ACS Terms and Conditions finally rubber-stamped by Home Office

The Government has finally published the long-awaited detailed terms of its Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) for security providers in the private sector, but the fact that it has taken 12 weeks to do so post-closure of the Regulatory Impact Assessment and public consultation periods has led many corporate clients and their security contractors to question efficiencies at Marsham Street, writes Brian Sims.

The Home Office's completed industry briefing was issued on Thursday 16 February, the same day that the Security Industry Authority (SIA) began to accept ACS applications. An official statement from the SIA reads: "The first approvals are expected in time for the mandatory introduction of SIA licences for the security guarding sector on 20 March 2006."

There are three possible routes to approval: Standard, Fast Track and Passport. Standard and Fast Track employ an ACS Self-Assessment Workbook (with subsequent assessment by an SIA-accredited assessing body), while the Passport option makes use of independent, SIA-approved inspection schemes. Standard and Fast Track routes are available now, with the Passport option to be introduced at a later date. Full details are available on the ACS Section of the SIA's web site at www.the-sia.org.uk or by sending an e-mail to: ACSenquiries@the-sia.org.uk

Contractors taking the Standard route to ACS approval must first register on the SIA's web site and then download the Workbook. Scores and summary evidence should be recorded in the online Achievement Record and an ACS Application Pack requested. Having sent this off with the relevant fee, it's then a case of choosing an assessment body from the SIA-approved list such that self-assessment may be verified.

The Fast Track scheme may be chosen if a given contractor holds ISO 9001:2000 certification from a UKAS-accredited certification body and conforms with the relevant British Standards (BS 7858:2004, BS 7960:2005, BS 7499:2002, BS 7984:2001, BS 7872:2002 and BS 7958:2005). Verification must be completed within 12 months, possibly via a Passport scheme when available.

According to the SIA statement, there will be a one-off application fee of between £400 and £2,400 (the fee being dependent on the size of the company) and an annual registration fee (following approval) of £20 per licensable employee. So-called ‘micro' guarding companies - ie those with less than 10 employees - will pay £400. Small contractors, with between 10 and 25 operatives, pay £800 and medium-sized enterprises (with 26 to 250 employees) £1,600. Large contractors will be charged £2,400.

Post-20 March, companies achieving ACS status will be allowed to deploy up to 15% of their security personnel who are not yet licensed by the SIA but who have completed their training, attained their qualifications and have had their licence application accepted by the Regulator for processing. Those companies granted approval will be entitled to promote themselves as ACS accredited, and will be added to an SIA Public Register of approved contractors.

Commenting on the announcement, Paul Goggins stated: "The Approved Contractor Scheme is not only beneficial to public safety, but will provide customers with a benchmark of quality in the suppliers they choose."

All applications will be reviewed against a specific set of requirements. The required percentage of deployed staff must hold an SIA licence. All directors of a given company must be ‘fit and proper' persons not currently disqualified from being a director. All licensable directors must hold a valid SIA licence, while all accreditations have to be verifiable.

Since 20 January, 71 ‘high risk' security companies have been visited as part of ‘Operation Forewarn' (News Update, SMT, February 2006, p7). The latest round of company visits took place on Friday 17 February, with 19 companies targeted.

With the licensing deadline fast approaching, the SIA has had to employ in excess of 30 additional staff and set up a new unit to deal with the deluge of last-minute applications. Meeting rooms at 50 Broadway have become temporary Application Units.