New from the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) trade body is a ‘probationer membership’ across all 17 sections of membership.
This new probationer membership scheme allows companies that do not have their ISO 9001 certificate yet, but that meet with the rest of the BSIA’s membership criteria, to temporarily join the association on the condition that they will achieve their IS0 9001 certificate, accredited by a UKAS certification body, within 12 months of joining. During that time, the BSIA will provide the company with guidance to help them achieve the certification. Once it’s been achieved, the company will then become a permanent member of the BSIA; however, if after 12 months the certification is not achieved, the company will cease to be a probationer.
Sharon Mughal, Membership Development Manager at the BSIA, says: “Since working at the BSIA, I have found that a large proportion of companies that approach us for membership – who do demonstrate a quality service – turn out to be ineligible due to the absence of the ISO 9001 accreditation. This is not necessarily due to the fact that they haven’t considered the certification, but because they don’t always see it as being a sufficient way to differentiate themselves in the industry – instead, they see BSIA membership as the differentiator. While we still believe the ISO 9001 is an important quality mark, allowing a 12 month probationary period in which to achieve it seemed like a logical decision; one that should also help raise management standards in the wider industry.”
As a probationer member, companies will be able to access some of the benefits of being a BSIA member, including attending section and regional committee meetings with an open meeting policy. They will not, however, have voting rights. To tell them apart from full members of the BSIA, probationer members will also be given their own logo that can be used on their company literature during the 12 months.
To be considered for the scheme, companies must show that their business is financially sound, that their directors are of good repute and that they comply with any British and/or European standards and Codes of Practice relevant to the section they are applying to.
Sharon adds: “It is also important to note that the company must demonstrate that they are looking to attain the ISO 9001 within a 12 month period before applying and being considered for the probationer membership. This, along with our other rigorous membership criteria, helps us to determine whether or not a company is of a reputable standard. The BSIA will work with them intensively during their probationary period, which will allow these already high quality companies to achieve their goal.”
