What is the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS)?
The Private Security Industry Act (PSIA) 2001 requires the SIA to establish a system of inspection for providers of security services, under which those organisations who satisfactorily meet the agreed standards may register as approved, and may advertise themselves as such. The objective of the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is to raise industry performance standards to the benefit of all with an interest in security services, including purchasers, employees, shareholders and the general public. The ACS contributes towards the SIA’s Mission statement: To help protect society by collaboratively developing and achieving high standards in the private security industry. An outcome of the Scheme is to enable security firms to operate more efficiently in a post-licensing environment by providing a mechanism for them to deploy staff waiting to receive a licence, in accordance with Section 4 paragraph 4 of the PSIA 2001.
