The Common Assessment Standard (CAS) was introduced by Build UK and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) in 2019 to standardise and streamline the pre-qualification process which reduces cost, saves time and improves efficiency.
CAS is an industry-agreed question set designed to help manage risk across a wide range of criteria. It’s a comprehensive standard that builds on the PAS 91 pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) and has fast become the industry gold standard for pre-qualification.
The government through its procurement office recently released Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 03/23 which mandates that on all public sector contracts (funded by the public purse) PAS 91 or CAS is to be used as the pre-qualification route.
It’s worth noting that the rules to requiring PAS 91 or CAS only apply if the thresholds on the Public Contract Regulations (2015) are exceeded. See section 14 of the PPN 03.23.
To make it easier to complete, CAS is made up of ten key sections, take a look below to see how these are broken down.
This section confirms the basic details of your business, such as your company name, registered address, and contact information. It also asks about your legal structure, ownership, and any relevant accreditations or certifications you hold.
This section assesses your financial stability and ability to manage financial risks. You’ll be asked to provide information on your turnover, profitability, credit history, and insurance coverage. This helps to demonstrate your financial health and ability to meet your contractual obligations.
This section examines your company’s history, track record, and professional standing. It may ask about your experience in the industry, any previous projects you’ve undertaken, and any professional memberships or affiliations you have. This helps to establish your credibility and expertise.
This section focuses on your Health & Safety management systems. It asks about your policies, procedures, and risk assessments, as well as your approach to training, incident reporting, and worker wellbeing. This demonstrates your commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.
This section explores your environmental management practices. It asks about your policies, procedures, and performance in areas such as waste management, pollution prevention, and carbon reduction. This shows your dedication to minimising your environmental impact.
This section examines your quality management systems. It asks about your policies, procedures, and processes for ensuring the quality of your work. This demonstrates your ability to consistently deliver high-quality products and services.
This section assesses your commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace. It asks about your policies and practices related to recruitment, training, promotion, and preventing discrimination. This shows your commitment to creating a fair and inclusive workplace.
This section explores your approach to corporate social responsibility. It may ask about your ethical business practices, community engagement, and efforts to promote sustainability. This demonstrates your commitment to being a responsible business that contributes positively to society.
This section assesses your information security management systems. It asks about your policies and procedures for protecting sensitive data, preventing cyberattacks, and complying with data protection legislation. This shows your commitment to safeguarding information.
This section focuses specifically on your compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It asks about your data processing activities, data subject rights, and data security measures. This demonstrates your commitment to protecting personal data.
CAS is used in government frameworks and a growing list of organisations are now requesting the standard including:
Contractors and businesses of all sizes can take the Common Assessment Standard and it works like many other certification schemes carried out by a recognised assessment body. The assessment can be carried out online and certification is awarded after all requirements are met. Businesses that achieve the Common Assessment Standard are then certified once a year. Here’s a breakdown of the steps:
Achieving Common Assessment Standard (CAS) certification significantly boosts your chances of securing valuable contracts. Having CAS certification can open doors to a wider range of tender opportunities. It can also reduce the need to complete multiple pre-qualification questionnaires, saving time and effort.
With government guidance mandating PAS 91 or CAS for public sector contracts, holding CAS certification ensures your business remains eligible for key projects. This is particularly crucial for businesses bidding on publicly funded work.
Being CAS-certified reassures clients, stakeholders, and supply chain partners that your business meets the highest industry standards. This can help you stand out from competitors and open up opportunities to work with major contractors and public sector bodies.
The comprehensive CAS question set, divided into ten key sections, covers critical areas of compliance, including Health & Safety, environmental management, and financial stability. This structured approach provides main contractors and public sector buyers with confidence that risks are effectively managed throughout the supply chain.
The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced stricter safety and compliance measures, particularly for higher-risk buildings. CAS certification helps businesses align with these new legal requirements by ensuring they have robust safety, quality, and risk management systems in place. By demonstrating compliance with industry-recognised standards, organisations can mitigate legal risks and grow their reputation as responsible contractors.
Clients and principal contractors require assurance that their supply chain partners meet strict industry benchmarks. CAS certification demonstrates that your organisation adheres to best practices, providing confidence in your ability to deliver projects safely and efficiently.
The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced significant reforms to improve safety standards, particularly in high-risk buildings. The legislation places greater responsibility on contractors, developers, and building owners to manage safety risks effectively throughout a building’s lifecycle.
The Common Assessment Standard (CAS) aligns with the principles of the Act by promoting high standards in key areas such as health & safety, quality management, and risk mitigation. By obtaining CAS certification, businesses demonstrate that they have the necessary policies, procedures, and governance in place to meet the Act’s requirements.
One of the key aspects of the Building Safety Act is accountability. The CAS framework supports this by requiring businesses to document their safety processes, training programmes, and risk management strategies. This structured approach helps organisations maintain compliance with legal obligations while fostering a culture of responsibility.
Under the new regulatory framework, clients and principal contractors are increasingly prioritising supply chain partners who meet rigorous safety and quality benchmarks. CAS certification helps businesses stand out by validating their commitment to safe working practices and regulatory compliance.
