BSIA, Skills for Security and NSI unite in seeking new 'differentiating' standard for guarding service provision

10 Nov 09

Hot on the heels of the launch of the Contract Quality Marque comes the news that the three major private security industry bodies – the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) and Skills for Security – have announced another important initiative aimed at creating a high-level operational standard for companies wishing to demonstrate a significant and verifiable difference in the guarding services they provide.

By Brian Sims

When finalised, the new standard will complement the Contract Quality Marque and is further evidence of the organisations' strong belief in the future of the sector.

The organisations have each appointed senior representatives to sit on a Steering Group chaired by VSG’s chairman Bill Muskin, who's also the current chairman of the BSIA's Security Guarding Section Committee. Their aim is to reach agreement on a forward-looking standard which will be awarded to any guarding company once the company has passed an appropriate inspection.

The standard will cover operational matters including - but not limited to - specific assignment training, company infrastructure, compliance with the Working Time Directive, standards of equipment and supervision and consistency of service and support delivery.

Comment from Bill Muskin

Speaking about the initiative, Bill Muskin commented: "While the introduction of the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) by the Security Industry Authority was, and remains, an important development for the industry, and gives some element of differentiation from other companies not in the scheme, we believe that there is a strong case – and a strong appetite from many – for a much more definitive, operationally-based standard."

Muskin went on to state: "We see the ACS as very much the entry point for companies wanting to improve quality and customer service. This new standard is intended to challenge companies to aim higher and will, unequivocally, require compliance with, and inspection to, all relevant British Standards. This will then become a benchmark of difference, and will offer a real advantage for those solutions providers that meet it and for those who purchase from them."

The Steering Group intends to commence what is described as "the widest consultation ever undertaken on a security guarding standard" in order to ensure that both the detail and the intent reflects the needs of customers, practitioners, external stakeholders and the supplying companies themselves.

Even at this early stage, the Steering Group stresses that the new standard will be voluntary and duly available to all companies involved with guarding service provision.