Guide
CHAS vs SafeContractor vs SMAS vs Constructionline — which do you actually need?
Four names keep coming up when clients ask for accreditation. This guide explains what each one is, who asks for it, and how to choose without paying for more than you need.
The short answer
Start with what your clients ask for
All four schemes let you prove to clients that your business is properly managed and safe to work with. Three of them — CHAS, SafeContractor and SMAS Worksafe — are health and safety accreditations recognised under SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement), which means most buyers accept any one of them. Constructionline is a wider supply-chain pre-qualification that covers more than health and safety.
So the golden rule is simple: check your target clients' tender documents and get the scheme they name. If they just ask for "an SSIP accreditation", any of the three SSIP schemes will usually do.
Scheme by scheme
What each one is and who asks for it
CHAS
The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme is one of the most widely requested accreditations in UK construction. It comes in three levels — Standard, Advanced and Elite — with Elite covering the Common Assessment Standard used for public-sector work. Our CHAS support starts at £299.
SafeContractor
A contractor health, safety and compliance assessment used by a wide range of commercial clients, including many outside construction. Our SafeContractor support is £359, with SafePQQ at £499.
SMAS Worksafe
An SSIP health and safety pre-qualification widely requested by main contractors, particularly in construction and housebuilding. Our SMAS support starts at £319.
Constructionline
A supply-chain pre-qualification platform rather than a pure health and safety scheme. Bronze and Silver cover the essentials; Gold and Platinum add the Common Assessment Standard and deeper checks. Many public-sector buyers and large contractors use it to build their approved lists. Our Constructionline support starts at £299.
Common questions
Choosing a scheme — FAQs
Do I need more than one accreditation?
Usually not. Because the main schemes are SSIP-recognised, most buyers accept any one of them. The exception is when a specific client names a specific scheme in their tender documents — then you need that one. Constructionline is slightly different: it's a wider supply-chain pre-qualification, not just health and safety, so some contractors hold it alongside an SSIP scheme.
Which scheme is easiest for a first-timer?
They all assess the same fundamentals — your health and safety policy, RAMS, training and insurance — so the preparation work is much the same. The right choice is the scheme your target clients ask for, not the one that looks easiest.
What is the Common Assessment Standard?
The Common Assessment Standard is a wider prequalification standard used by public-sector clients and major contractors. CHAS Elite is one route to it. If you're chasing public-sector or larger main-contractor work, ask us whether you need it before you apply.
Still not sure which scheme you need?
Book a free review. Tell us what work you're chasing and we'll tell you exactly which accreditation you need — and which ones you don't.