A look at the approved contractor scheme – prospect of level playing field Finishing our two-part look at the Government's ‘partial regulatory impact assessment' on the SIA's approved contractor scheme (ACS). The document does say that among the SIA's aim is “to strengthen the extended police family by encouraging and supporting further engagement of the private security industry. The scheme could be a key contributor in helping the police to tackle crime and disorder and reducing the fear of crime.” It does not go into more detail. The document does suggest a market where ACS-approved guarding firms are the norm: “In the longer term, it is possible that most companies in the industry will be approved contractors and therefore there will be little effect on competition. Companies will continue to compete, as before, on price, value and other benefits to clients. The difference the scheme makes is to define a new minimum standard, or a new ‘level playing field' for companies to operate within.” First year passport Why have another guard standard, another hoop to jump through? The document admits there are many standards in use in guarding, including ISO9000:2000, IiP (Investors in People), BS7858 (for manned guarding), BS7960 (door staff), NSI gold and silver schemes and other British Standards. The document says: “There is wide support for the concept of ‘passporting' into ACS, requiring no additional inspections for companies with certain accreditations.” But such ‘passporting' might only be allowed for the first year, because of purchaser and guarding fears that ‘inappropriate' firms could join the scheme. Sub-contractors What of the loop-hole that approved contractors can sub-contract to guarding companies that aren't approved? They've thought of that one. The document says: “It is proposed that after the first year of the scheme's operation, all sub-contractors used by approved contractors should themselves be approved contractors. Otherwise companies could use unapproved sub-contractors while implying to clients that the contracts are being run under the scheme.” Register The document proposes a user group of ACS-accredited companies to give feedback to the authority. The SIA will provide a register of approved contractors for purchasers: “Over time, this could lead to increased market share for approved contractors providing mainstream security services ... Insurance companies might offer discounts to approved contractors and their clients if it can be demonstrated that the risk of loss or the number of claims is lower. The SIA will be discussing the feasibility of this with industry representatives.” Download the document in full at ‘publications' at www.the-sia.org.uk Story provided by UK publication  | 
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