How to get CHAS or SMAS accreditation: a guide for small contractors
What CHAS and SMAS require, why applications fail, and how to make sure your business is ready before you apply.
CHAS and SMAS are two of the most widely recognised contractor health and safety accreditation schemes in the UK. Holding one tells principal contractors and clients that your business has been independently assessed and meets a recognised standard for health and safety management.
But many small contractors fail their first application, or delay applying for months, simply because they cannot find the right documents when they need them. This guide explains exactly what CHAS and SMAS require, and how to make sure your business is ready before you apply.
What is CHAS?
CHAS — the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme — is one of the original and most widely recognised pre-qualification schemes for contractors in the UK. It is a member of SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement), meaning a CHAS certificate is accepted by most clients in place of their own health and safety pre-qualification questionnaire.
What is SMAS?
SMAS Worksafe is another SSIP member scheme, widely accepted as equivalent to CHAS. It is often considered a more straightforward application process and is particularly popular with sole traders and small businesses due to its competitive pricing. Both are recognised by most principal contractors and public sector clients.
What do you need to apply?
1. A written health and safety policy
You must have a written health and safety policy signed by a director or senior manager. Both CHAS and SMAS require it regardless of company size. It should cover your statement of intent, who is responsible for H&S, and how you manage it in practice.
2. Risk assessments
You need at least two or three completed risk assessments covering your main activities — job-specific, not generic templates with nothing filled in.
3. Employers' liability insurance
Legally required if you employ anyone. Minimum £5 million cover. Must be current.
4. Public liability insurance
Minimum £2 million, though most clients require £5 million or more. Certificate must be current.
5. Evidence of competency and training
- CSCS cards or trade-specific competency cards
- Evidence of relevant trade qualifications
- Records of toolbox talks or safety briefings
- Current first aid at work or emergency first aid certificate
6. Accident records
Your accident history for the last three years, including any RIDDOR-reportable incidents. A clear accident book — even showing no incidents — demonstrates proper management.
Why do applications fail?
The most common reasons are not genuine non-compliance — it is that businesses cannot produce the evidence when asked:
- Insurance certificate has expired and the renewal has not been filed
- Risk assessments are generic templates rather than completed documents
- Health and safety policy is unsigned or out of date
- CSCS or competency cards for workers have expired
- No record of toolbox talks or training
How Complys helps you get accreditation-ready
Complys does not apply for CHAS or SMAS on your behalf — but it does everything that makes the application straightforward:
- Store all your documents in one place — insurance certificates, H&S policy, risk assessments, training records and worker cards
- Track expiry dates automatically — alerts before your insurance, CSCS cards or first aid certificates run out
- Build RAMS quickly — AI RAMS builder generates job-specific risk assessments in minutes, ready to submit as evidence
- Check your readiness — the Growth plan includes a CHAS and SMAS readiness report showing exactly what you have and what is missing
How much does it cost?
- CHAS: From around £160/year for sole traders, up to £500+ for larger companies
- SMAS: From around £99/year for sole traders
Both are annual renewals. Once you hold one SSIP-recognised accreditation, most clients will accept it in place of another.
Key takeaways
- CHAS and SMAS are both SSIP-recognised — holding one means most clients accept it in place of the other
- Main requirements: written H&S policy, completed risk assessments, current insurance, worker competency evidence, accident records
- Most failed applications are due to missing or out-of-date documents, not genuine non-compliance
- Complys keeps all your compliance documents in one place with automatic expiry alerts, so you are always application-ready
Complys keeps your health and safety policy, risk assessments, insurance certificates and worker documents in one place — so when you apply for CHAS or SMAS, everything is ready to go.