Common Assessment Standard Update–May
The Build UK Common Assessment Standard (CAS) continues to play an increasingly important role in demonstrating supply chain capability across the construction sector, with more organisations in both the public and private sectors adopting it as a recognised pre-qualification benchmark.
The Standard is reviewed annually to ensure it remains aligned with current legislation, industry requirements and emerging risks. This process is overseen by the Common Assessment Standard Review Group, which is currently finalising the proposed changes for Version 6, due to be published later this year.
One of the most significant recent developments was the introduction of mandatory Building Safety requirements under Version 5 of the Standard, which came into effect on 1 July 2025. Since then, all companies undertaking design or construction work covered by the Building Safety Act have been required to complete the Building Safety section as part of their certification. The changes were introduced to help organisations demonstrate the “organisational capability” expected under the post-Grenfell regulatory regime and are increasingly being used by contractors and clients as evidence of competence across the supply chain.
Following feedback from members and the Recognised Assessment Bodies, Version 6 is expected to introduce further refinements to the process. Companies that do not undertake work under the Building Safety Act will now “opt out” of the Building Safety section and provide confirmation that the requirements are not applicable to their business. In addition, the competence-based questions currently included within the Building Safety section will move into the Quality section, supported by expanded guidance to help suppliers complete the assessment more consistently and effectively.
The updated version is also expected to reflect wider legislative and compliance developments, including additional requirements linked to fraud prevention and information security, areas that are becoming increasingly important within procurement and supplier assurance processes.
The Common Assessment Standard was originally developed to reduce duplication and administrative burden across the industry by creating a single, recognised approach to pre-qualification. Once a company has been certified by one Recognised Assessment Body, there is no requirement to undergo certification again with another provider. Instead, businesses can choose to share their assessment data free of charge across the network of Recognised Assessment Bodies, making their certification visible to a wider range of contractors and clients.
Build UK states that a growing number of major organisations, including leading contractors, infrastructure programmes and public sector clients, now specify the Common Assessment Standard across their supply chains as part of broader efforts to improve consistency, competence and building safety compliance. Certified companies are also able to use the Common Assessment Standard logo across their websites and communications materials, with the latest version available directly from their Recognised Assessment Body.
