CQMS Accreditation (Construction Quality Management System) is a UK Health and Safety Certification that is a SSIP recognised accreditation body, which is used in construction to demonstrate compliance with health and safety standards.
Once accredited, this confirms that a contractor has:
- A Health and Safety Management System
- Suitable Risk Assessments and Method Statements
- Competent Management Procedures
- Adequate Insurance and Documentation
- Systems to Manage Site Safety and Compliance
What’s covered in our guide?
Who requires a CQMS Accreditation?
The accreditation is mostly required for Main Contractors, Subcontractors, Building Contractors, Civil Engineering Contractors and Specialist Trades who bid for work with:
- Local Authorities
- Housing Associations
- Government Projects
Benefits of CQMS Accreditation
CQMS Accreditation (through the CQMS Safety Scheme) provides a range of benefits for construction and related businesses, especially when it comes to compliance, credibility, and winning work.
Having CQMS accreditation may/can help companies:
- Prove legal compliance
- Win more work
- Improve health & safety systems
- Reduce admin and duplication
- Build credibility and trust
CQMS accreditation provides recognised proof that a company meets health, safety, and business compliance standards, helping it win work and operate safely and efficiently.
Levels of CQMS Accreditation
There are three main CQMS Accreditation levels:
- Health & Safety Module (SSiP) Accreditation
- CQMS Safety Scheme Premium
- CQMS Safety Scheme Elite.
Each offers a different depth of compliance and assessment depending on your business needs.
The Health & Safety Module (SSiP) Accreditation
The Health & Safety Module (SSIP) Accreditation offered through the CQMS Safety Scheme is designed to confirm that a contractor meets the core health and safety standards required under the SSIP framework.
Note: SSIP stands for Safety Schemes in Procurement, represented by the Safety Schemes in Procurement, which allows contractors to demonstrate competence in health and safety management when tendering for work.
Core Health & Safety Documentation Requirements for the CQMS Health & Safety Module (SSiP) Accreditation, includes evidence of:
- Health and Safety Policy
- Risk Assessments
- Method Statements
- Training and Competence
- Accident Reporting and Investigation
- Health and Safety Monitoring
- Insurance Documentation
- Competent Health and Safety Advice
- Subcontractor Management
- Review and Continuous Improvement
Who Should Use the CQMS Health & Safety Module (SSiP) Accreditation?
The CQMS Health & Safety Module (SSIP) Accreditation is used by contractors and businesses that need to prove they have proper health and safety management systems before being allowed to work on construction or commercial projects.
Typical example: A small electrical contractor wanting to work on a large commercial building project may need SSIP accreditation through CQMS before the main contractor will allow them on site.
Certification Validity:
- Valid for 12 months
- Renewal requires updated documentation and reassessment
CQMS Safety Scheme Premium Accreditation
The CQMS Safety Scheme Premium Accreditation from the CQMS Safety Scheme is a higher-level certification based on the Common Assessment Standard (CAS).
It goes beyond basic SSIP health & safety accreditation and includes a wider assessment of your entire business, not just safety.
Core Health & Safety Documentation Requirements for the CQMS Safety Scheme Premium Accreditation, includes evidence of:
- Common Assessment Standard (CAS)
- Expanded Compliance Areas (10 Key Sections)
- Company Identity & Organisation
- Financial Information
- Corporate and Professional Standing
- Health & Safety (SSIP Aligned)
- Environmental Management
- Quality Management
- Building Safety
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (FIR)
- Information Security (GDPR)
- Information Management
- Health & Safety (SSIP Core Criteria)
- Risk assessments
- Method statements
- Training and competence
- Accident reporting
- H&S policies
- Additional Business Modules
- Environmental Management
- Quality Management Systems
- Equal Opportunities & Diversity
- Building Information Modelling (BIM)
- Modern Slavery & Anti-Bribery Policies
Who Should Use the CQMS Safety Scheme Premium Accreditation?
The CQMS Safety Scheme Premium Accreditation is for businesses that want ongoing health & safety support, stronger compliance systems, and help winning and managing contracts, not just a one-off SSIP certificate.
Typical example: A growing subcontractor aiming to work with major housebuilders or principal contractors may choose Premium to ensure they stay compliant, pass audits, and keep winning work.
Certification Validity:
- Valid for 12 months
- Renewal requires updated documentation and reassessment
CQMS Safety Scheme Elite
The CQMS Safety Scheme Elite is the highest level offered by the CQMS Safety Scheme.
It builds on the Premium (Common Assessment Standard) but adds an important extra step: a site-based audit to verify your systems in practice.
Core Health & Safety Documentation Requirements for the CQMS Safety Scheme Elite Accreditation, includes evidence of:
Like Premium, Elite includes full compliance with the Common Assessment Standard (CAS), covering:
- Company Identity & Organisation
- Financial Standing
- Corporate and Professional Standing
- Health & Safety
- Environmental Management
- Quality Management
- Building Safety
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
- Information Security (GDPR)
- Information Management
PLUS The Key Difference
Site-Based Audit
This is the main feature that makes the CQMS Safety Scheme Elite Accreditation different, the on-site audit.
- A CQMS assessor visits your workplace or site
- They check that your policies and procedures are actually being implemented
- It verifies that what you submitted in documents is real and effective in practice
This is a much higher level of assurance than desktop-only assessments.
This, the Audit Verifying Your Working Practices by Reviewing:
- Site Safety Practices
- Use Of PPE and Control Measures
- Supervision and Management Arrangements
- Worker Competence and Training
- Implementation of Risk Assessments and Method Statements
Which proves your systems are not just paperwork, they are actively being followed.
Who Should Use the CQMS Safety Scheme Elite Accreditation?
The CQMS Safety Scheme Elite Accreditation is for established contractors who need to prove not only that they have systems in place, but that those systems are in place on site.
Typical example: A civil engineering contractor working on a major infrastructure project may use Elite accreditation to:
- Meet strict client pre-qualification requirements
- Demonstrate on-site compliance
- Gain approval from Tier 1 contractors
Certification Validity:
- Valid for 12 months
- Renewal requires updated documentation and reassessment
Note: We as a company cannot assist you with the CQMS Safety Scheme Elite Accreditation, as audits are carried out by a CQMS Auditor and therefore you will be required to contact CQMS directly.
Also, if are working for Vistry Homes you will require a VALID CMQS and the additional sections which are required by each home builder – as per their stipulated requirements.
Need Help with Gaining a CQMS Accreditation?
At Watson and Watson Health and Safety Consultants, we deal with CQMS applications on a day-to-day basis, and our professionally qualified team are here to help you throughout the application process.
For more information and assistance Call us on 01623 753 654 or contact us via the online form for a no pressure discussion on your requirements.
NOTE:
Common pitfalls and requirements to obtain a CQMS Accreditation do not phase us, and due to this we back our service up with our Money Back Guarantee. In the unlikely event you do not achieve accreditation, provided you have followed all our advice, implemented the systems, and returned the required evidence, then we will fully refund the monies paid to us. Accreditation body fees are payable directly to them and are in addition to this and so are not refundable.
We as a company cannot assist you with the CQMS Safety Scheme Elite Accreditation, as audits are carried out by a CQMS Auditor and therefore you will be required to contact CQMS directly.
