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What are Security Industry Codes of Practice?

The Codes of Practice provide a framework for best practice to raise performance standards and to assist the private security industry in developing new opportunities.

Who are the codes applicable to?

The Codes of Practice are applicable to all private security organisations engaged in manned and mobile guarding, keyholding, cctv monitoring or door supervision activities. The Codes of Practice include:

BS 7499:2007 Code of Practice for static site guarding, mobile patrol services
Recommendations for the management, staffing and operation of an organisation providing manned guarding services on a static and/or mobile patrol basis.
BS 7858:2006 Code of Practice for security screening of personnel employed in a security environmentRecommendations for the security screening of personnel in an environment where the security of people, goods or property is a significant feature of the employing organisation’s operations.
BS 7984:2008 Code of Practice for keyholding and response servicesRecommendations for the management, staffing and operation of an organisation providing keyholding and response services on a contracted basis.
BS 7958: 2005 Code of Practice for the management and operation of closed-circuit television (CCTV)Recommendations for the operation and management of CCTV within a controlled environment, where data that may be offered as evidence is received, stored, reviewed or analysed.
BS 7960: 2005 Code of Practice for door supervisors/stewards A Standard specifically for door supervision companies, which gives recommendations for the organisation, staffing, operation and management of a company providing a door supervisor service to licensed premises and/or outdoor events, and to other individuals, companies, organisations and licensees who provide or employ door supervisors.

What are the benefits of registration?

Customer satisfaction - through service delivery that consistently meet customer requirements
Reduced operating costs - through continual improvement of processes and resulting operational efficiencies
Improved stakeholder relationships - including staff, customers and suppliers
Legal compliance - by understanding how statutory and regulatory requirements impact the organization and its customers
Improved risk management - through greater consistency and traceability of products and services
Proven business credentials - through independent verification against recognized standards
Ability to win more business - particularly where procurement specifications require certification as a condition to supply.

How to gain registration

NQA provides certification to Codes of Practice as an extension to registration to ISO 9001:2008. The process of registration follows three simple steps:

Application for registration is made by completing the QMS questionnaire
Assessment to ISO 9001 and relevant Code of Practice is undertaken by NQA - the organisation must be able to demonstrate that its quality management system has been fully operative for a minimum of three months and has been subject of a full cycle of internal audits
Registration is granted by NQA and maintained by the organisation. Maintenance is confirmed through a programme of annual surveillance visits and a three yearly re-certification audit.

Initial Certification Audit

The assessment process for achieving certification consists of a two stage Initial Certification Audit as follows:

Stage 1 - the purpose of this visit is to confirm the readiness of the organisation for full assessment. The assessor will:

confirm that the quality manual conforms to the requirements of ISO 9001 and relevant Code of Practice
confirm its implementation status
confirm the scope of certification
check legislative compliance
produce a report that identifies any non-compliance or potential for non-compliance and agree a corrective action plan if required.
produce an assessment plan and confirm a date for the Stage 2 assessment visit.

Stage 2 - the purpose of this visit is to confirm that the quality management system fully conforms to the requirements of ISO 9001 and relevant Code in practice. The assessor will:

undertake sample audits of the processes and activities defined in the scope of assessment
document how the system complies with the standard
report any non-compliances or potential for non-compliance
produce a visit plan for the first surveillance visit

Please note that if any major non-conformance is identified, the organisation cannot be certified until corrective action is taken and verified.

Contact us

For more information about this service, contact our friendly team today on 08000 522424. We will be pleased to help you.

For further information please download the information below.

Security Codes of Practice Factsheet
The Codes of Practice provide a framework for best practice to raise performance standards and to assist the private security industry in developing new opportunities.
Download information

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