SafeContractor, CHAS, Constructionline — Which One Do You Actually Need?

If you've ever tried to get onto a client's approved contractor list, you've probably been asked for one of three things: SafeContractor, CHAS or Constructionline. Maybe all three. And your immediate question was probably: "Which one do I actually need? And do I really need all of them?"

The answer depends on who your clients are and what sector you operate in. Let's break down what each scheme offers and how to decide.

What Are These Schemes?

SafeContractor, CHAS (the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) and Constructionline are all contractor pre-qualification schemes. They assess your health and safety management (and in some cases, other areas like environmental management and quality) to verify that you meet a defined standard. Once accredited, you appear on the scheme's database, which clients use to find pre-approved contractors.

All three are members of SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) — a mutual recognition forum that means accreditation with one SSIP member scheme should be recognised by clients who require any other SSIP member scheme. In theory.

CHAS

CHAS was one of the first contractor assessment schemes and remains one of the most widely recognised, particularly in construction and public sector procurement. CHAS accreditation verifies that your health and safety policy, risk assessments, training arrangements, and management systems meet a defined standard.

CHAS offers tiered accreditation: CHAS Standard covers the basics, CHAS Advanced adds environmental and quality management, and CHAS Elite is the top tier with additional requirements around social value and modern slavery. The assessment is desk-based — you submit your documentation and a qualified assessor reviews it.

CHAS is particularly strong in construction, local government, social housing and facilities management. If your clients are in these sectors, CHAS is often the first scheme they'll ask about.

SafeContractor

SafeContractor operates on a similar model to CHAS: desk-based assessment of your health and safety documentation against a defined standard. It's widely used across multiple sectors including construction, manufacturing, food and beverage, utilities, retail and property management.

SafeContractor's strength is its breadth of acceptance. It's recognised by many large organisations across diverse sectors, and its online portal makes the application and renewal process relatively straightforward.

Pricing is typically based on company size and turnover, and the accreditation is valid for one year, with annual renewal.

Constructionline

Constructionline is slightly different. Originally created by the UK government as a pre-qualification database for construction contractors, it's now owned by Capita and serves as both a pre-qualification register and a procurement platform. It's particularly strong in public sector procurement and major construction projects.

Constructionline offers Gold and Platinum levels, with the higher tier including more rigorous assessment of management systems. It also integrates PAS 91 (the common assessment standard for construction procurement), which is a requirement for many public sector construction projects.

If you work in construction and want access to public sector contracts, Constructionline is often non-negotiable.

SSIP Mutual Recognition — Does It Work?

In theory, SSIP mutual recognition means that if you hold one SSIP-member accreditation, clients requiring a different SSIP-member scheme should accept yours. All three schemes discussed here are SSIP members.

In practice, it's not always that simple. Some clients specify a particular scheme by name and won't accept alternatives, regardless of SSIP mutual recognition. Large organisations may have contractual requirements that mandate a specific scheme. And the detail of what each scheme assesses varies, so a client may feel that one scheme's assessment is more rigorous than another's.

That said, SSIP recognition is improving and many procurement teams now accept any SSIP-accredited scheme. It's always worth asking the question before paying for a second or third accreditation.

So Which One Do You Need?

The honest answer: whatever your clients ask for. There's no objectively "best" scheme — they all assess broadly similar things and all provide a credible statement of your health and safety competence.

If you work primarily in construction and public sector projects, Constructionline is often essential, with CHAS as a strong second option.

If you work across multiple sectors and want the broadest possible acceptance, SafeContractor is a solid choice.

If you work primarily with local authorities, housing associations and facilities management clients, CHAS is typically the most requested.

If you're not sure, ask your top five clients what they accept. That'll tell you which scheme gives you the best return on investment.

Getting Ready for Accreditation

All three schemes require you to demonstrate competent health and safety management. At minimum, you'll need a current health and safety policy, relevant risk assessments, evidence of employee training and competence, employer's liability insurance, and documented procedures for key activities.

If your health and safety documentation is well-organised and current, the accreditation process is straightforward. If it's not, the application process will quickly expose the gaps — and it's better to fill those gaps before you apply rather than having your application rejected.

A safety management system, even an informal one, makes the accreditation process significantly easier and increases your chances of first-time approval.

Need help getting your safety management in order? Get an SMS Consultation →

York Green Safety Partners helps businesses build the safety management foundations needed for contractor accreditation. Based in Cheshire, covering the whole of the UK.