Here we answer the frequently asked questions for members, organisers, venues and local authorities.
Please click here and here to see our videos about the accreditation and how it can help!
FAQ's for Members
What is ESSA Accredited?
The scheme is an annual company-level H&S qualification, independently audited and provides demonstrable proof that a member company is operating at and its management systems are at the required level to meet agreed industry standards whilst for those companies involved in construction, it additionally assesses against stage one requirements of assessing competence under CDM 2015.
Why do I need this?
In an ever-increasingly competitive environment, clients, venues and organisers are seeking ways to differentiate between suppliers and contractors. They increasingly want to mitigate their risk when buying and recommending services from external suppliers and they want access to an assurance that is industry-wide, recognised and credible.
ESSA took the decision to create this new benchmark in our sector having established ourselves as an association that is based on a code of conduct and a quality charter over the past 12 years. It is a new standard that would challenge the industry as well as drive the industry into a new era of demonstrable professionalism.
Who will recognise the ESSA Accredited standard?
The ESSA Accreditation has been presented to both organisers and venues, and it has received a very warm welcome as it provides peace of mind for both due to its rigorous evaluation of health and safety processes within the ESSA member company. They recognise that the system will mitigate their liability and make ESSA Accredited companies more attractive.
The Association of Event Organisers (AEO) and Association of Event Venues (AEV) have both fully endorsed the accreditation.
What do I have to do to become ESSA Accredited?
Firstly, you need to speak to ESSA’s Health and Safety Project Manager, Josh Taylor, and register your interest in becoming ESSA Accredited. At this point, you will be appraised of the various areas of assessment and requirements of the accreditation process. If you decide to proceed you will be sent a web link to the accreditation portal. From that point, you submit your evidence and the process begins.
How long does it take to become ESSA Accredited?
From the point of accessing the link for the accreditation, you will have 7 days to complete the application and submit. The initial assessment will then be completed within 10 working days. Depending upon the result of this initial assessment you will be contacted automatically with the outcome. For example, if your application was successful, you will be automatically emailed your ESSA Accredited certificate and logo with hard copies posted separately.
FAQ's for Organisers
What is ESSA Accredited?
The scheme is an annual company-level H&S qualification for supplier and service providers to the events industry, independently audited and provides demonstrable proof that a company is operating at and its management systems are at the required level to meet agreed industry standards whilst for those companies involved in construction, it additionally assesses against stage one requirements of assessing competence under CDM 2015.
Why do I need to recognise this?
In an ever-increasingly competitive environment, organisers are seeking ways to differentiate between suppliers and contractors who work within their shows. They increasingly want to mitigate their risk when buying and recommending services from external suppliers and they want access to an assurance that is industry-wide, recognised and credible.
ESSA took the decision to create this new benchmark in our sector having established ourselves as an association that is based on a code of conduct and a quality charter over the past 12 years. It is a new standard that would challenge the industry as well as drive the industry into a new era of demonstrable professionalism.
Who else has recognised the ESSA Accredited standard?
The ESSA Accreditation has been presented to multiple organizer companies, and it has received a very warm welcome as it provides peace of mind due to its rigorous evaluation of health and safety processes within the ESSA member company. They recognise that the system will mitigate their liability and make ESSA Accredited companies more attractive.
The Association of Event Organisers (AEO) and Association of Event Venues (AEV) have both fully endorsed the accreditation.
We are also working closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to maintain the standard of the guidance and process aligns with their own regulations.
What does using an ESSA Accredited supplier give to me?
Apart from the assurance that an accredited company has gone through a rigorous examinations of its management systems, mitigation of your risk is a pivotal benefit to you. Knowing you could have a show built by companies who have all attained the same rigorous industry agreed standard, renewed this commitment annually and committed to driving a culture of safety and professionalism within our shows, presents a very powerful case for supporting this new initiative and requiring it from your suppliers and contractors.
How is the standard maintained?
The standard is maintained by Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA). Via a bespoke digital audit platform and audit programme, accredited companies will be required to renew their certification annually and by the anniversary of their previous assessment.
Following a successful assessment, companies will be selected to face further verification of their systems and processes by a combination of premises and onsite visits from an auditor.
Can I check which suppliers are accredited?
Yes. Accredited companies can themselves provide you with a valid, date stamped certificate. Via the ESSA member directory www.essa.uk.com/members you can also identify those ESSA members that have achieved accredited status by accessing their listing and checking for the accredited logo.Your text...
FAQs for Venues
What is ESSA Accredited?
The scheme is an annual company-level H&S qualification for supplier and service providers to the events industry, independently audited and provides demonstrable proof that a company is operating at and its management systems are at the required level to meet agreed industry standards whilst for those companies involved in construction, it additionally assesses against stage one requirements of assessing competence under CDM 2015.
Why do I need to recognize/know about this?
In an ever-increasingly competitive environment, our industry is seeking ways to differentiate between suppliers and contractors who work within the multitude of shows taking place up and down the country.
Industry stake holders increasingly want to mitigate their risk when buying and recommending services from external suppliers and they want access to an assurance that is industry-wide, recognised and credible.
ESSA took the decision to create this new benchmark in our sector having established ourselves as an association that is based on a code of conduct and a quality charter over the past 12 years. It is a new standard that would challenge the industry as well as drive the industry into a new era of demonstrable professionalism.
Who else has recognised the ESSA Accredited standard?
The ESSA Accreditation has been presented to multiple organizer companies, and it has received a very warm welcome as it provides peace of mind due to its rigorous evaluation of health and safety processes within the ESSA member company. They recognise that the system will mitigate their liability and make ESSA Accredited companies more attractive.
The Association of Event Organisers (AEO) and Association of Event Venues (AEV) have both fully endorsed the accreditation.
We are also working closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to maintain the standard of the guidance and process aligns with their own regulations.
Will organisers be recommending ESSA Accredited suppliers to their exhibitors?
Apart from the assurance that an accredited company has gone through a rigorous examinations of its management systems, mitigation of your risk is a pivotal benefit to organisers. Knowing they could have a show built by companies who have all attained the same rigorous industry agreed standard, renewed this commitment annually and committed to driving a culture of safety and professionalism within our shows, presents a very powerful case for organisers supporting this new initiative and requiring it from your suppliers and contractors.
Who maintains the standard?
The standard is maintained by Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA). Via a bespoke digital audit platform and audit programme, accredited companies will be required to renew their certification annually and by the anniversary of their previous assessment.
Following a successful assessment, companies will be selected to face further verification of their systems and processes by a combination of premises and onsite visits from an auditor.
FAQs for Exhibitors
What is ESSA Accredited?
The scheme is an annual company-level H&S qualification for event suppliers and contractors. Independently audited, it provides demonstrable proof that a company is operating at and its management systems are at the required level to meet agreed industry standards whilst for those companies involved in construction, it additionally assesses against stage one requirements of assessing competence under CDM 2015.
What does this mean to me as an exhibitor?
Exhibitors increasingly have a responsibility to appoint qualified and competent suppliers. The risks to exhibitors not doing so are real if in the event things go wrong. You increasingly want to mitigate your risk when buying services from external suppliers and you want access to an assurance that is industry-wide, recognised and credible.
ESSA took the decision to create this new benchmark in our sector having established ourselves as an association that is based on a code of conduct and a quality charter over the past 12 years. It is a new standard that would challenge the industry as well as drive the industry into a new era of demonstrable professionalism.
What does an ESSA member have to do to become accredited?
In short, quite a lot. This is by no means a simple box ticking exercise, but in summary they must provide demonstrable proof that they are operating at and their management systems are at the required level to meet agreed industry standards whilst for those companies involved in construction, it additionally assesses against stage one requirements of assessing competence under CDM 2015.
A more in-depth summary can be found here https://www.essa.uk.com/resources/essa-accredited.
How do I confirm their accreditation
Accredited companies can themselves provide you with a valid, date stamped certificate. Via the ESSA member directory www.essa.uk.com/members you can also identify those ESSA members that have achieved accredited status by accessing their listing and checking for the accredited logo.
FAQs for Local Government
What is ESSA Accredited?
The scheme is an annual company-level H&S qualification for suppliers and contractors that aligns itself with SSIP approved schemes such as CHAS or Safe Contractor. ESSA Accredited benefits from also including modules on sustainability and covers in greater detail key areas with regard to company H&S. Independently audited, it provides demonstrable proof that a company is operating at and its management systems are at the required level to meet UK H&S law whilst for those companies involved in construction, it additionally assesses against stage one requirements of assessing competence under CDM 2015.
Why do I need to know about this accreditation?
Local government procurement requires contractors to attain a sector recognized accreditation to successfully apply for government contracts. Mitigation of risk when buying and recommending services from external suppliers is important and access to companies that can provide an assurance that is industry-wide, recognised and credible is paramount to best practice procurement.
ESSA took the decision to create this new benchmark for our sector having established ourselves as an association that is based on a code of conduct and a quality charter over the past 12 years. It is a new standard that would challenge the industry as well as drive the industry into a new era of demonstrable professionalism.
