate compliance to industry-recognised standards.

For businesses with fewer than five employees and a turnover of less than £500,000, CAS offers streamlined assessment criteria to make certification more accessible.

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The benefits of the Common Assessment Standard

Both clients and contractors benefit significantly from CAS, with compliance across a wide range of risk management areas unlocking a variety of business advantages:

Achieve compliance and meet the requirements

CHAS provides support and guidance to help you achieve compliance without having to deal with multiple assessment bodies. When you join CHAS, our experts can guide you through the process from start to finish. You’ll also have access to training and support to ensure you’re fully prepared for the assessment.

Advertise your compliance to potential clients

By completing CAS, you demonstrate your commitment to risk management to customers, clients and employees. There are already over 2,500 clients using the CHAS client portal to source new, compliant contractors.

Pre-qualify for valuable tenders

Contractors who complete their assessment through CHAS will pre-qualify for a range of opportunities that can help you win more tenders and grow your business. Your business profile will be listed on our client portal and your CAS compliance will help maximise your visibility.

Improve your supply chain

Clients can benefit from improved supply chain efficiency, enhanced control and reduced risks. Pre-qualified contractors can be selected by region, skillset and more, plus there are real-time notifications and alerts if a contractor’s compliance lapses anywhere in your supply chain.

CHAS Elite exclusive member benefits

As a CHAS member, we’ll help you achieve compliance with health and safety standards in the fastest and most efficient way possible. We’ll also give you access to a growing bank of exclusive CHAS benefits to help you grow your business and win more work.

24/7 helpline and downloadable templates

Get round-the-clock access to a health and safety, HR and environmental helpline. You can also download over 100 templates, step-by-step guides and model policies.

Discounted training resources

Keep your workforce trained and up to date, with discounted eLearning courses through Human Focus.

Exclusive deals and offers

Reduce operational costs by saving up to 10p per litre of fuel across supermarkets and motorway service stations, with a fuel card from Fuel Card Services.

Free HandsHQ trial

Claim a free one-month trial of HandsHQ and start creating professional Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) quickly and easily online.

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Make joining faster and easier with CHAS Assist

If you’re up against a deadline, or just want some extra support, CHAS Assist is here to help.

One of our experts will give you a call to arrange a time that suits you. They’ll guide you through the assessment, providing the templates, documents and advice you need along the way.

Your initial assessment can be completed within two working days of submission, so you can move forward with confidence.

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VeriforceONE. Your portal to all things CHAS.

VeriforceONE is our dedicated portal for contractors. It brings together everything you need to manage your account and view your live compliance status in one place.

Access and upload documentation and assessments.
Update your compliance progress and download certificates.
See feedback from your CHAS assessor.
Take advantage of additional benefits, including exclusive discounts and free resources.
Monitor, assess and renew your membership.

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