Chief Executive Geoff Tate commented: “I am delighted we have received UKAS accreditation to the ACPO/ABI Sector Scheme.
“I am particularly pleased that ACPO and the ABI chose a scheme based on Product Certification, thereby endorsing our approach to regulation, which has traditionally focused on the competence of firms to design, install and maintain security systems in accordance with published standards.”
Mr Tate continued: “The SSAIB intends to continue its focus on the issues which really will improve standards: a rigorous inspection regime operated in a positive manner, designed to encourage compliance.
“This is all supported by staff with many years of experience in the industry.”
The SSAIB said it has always operated essentially a product certification scheme, which has been valued and respected by installers and insurers for a number of years, but the UKAS accreditation gives it the credibility necessary to continue on its development in 2002.
Marketing Manager Henry Lott said this was very exciting time for the SSAIB and its recognised firms.
“The SSAIB has always worked alongside installers and we both have a lot of hard work ahead, ensuring that we gain as much benefit from the accreditation as possible.
“We will be starting a marketing campaign to promote our new status and recognised firms to a wide and varied marketplace.
Positive for other installers
“It is also very positive for other installers, who can choose between UKAS accredited inspectorates for the first time,” Mr Lott concluded.
* The SSAIB was formed in 1994 and has been continually expanding ever since. Early in 2001, other inspectorates – the AISC and Integrity 2000 – announced their merger with the SSAIB. The combined inspectorate retained the name SSAIB.
The SSAIB gained its UKAS accreditation on February 12, confirming the competence of the merged inspectorate.
