CONTRACTING - 25.06.2020

Demonstrating green credentials

To satisfy client requirements, many contractors are being asked to go through the Common Assessment Standard (CAS) process. This includes answering questions that relate to environmental management. What’s involved?

Overview

Contractors have been asked to pass assessments that cover health and safety compliance etc. for many years. Companies that are looking for new contractors either send out their own questionnaires or engage a third party, such as Chas, Safecontractor, etc. to do it for them. Previously, the questions were almost exclusively about health and safety. However, with the introduction of the CAS, which is now recognised as an industry standard for contractor assessments, the questions cover a whole range of subjects, including environmental management.

Warning. Many firms are only appointing those who have passed a CAS within the last twelve months.

Do you need an ISO certificate?

Many businesses have been convinced that to pass the CAS, they must have a fully audited environmental management system in place that follows the ISO 14001 standard. This isn’t necessary; however, those that do have a system in place that’s been audited and certified by an external body can pass the environmental part of the CAS just by uploading their most recent certificate.

Tip. Implementing, following and auditing a management system that complies with ISO 14001 requires a far greater commitment, both in financial terms and in management resources than is required to pass the CAS.

What do you need?

There are a number of core requirements to pass the CAS. The first is to have an environmental policy statement (see The next step ). Y our policy must be signed and dated by a director within the last twelve months. Also, it must have your company name (as stated at Companies House) on the document.

Next, you must have appropriate arrangements in place to manage environmental risks. You can satisfy this requirement by detailing management responsibilities (see The next step ).

Communication

The CAS requires evidence that you have checked that your arrangements are effective.

Tip 1. Site audits/inspections are good for this. Just make sure the report makes it clear that you have checked issues such as waste and pollution.

Tip 2. You’ll also need to prove that you have engaged with staff on environmental matters. A completed toolbox talk record on an environmentally related subject, such as waste management will cover this.

Do you have an advisor?

Next you are asked to provide details of anyone who gives you advice on environmental compliance.

Tip. If you use a safety advisor, they should be able to help with this (you will need health and safety support to satisfy the requirements of the safety assessment).

For an environmental policy statement and management responsibilities, visit http://tipsandadvice-environment.co.uk/download (EN 15.02.05).

To satisfy the requirements of the CAS, you must have an environmental management policy and be able to demonstrate that you have arrangements in place to manage risks. You’ll also need to show you have trained staff in your systems and have access to competent advice. Many firms are only using contractors who have passed the CAS.

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