NATIONAL Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) will launch its Common Assessment Standard (CAS) at ScaffEx24 next month.
The initiative is designed to reduce the burden of subscriptions to multiple generic accreditations, streamlining the pre-qualification process for NASC members.
Currently, when tendering for larger scaffolding contracts, NASC explained that scaffolding and access contractors are required to complete a selection or pre-qualification questionnaire through one of several assessment bodies, including Achilles, CHAS, and Construction Line. With the introduction of the CAS, these services will become redundant, allowing NASC members to meet all their Common Assessment Standard obligations through a single process via the NASC audit.
NASC members who currently meet various accreditations will be required to answer no additional questions to those being asked and will only need to complete the NASC audit process with the additional question set from the CAS.
The trade body has recently achieved ISO9001 and ISO14001, which is a step towards being recognised as an assessment body, leading to NASC members being able to rely on NASC to provide their CAS certification from Q2, 2025.
The Common Assessment Standard is backed by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and replaced PAS91 schemes in March this year for the basis of government (local and national) procurement.
The official launch of the NASC Common Assessment Standard will take place at ScaffEx24, where NASC members will be able to access a special introductory offer, and industry professionals will have the opportunity to learn more about how this new system will work for scaffolding contractors across the UK.
