Guidance

ACS approval: Guidance on Standard route assessment dates

Updated 5 October 2023

You must conform to the ACS Standard for the duration of your approval. We check this by requiring you to undergo an annual assessment by an SIA approved assessing body.

This guidance explains how we work out when your annual assessment is due. It also explains what you need to do if you want to change this date.

1. When is your annual assessment due?

You must be assessed within 12 months of your previous assessment. We start counting from the date your previous assessment is completed (usually, the date of the closing meeting).

You have until the end of that month in the following year – so, for example:

• if your previous assessment was on 12 January 2023, your next assessment is due by 31 January 2024
• if your previous assessment was on 21 April 2023, your next assessment is due by 30 April 2024

This applies even if there is a gap between your assessment and approval. For example, if you were assessed in January and we approved you in March, your next assessment is due the following January.

It is your responsibility to arrange the assessment. We can apply sanctions to your business if your assessment is not completed in time. Find out more about the sanctions we can apply.

2. If you need to change the date of your assessment

2.1 Moving your assessment to an earlier date

You can move your assessment to an earlier date if you wish. You do not need our permission to do this.

Moving your assessment to an earlier date will mean that all future assessments will be due by that new date. For example, if your assessment for this year was due in June and you moved it to May, next year’s assessment will be due by 31 May.

2.2 Moving your assessment to a later date

You can move your assessment to a later date if we give you permission to do so. You must request this at least 30 days in advance of the scheduled assessment date.

Your request must include all of the following information:

• the reason for the delay
• an explanation of why the assessment cannot be brought forward
• your proposed new dates for assessment

We will inform you of our decision within 5 working days of receiving your request.

If we grant your request, your next assessment will revert to the originally scheduled date. For example, if your assessment for this year was due in June and we agreed you could delay it until August, next year’s assessment will still be due by 30 June.

2.3 If we refuse your request

We can refuse your request for a delayed assessment. If we do, then you must undertake the assessment by the expected deadline. If you do not, we will withdraw your approval.

Some examples of when we might refuse your request are:

• where you wish to delay your assessment to fit in with the availability of a consultant
• where you wish to delay your assessment so that specific members of staff are available for interview

You can appeal against our decision to refuse your request. Our Senior Manager – Decisions will review the details of your request and our reasons for refusing it. They will tell you within 5 working days of the outcome of your appeal.

[Reference: ACS/23-24/C-025]