Build UK Updates Common Assessment Standard for 2025

Build UK has announced the release of Version 5 of the Common Assessment Standard (CAS). For organisations working under the Building Safety Act, it is now a mandatory requirement to complete the question set, under the Building Safety section, when either renewing or going through the certification process with a Recognised Assessment Body.  

Additional updates have also been made to the Corporate and Professional Standing, Environmental, and Fairness, Inclusion & Respect (FIR) sections. 

The Common Assessment Standard (CAS) comprises an industry-agreed question set and corresponding assessment standards for the pre-qualification of suppliers – Build UK.  

Strengths associated with the CAS include its effectiveness and support in reducing supply chain risks. The CAS uses a common set of questions and checks, with organisations only needing to complete one assessment which multiple clients can trust. Additionally, it is a standardised assessment which successfully shows that suppliers meet the basic health & safety, financial, environmental, and ethical standards. 

 Organisations who are CAS-certified are more likely to be considered for work.  

With the release of Version 5, organisations are required to complete the Building Safety section when renewing their certification or when initially going through the certification process.  

Organisations who hold the CAS must renew their certification annually.  

For some major Build UK Contractor Members, it’s been confirmed that they will require their supply chain to have completed the Building Safety section by 01 October 2025. 

Under the Building Safety Act, any organisation appointing staff or subcontractors to carry out work must ensure they are competent. 

ECS is a way of evidencing the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours of individuals and cards can be verified using Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Smart Check solutions. The CSCS is recognised within the competence frameworks for the sector as being the smart tool for personnel certification.  

Access more information on the CSCS Smart Check solutions here.