SSIP policies explained: what an SSIP assessment checks
By the companypolicies.ai team, published by Spire Trade Advisors Ltd · Published · Last updated · 7 min read
In short
SSIP (Safety Schemes in Procurement) sets a common health and safety standard, the SSIP Core Criteria, used by member assessment schemes. An SSIP assessment checks that you have a signed, current health and safety policy, competent advice, training, risk assessments and safe systems of work, accident reporting, subcontractor control and monitoring. Pass with one registered member scheme and others can usually recognise it through Deem to Satisfy.
What SSIP is
SSIP is an umbrella organisation, not an assessment scheme itself. Its member schemes, such as CHAS and SafeContractor, assess suppliers against the same SSIP Core Criteria, which are aligned with HSE guidance. Results are visible on the SSIP Portal, and the Deem to Satisfy arrangement lets one registered member recognise another's assessment, so you shouldn't need repeated full assessments.
SSIP updated its rules and Core Criteria in January 2026 (Version 8.20), with the new requirements applying from 20 April 2026. If your last assessment was before then, expect some questions to have changed.
The SSIP Core Criteria at a glance
- Health and safety policy and organisation: a suitable policy, with the statement of intent signed by the managing director (or equivalent) and dated within the previous 12 months, and clear roles and responsibilities.
- Arrangements: how you manage health and safety day to day.
- Competent advice: access to competent health and safety assistance, in-house or external.
- Training and information: induction, training records and trade qualifications.
- Individual qualifications and experience for key roles.
- Monitoring, audit and review of your arrangements.
- Workforce involvement: consulting staff on health and safety.
- Accident reporting and enforcement action: RIDDOR arrangements and any notices or prosecutions.
- Subcontracting / consulting: how you select and control subcontractors.
- Risk assessment and safe systems of work: recent, site or project-specific risk assessments and method statements, and COSHH assessments where relevant.
- Cooperating with others, welfare provision and hazard elimination, plus CDM duties where you work in construction.
Which policies and documents to prepare
| Criterion | What to have ready | Our template |
|---|---|---|
| Policy and organisation | Signed, dated health and safety policy with responsibilities and arrangements | Health and safety policy |
| Risk assessment | Recent site-specific risk assessments and method statements | RAMS procedure |
| Hazardous substances | COSHH assessments and safety data sheets. Our sister site EasyCOSHH drafts assessments from a product's safety data sheet. | COSHH policy |
| Training | Training matrix, certificates, induction records | Training and competence policy |
| Accident reporting | Accident book / incident log and RIDDOR process | Accident and incident reporting policy |
| Subcontractors | Selection, vetting and monitoring process | Subcontractor and supply chain policy |
| Emergencies and welfare | Emergency, first aid and welfare arrangements | Emergency procedures policy |
Small businesses: what's proportionate
Assessments are meant to be proportionate to your size and the risks of your work. The law only requires a written health and safety policy at five or more employees, and the SSIP Core Criteria allow very small firms (four or fewer people) without written arrangements to describe how they identify hazards and work safely. In practice, having a short written policy and real risk assessments makes the assessment much easier.
SSIP, ISO 45001 and the Common Assessment Standard
- A stand-alone ISO 45001 certificate doesn't meet SSIP on its own; certification bodies that are SSIP members can add the SSIP requirements.
- SSIP covers health and safety only. The Build UK Common Assessment Standard is broader, adding environmental, quality, equality, information security and other sections. See our CHAS, Constructionline and SafeContractor checklist.
Next steps
Get a branded health and safety policy and the supporting procedures, check your tender requirements with the free tender policy checker, or see the quality of our policies with a free tailored Whistleblowing policy. We're not affiliated with SSIP or any member scheme.
Frequently asked questions
What policies do I need for SSIP?
Above all, a health and safety policy whose statement of intent is signed by your managing director (or equivalent) and dated within the last 12 months. Assessors also look for risk assessments and method statements, COSHH assessments where relevant, training records, accident reporting arrangements and subcontractor controls.
What does Deem to Satisfy mean?
If you hold a current SSIP assessment from one registered member scheme, another registered member can recognise it on the SSIP Portal instead of carrying out a full new assessment, although it may ask for some scheme-specific information.
Does SSIP cover environmental or quality policies?
No. SSIP is about health and safety. Environmental, quality and other policies are assessed under broader standards such as the Common Assessment Standard, or asked for directly by buyers.
How long is an SSIP assessment valid?
Typically 12 months, after which you renew. Keep your policy signed and dated within the last year.
Related guides
Sources
- SSIP Core Criteria (SSIP)
- Deem to Satisfy (SSIP)
- SSIP Forum and membership types (SSIP)
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, s.2 (legislation.gov.uk)
- HSE: Preparing a health and safety policy
Written and reviewed by the companypolicies.ai team at Spire Trade Advisors Ltd, using the official sources listed above; last checked 2 October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Procurement rules and guidance change, and individual tenders set their own requirements; always check the procurement documents and current GOV.UK guidance.