Earlier this week, we approached CGCS with a few questions based on the feedback we had received from installers. Those questions were:
- Does the new scheme devalue Gas Safe registration by suggesting that there is an extra level of gas safety not already covered?
- Is there a conflict of interest given that Capita administers both CGCS and the Gas Safe Register?
- Why would installers need/want to be certified twice (with all the associated time and financial implications)?
The CGCS response (in full) is as follows:
The Gas Safe Register and CGCS Certification are two separate businesses that provide different services. CGCS offers services outside of the remit of the Gas Safe Register.
CGCS certification is an optional route for businesses looking to assess processes and procedures in place for managing gas work, and is not an additional or alternative scheme to prove gas safety competence.
Gas Safe registration remains as the legal requirement for anyone to work safely and legally on gas appliances and will continue to serve this purpose.
CGCS certification is the only independently verified gas safety certification scheme available to organisations that manage the completion of gas work such as housing associations, local authorities and other businesses. CGCS certification is verified by The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) which is the sole national accreditation body for the United Kingdom, recognised by Government and other specifiers, and ensures that the certification scheme it is run fairly and impartially.
