NSI, the National Security Inspectorate, has been re-appointed (subject to contract) as an assessing body for the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) and as a provider of a “Passport” route to ACS from April 2017.
NSI reports that it provides assessment services to a variety of guarding services providers, from small and local, specialist operators to many of the largest national operators. Most have chosen to hold NSI Guarding Gold with integrated NSI passport to ACS approval. This provides a way for businesses wanting to show commitment to the holistic values embodied in the ACS, and the rigour of compliance with British Standards and the ISO 9001 standard for quality management systems (QMS). The inspectorate adds that the ‘passport’ route to ACS approval also provides cost benefits in holding multiple approvals with NSI. A popular arrangement, typically for more regional providers, is to appoint NSI to conduct assessments as part of their ACS standard route approval.
Now NSI is offering these companies a new middle way; NSI Guarding Silver with NSI’s passport to ACS. This means companies can now ‘upgrade’ to an NSI Guarding Silver approval with Passport to ACS approval, showing compliance with British Standards above the standard ACS, without necessarily seeking approval to ISO 9001 (QMS).
The NSI describes this as a stepping stone for companies wanting to differentiate themselves from standard route ACS and give buyers more confidence in ‘commitment to compliance’ with British Standards.
Having worked with the SIA since 2006, NSI is now looking forward to the ‘next 11 years’ with this. NSI says it’s now providing more choice in how companies obtain the approval that suits business needs and gain true added value guidance from NSI’s full-time auditors.
Having completed over 1000 assessments on behalf of the SIA since the ACS was introduced in 2006, NSI’s nine-strong Services Auditor Team have an understanding of the sector’s Standards and the issues facing the industry.
Margaret Durr, NSI Head of Field Operations (Services) says: “Our team of auditors has industry expertise across a broad range of areas including Security Guarding, Close Protection, Keyholding, CCTV, Door Supervision, Event Security and Investigative Services. Feedback from our clients is testament to the added value independent assessment can bring to an organisation. The ultimate winners are buyers and their staff, visitors and the general public using their services, who benefit from a consistent, measurable high quality service, providing real return on investment. In turn, Security providers interested in the ACS or NSI’s sector-specific approval schemes can be assured of a professional and positive experience with NSI that supports continual improvement goals.”
And Max Linnemann, NSI’s Head of Certification Services says: “We are delighted the SIA has renewed our ACS assessment delivery contract and look forward to continuing to work with organisations providing licensable services with a first class and friendly service. Margaret and her team of Services auditors demonstrate industry leading competence and experience delivering quality ACS audits.”
Pictured left to right at NSI base in Maidenhead are Max Linnemann, NSI’s Head of Certification Services and Margaret Durr, NSI Head of Field Operations (Services).
