The scheme
What the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme is, and who it is for
Updated
SIA licensing covers individuals; the ACS approves the companies that deploy them.
What it is
Companies, not people
The SIA approves private security companies under the ACS, which is different to SIA licensing, where it licenses people.
Source: GOV.UK: learn about the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme
Voluntary
Participation is voluntary, so any company in the scheme has chosen to be, and buyers can search the SIA's register of approved contractors.
Source: GOV.UK: learn about the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme
Keeping it
Conditions and assessment
An approved firm must keep to the scheme's conditions and be assessed every year; the SIA can add specific conditions to an approval.
Source: GOV.UK: keep your ACS approval