Business licencing is coming - are you ready?
All businesses that provide licensable individuals under a contract to supply a security industry service in the United Kingdom will be required to obtain a business licence.
In December 2014, the Home Office said the Government expects the introduction of the statutory licencing of private security businesses to come into force as soon as possible during the next Parliamentary session, which starts in May 2015.
When you apply for a business licence the SIA will consider whether your business is competent to undertake the designated security service/s it intends to supply. One of the ways to demonstrate competence is by obtaining certification to a sector specific scheme that covers the relevant British standards. Full details on these various routes and all other licencing requirements are available from the SIA at www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk.
The conformity assessment body that you choose for assessment and certification must be accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for this purpose. UKAS is the national accreditation body recognised by Government, that quality assures conformity assessment bodies and the certification schemes they deliver.
A number of conformity assessment bodies have developed sector specific schemes for the purpose of business licencing, these are currently being assessed by UKAS – with a confirmed list of accredited assessment bodies expected in due course.
Each sector in which you provide regulated services will need to be included within the scope of your licence application. So if you are currently only approved in some but not all sectors in which you operate then you will need to consider extending the scope of your current approval to ensure that you can meet the conditions for gaining a business licence.
There are many other implications to your business of business licencing and it’s time to start making preparations now.
You will need to demonstrate that you meet regulation criteria and conformance with relevant British Standards – for example BS7499 for Manned Guarding Services and BS8507 for Close Protection etc. Do your employee vetting procedures comply with BS7858? Proposals include that the terms and conditions of business regulation will require a business to ensure a licence application process is carried out for its employees that confirms an employee’s identity, address history, qualifications, and right to work in the UK, currently covered by BS7858.
These are just a couple of examples of what needs to be considered, so it’s time to start reviewing your working practices, making any necessary process changes and putting in place the systems to support these.
Logosoft can support your business in meeting the relevant standards with our product suite of workforce management solutions, designed to streamline your business and operational processes – with over 20 years experience of supplying systems to businesses like yours we can help you meet the impending statutory requirements and ensure business continuity.
Resources: http://www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/Pages/business-licensing.aspx