Home Office Minister Announces ACS Details

16 February 2006: Home Office Minister, Paul Goggins, today announced further details of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) Approved Contractor Scheme for the private security industry.

From today (16 February 2006), the SIA will start to accept Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) applications and the first approvals are expected in time for the mandatory introduction of SIA licences for the security guarding sectors on 20 March 2006.

There are three possible routes to approval; Standard, Fast Track and Passport. Standard and Fast Track use an ACS Self Assessment Workbook, with subsequent assessment by an SIA accredited assessing body, while Passport is designed to use independent SIA-approved inspection schemes. Standard and Fast Track routes are available now, with Passport at a later date.

Companies granted approval will be entitled to promote themselves as ACS accredited for publicity purposes and will be added to an SIA public register of approved companies.

Home Office Minister, Paul Goggins, said:

"Public safety is a key concern for all of us. The Government and Security Industry Authority are determined to ensure that standards of professionalism in the private security industry are raised.

The Approved Contractor Scheme’s purpose is to protect the public by raising and maintaining performance standards within the private security industry and developing new opportunities. I believe the ACS is not only beneficial to public safety, but will provide customers with a benchmark of quality to give additional confidence in the suppliers they choose."

Full details of the scheme, including registration, application forms and workbook, are available from the SIA website or by emailing acsenquiries@the-sia.org.uk.

You can read the Minister's statement to the House here.