DHF Contributes To Build UK’s New Common Assessment Standard
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Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has announced its support for the new Common Assessment Standard, created by representative organisation for the construction industry, Build UK. And, as a member of Build UK, DHF has contributed to its formation.
The new Common Assessment Standard, which has been endorsed by the Construction Leadership Council, means that sub-contractors need only be certified once a year by a single recognised assessment body before tendering for work with main contractors and clients who specify it. This is a significant improvement on the current system where different main contractors insist on their own prequalification questionnaires being completed meaning organisations are forced to duplicate time and effort. Build UK estimates this wasteful process costs the construction industry as much as £1 billion each year.
The Common Assessment Standard, which is regularly reviewed, comprises an industry-agreed question set based on existing PQ questionnaires, including PAS 91, and corresponding assessment standards, with two levels of certification: desktop and site-based. Companies apply to a Recognised Assessment Body for the certification level that is most appropriate for their business based on a range of factors including trade, size, and the requirements of their clients. For businesses that employ fewer than 10 employees and have a turnover of under £1.8 million or a balance sheet total less than £1.8 million, the assessment standards will be applied in a proportionate way. A guide to the question set has been published to help companies prepare for an audit by a Recognised Assessment Body. The Common Assessment Standard has been made possible thanks to a data-sharing agreement with four recognised assessment bodies: Achilles, CHAS, Constructionline and CQMS.
Main contractors using the Common Assessment Standard include Balfour Beatty, Bouygues UK, Clancy Group, HS2, Mace and Sir Robert McAlpine.
“DHF is a great supporter of the Common Assessment Standard and encourages eligible members to sign up to this excellent initiative,” explains DHF’s Head of Commercial Operations, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens. “We have contributed to the questions included in the PQQ (Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire) and hope that members will benefit from a standardised form. This standard goes some way to raising the standards in the industry, so members do not have to complete a series of PQQ’s, the one is shared with all companies signing up to this great initiative. The new approach will transform the prequalification process and make it work better for both suppliers and clients.”
