The National Security Inspectorate reports that two NSI Guarding Silver approved companies are the first to achieve the Security Industry Authority’ s (SIA) Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) approval via the Standard route.
Assessments are by Insight Certification Services (parent body of NSI). Buxton and High Peak Security Services Ltd and Risk Management Services (Chiltern) Ltd, have recently received confirmation of their approval from the SIA following their assessments.
The NSI says that although the ACS has its own set of standards, there is overlap between the schemes making the assessment process a relatively simple step to achieve.
Risk Management Services’ MD, Lynda Moore, said: “Having achieved NSI approval through its extremely rigorous standards, procedures and inspections, this helped us to achieve ACS approval, which concentrates on the broader aspects of the business, our clients and employees. We are pleased that Insight Certification Ltd has become an ACS Assessor and has been able to respond so quickly and professionally to companies such as ours, as without doubt it will be difficult for companies to operate without ACS approval.”
John Goodwin, MD of Buxton & High Peak said: “We are pleased to be one of the first Standard route ACS approved companies and could not have achieved this so easily without the benefit of NSI Guarding Silver approval. The dispensation provided for ACS approved companies is essential to operate effectively in today’s security environment. Without this, companies will struggle to maintain an appropriate amount of licensed security staff to meet their customers’ requirements.”
The Standard ACS route, the NSI adds, is for companies that do not operate an ISO 9001 Quality Management system. Tom Mullarkey, NSI and Insight Chief Executive added: “We realise the problems non-ISO 9001 companies will face in the security industry without ACS approval and are doing everything possible to expedite assessments. Fortunately, the high standards these companies have already achieved under the NSI Guarding Silver scheme makes the ACS assessment a straightforward process.”
