Terms and Conditions | National Site Standard

National Site Standard Membership and Accreditation Terms and Conditions

Last Updated September 30, 2026

1 Purpose and scope

1.1 These terms govern membership of the National Site Standard and the application, assessment, accreditation and related services provided by National Site Standard Limited, referred to as “NSS”, “we”, “us” or “our”.

1.2 The organisation purchasing membership or services is referred to as the “Participant”, “you” or “your”. These terms apply to contractors, subcontractors, education providers, skills organisations, training providers and other organisations whose participation NSS accepts.

1.3 Membership is intended for organisations acting in the course of their business, trade, profession, education, training or other organisational activities. The online membership offer is not intended for individuals purchasing as consumers. Nothing in these terms excludes rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

1.4 Membership and accreditation are different. Membership provides the services included in the selected package and access to the applicable accreditation process. Accreditation is awarded only following an authorised assessment and decision. Paying for membership does not entitle you to describe your organisation, sites or training environments as accredited.

2 Definitions and contract documents

2.1 “Agreement” means these terms, the membership package and fee information presented before purchase, any written service confirmation and the applicable Scheme Rules. A quotation or other document forms part of the Agreement only where expressly identified as doing so.

2.2 “Membership Start Date” means the subscription start date shown in your checkout or written membership confirmation. “Initial Term” means the first 24-month membership period beginning on that date. “Renewal Term” means each subsequent 24-month membership period under clause 8. “Charges” means the NSS Membership Subscription, Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fee, Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fee, agreed supplementary costs, additional service charges and applicable taxes. References to a membership month are measured from the start of the relevant membership term. Exact payment and assessment dates will be stated in your membership confirmation or renewal notice.

2.3 “Scheme Documents” means the National Site Standard, Scheme Rules, Assessment Procedure, Accreditation Procedure, Assessment Eligibility and Scope Policy, applicable complaints and appeals procedures, and other controlled documents relevant to your participation.

2.4 “Accreditation Decision” means a decision authorised under the Scheme Documents. “NSS Marks” means NSS names, logos, badges and other recognition marks that we authorise accredited organisations to use.

2.5 These terms govern the contractual and payment arrangements. Scheme Documents govern eligibility, assessment, accreditation, scoring and continuing compliance. They will be made available or identified before you are required to accept them.

2.6 Where documents conflict, a specific commercial arrangement expressly agreed in writing takes precedence for that arrangement. Otherwise these terms govern contractual and payment matters, and the Scheme Rules govern accreditation matters. Applicable law takes precedence in all cases.

2.7 “Standard Site Audit” means an independent audit of one suitable live construction site within the standard allocation described in the package information. The allocation normally covers a site that can be assessed by one assessor within one working day, subject to review of the nominated project. Exceptional travel, accommodation, access arrangements, project complexity or additional assessor resources may require an agreed supplementary quotation under clause 6.12.

2.8 “Standard Training Environment Assessment” means an independent assessment of one suitable education or training environment within the standard allocation described in the package information. The allocation normally covers an environment that can be assessed by one assessor within one working day, subject to review of its activities, size and complexity. Additional locations, exceptional travel, specialist access or additional assessor resources may require an agreed quotation under clause 6.12.

2.9 “Assessment Credit” means a membership benefit that can be applied towards an additional site assessment under clause 4. It is separate from the initial, annual and renewal assessments funded by the applicable assessment fees.

2.10 “Membership Year” means each consecutive 12-month period beginning on the Membership Start Date or its anniversary. Each 24-month membership term contains two Membership Years.

3 Acceptance and registration

3.1 The person accepting these terms confirms that they have authority to bind the Participant. They do not become personally party to the Agreement solely by accepting it on the organisation’s behalf.

3.2 For online membership, the Agreement is formed when your authorised representative accepts these terms and completes checkout for the selected membership. Before payment, NSS will show the 24-month commitment, automatic renewal arrangements, applicable fees, payment schedule and assessment requirements. This information will also identify any Assessment Credits included in your membership. We will provide written confirmation of the membership, Charges and Membership Start Date, together with a copy of or access to the terms accepted.

3.3 Registration remains subject to verification of your organisation, eligibility, selected package and turnover band. Payment does not confirm eligibility or award accreditation. We will notify you promptly if we cannot accept your registration.

3.4 If NSS declines your registration because your organisation is not eligible for the selected membership and no alternative package is agreed, we will cancel the subscription and refund the Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fee and membership payments collected for that registration. No further membership charges will be collected.

3.5 We will not begin chargeable assessment work until the initial payment has succeeded and eligibility has been confirmed, unless another arrangement is agreed in writing. Direct Debit payments may remain processing after checkout.

3.6 Where registration or assessment is arranged outside online checkout, the Agreement is formed when you accept these terms and NSS confirms acceptance in writing, unless the parties expressly agree another arrangement.

3.7 Conditions in your purchase order or procurement documents do not form part of the Agreement unless NSS expressly accepts them in writing.

4. Membership packages, turnover bands and Assessment Credits

4.1 Contractor and subcontractor membership fees depend on the annual turnover band selected. Education and Skills membership has a separate price.

4.2 Before checkout, NSS will identify the turnover ranges and the basis used to determine annual turnover, including the relevant financial period and whether the application concerns an individual legal entity or a group. You must use that published basis and provide accurate information.

4.3 We may ask for accounts or other reasonable evidence to verify turnover or eligibility. You must tell us promptly if the selected band or information supplied is incorrect.

4.4 If a correction is needed, we will explain the appropriate band, any proposed price adjustment and the effective date before implementing the change. We will not collect an additional Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fee or retrospective shortfall without explaining the basis and obtaining your agreement. If no agreement is reached, we may decline the registration under clause 3.4 or use the applicable dispute or termination process for an existing membership.

4.5 A later change in turnover does not automatically authorise a mid-term price increase. Any turnover review and resulting band change must follow the arrangements disclosed before purchase or subsequently agreed in writing.

4.6 Your package information will state the assessment services, resources and other benefits included, together with any limits or conditions. Contractor Membership includes an initial organisational assessment and one Standard Site Audit through the Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fee. Each Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fee includes an organisational review and one Standard Site Audit. During the Initial Term, this provides two compulsory site assessments: one initial assessment and one annual assessment. Any additional Assessment Credits are separate membership benefits and do not replace these assessments or their fees. Membership applies to the identified legal entity and agreed scope. It does not automatically cover affiliated organisations or every site.

4.7 Supplementary costs for included assessments, assessments exceeding or outside the available credit allocation, corrective-action verification, additional locations and other services are chargeable only where their scope and price or charging basis have been explained and agreed in writing before booking or undertaking the work. No additional charge will be incurred without your agreement in advance.

4.8 The NSS Membership Subscription covers access to the NSS framework and platform, implementation support and resources, reporting, benchmarking, improvement planning and ongoing scheme support. It also includes the annual Assessment Credit allocation applicable to your package under clause 4.11. Accredited Register listing and authorised use of the relevant NSS Accreditation Mark are available only while accreditation remains valid. Payment of the subscription alone does not maintain accreditation where required assurance has not been completed.

4.9 Education & Skills Membership provides an accreditation process for the education or training provider and independent assessment of its training environments. The Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fee includes the initial organisational assessment and one Standard Training Environment Assessment. Each Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fee includes an organisational review and one Standard Training Environment Assessment. During the Initial Term, this provides one initial and one annual training environment assessment. Education & Skills Membership does not include additional Assessment Credits unless expressly agreed in writing. Additional training environments may be assessed under a separately agreed quotation. Provider accreditation does not automatically mean that every training environment has been independently assessed or recognised by NSS.

4.10 Any statement that annual NSS costs are less than 0.2% of turnover must be checked against your declared actual annual turnover, using the monthly subscriptions and Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fee for the stated period. It is not a guarantee applying to every organisation within a turnover band. Any individually quoted price must be agreed before purchase, and the full payment schedule must still show the Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fee and any other charges separately.

4.11 Unless a different allocation is expressly agreed in writing before purchase, the following additional Assessment Credits are included in each Membership Year:

Contractor Band 1: no additional Assessment Credits.
Contractor Band 2: one additional Assessment Credit.
Contractor Band 3: two additional Assessment Credits.
Contractor Band 4: three additional Assessment Credits.
Contractor Band 5: four additional Assessment Credits.
Education & Skills Membership: no additional Assessment Credits.

4.12 The allocation is annual. Across a complete 24-month term, Contractor Bands 1–5 therefore receive respectively zero, two, four, six and eight additional Assessment Credits. These are in addition to the compulsory assessments described in clauses 4.6 and 4.9.

4.13 One Assessment Credit covers one additional Standard Site Audit, including the usual assessment preparation, assessment by one assessor for up to one working day, the resulting site report and routine quality review. Credits may be used to assess another eligible site or reassess an eligible site previously assessed by NSS. A credit does not fund a separate organisational desktop audit or guarantee any accreditation or recognition outcome.

4.14 Where an additional assessment requires more assessor time or resources than a Standard Site Audit, NSS may propose the use of more than one available Assessment Credit. The required number will reflect the assessment scope and resources, rather than project value alone. Before booking, NSS will confirm the scope, credits to be used and any supplementary payment. No additional credits will be deducted or supplementary costs incurred without your prior written agreement.

4.15 Credits are allocated at the beginning of each Membership Year and become available once eligibility and the initial payment have been confirmed. Each allocation must normally be used for assessments undertaken within that Membership Year. Unused credits expire at the end of that year and do not carry forward, except where clause 4.18 applies or NSS expressly agrees otherwise in writing. Future-year credits cannot be used in advance unless NSS agrees in writing.

4.16 Credits belong to the Participant and cannot be transferred to another organisation, sold or exchanged for cash. They cannot be applied against monthly subscriptions, Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fees, Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fees or separately agreed supplementary costs. Unused credits do not, by themselves, create a right to a refund or reduce the payment obligations for the agreed membership term. This does not restrict remedies where NSS fails to provide an agreed service.

4.17 Submit credit-funded assessment requests at least six weeks before your preferred assessment date and sufficiently before the end of the relevant Membership Year. NSS will confirm suitability, availability, the credit requirement and any supplementary costs before booking. A requested date is not guaranteed until confirmed. Requests submitted with less notice may be accommodated where practicable. Any credit deduction or additional charge resulting from a cancelled or postponed booking must follow the reasonable cancellation arrangements disclosed and accepted before booking.

4.18 Where a timely request meets the applicable assessment requirements but NSS cannot provide an assessment within the relevant Membership Year for reasons attributable to NSS, the required credits will remain available for the agreed rescheduled assessment. NSS will confirm a revised date without deducting credits from the next year’s allocation. Where no reasonable alternative can be provided, the remedies in clause 9.7 apply.

4.19 Additional assessments beyond the available credit allocation are quoted and charged separately. Credits do not automatically cover Enhanced Assurance Services or corrective-action verification assessments; their use for such services requires a specific written agreement. A change of band during a Membership Year will not automatically reset the credit allocation. NSS will confirm any agreed adjustment, taking account of credits already used or committed to bookings.

5 NSS services and participant obligations

5.1 NSS will provide the agreed services with reasonable care and skill, using appropriately competent and authorised personnel. We will maintain arrangements for impartiality and the management of conflicts of interest.

5.2 You must provide accurate and complete information, authentic evidence, reasonable cooperation and access, current contact and billing details, and payment when due. You must comply with the Agreement and the applicable Scheme Documents.

5.3 You must not falsify evidence, conceal material information, misrepresent accreditation status or improperly influence an assessment or decision. You must notify NSS of material changes required to be reported under the Scheme Rules.

5.4 You are responsible for your organisation’s legal compliance, management systems, workers, learners, contractors, operations and site safety. Accreditation does not transfer those responsibilities to NSS.

5.5 Unless separately agreed, NSS services are not legal, employment, safeguarding, health and safety or other professional consultancy advice.

6. Assessment and accreditation

6.1 Assessments and Accreditation Decisions follow the applicable Scheme Documents. Assessment may use sampling and does not examine every document, person, activity or location.

6.2 Accreditation is limited to the approved scope and dates recorded by NSS. It is not a guarantee of legal compliance, future performance or recognition by a particular client, framework, regulator or other third party.

6.3 You must provide reasonable access to relevant records, premises, personnel and evidence. Notify NSS in advance of site-entry, security, safeguarding, accessibility or other requirements.

6.4 If you cannot provide required information or access, we may postpone the affected work. Any additional costs must be reasonable and must be explained and agreed in advance. Cancellation arrangements disclosed and accepted when an assessment is booked remain applicable.

6.5 An unsuccessful assessment does not, by itself, cancel membership or create an entitlement to a refund. Where continued participation is permitted, we will explain the findings, improvement requirements, available reassessment arrangements and any additional charges.

6.6 If NSS determines that continued participation is not possible, the Agreement and future billing will be dealt with under clause 14. Accreditation status and membership payment obligations must not be treated as interchangeable.

6.7 The Initial Accreditation & Assessment and each Annual NSS Assurance & Audit include an organisational evidence review, workforce governance and performance-data review, review of progress against the improvement plan where applicable, leadership and workforce or learner evidence where appropriate, and a written NSS report with findings and agreed actions. Contractor Membership includes one Standard Site Audit. Education & Skills Membership includes one Standard Training Environment Assessment. The initial assessment establishes the baseline and improvement requirements. These assessment services are funded by the applicable assessment fee and do not consume membership Assessment Credits.

6.8 After sign-up, you must upload the required organisational evidence within 14 days and nominate a suitable site or training environment within 30 days. NSS will schedule the initial organisational assessment and site audit or training environment assessment within the first 90 days of membership, subject to eligibility confirmation, timely evidence, suitable access and agreement of any supplementary quotation. Scheduling or completion of an assessment does not guarantee that accreditation will be awarded. If requirements or access prevent this timetable, NSS will explain the delay and confirm revised dates.

6.9 The Annual NSS Assurance & Audit is compulsory for maintaining accreditation. At month 10 of each 24-month membership term, NSS will send an email and, where available, a dashboard notification requiring updated organisational evidence, progress against your improvement plan, nomination of one suitable site or training environment, and payment of the Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fee. These preparations must be completed by the notified deadline so that the annual review and associated site or environment assessment can be completed and the accreditation decision issued by month 12 of that term. NSS will normally confirm the assessment date and undertake the review and assessment during month 11. The assessment can be booked only after the required evidence, nomination and payment have been received and any necessary supplementary scope and cost have been agreed. Using additional Assessment Credits does not remove this compulsory annual assurance requirement.

6.10 Approximately two months before the end of each 24-month term, NSS will begin renewal preparation and issue the renewal notice required by clause 8. This is a notice and preparation stage, rather than a requirement to pay the renewal assessment fee at month 22. If membership is to continue, NSS will request updated evidence, improvement progress and a suitable site or training environment nomination and arrange the re-accreditation process. The Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fee for re-accreditation is payable on the renewal date under clause 7.5. NSS may undertake agreed preparatory work and assessment before that date, with the fee due on renewal. Accreditation continues only where the applicable assessment, decision and payment requirements have been met. The re-accreditation assessment does not consume the additional Assessment Credits for the Renewal Term.

6.11 Site nominations must include the project name, location and postcode, client, project value and duration, type and scale of works, expected workforce size, principal contractor, site contact, access, security and induction requirements, specialist risks or access arrangements, likely unusual travel or overnight accommodation and preferred audit window. Training environment nominations must include the location, activities and facilities being assessed, learner and staff profile, responsible contact, access and safeguarding requirements, specialist risks and preferred assessment window. NSS will review this information before confirming whether the nomination fits the standard assessment allocation.

6.12 Where a nominated site or training environment requires additional assessor time, specialist access, multiple assessors, significant travel, overnight accommodation, enhanced security arrangements or other exceptional resources, NSS will provide a supplementary quotation before the assessment is booked. The quotation will explain the scope and full additional cost. No supplementary work or additional charge will be incurred without your prior written agreement. This applies to initial, annual, renewal and additional assessments. For an additional assessment funded by membership credits, NSS may agree a higher credit requirement under clause 4.14. The booking confirmation will distinguish work covered by credits from any separately charged costs. If you do not agree a necessary quotation, NSS will discuss a suitable alternative location where practicable; the applicable assurance requirement remains in place.

6.13 If you do not submit required evidence, nominate a suitable site or training environment, agree necessary supplementary arrangements or pay a required assessment fee by the notified deadline, NSS will suspend accreditation in accordance with the Scheme Rules. You must stop using the relevant NSS Accreditation Mark and must not be presented on the Accredited Register as holding current accreditation. If the assurance process is not successfully completed, accreditation may be withdrawn. NSS will explain the reason, required corrective steps and applicable review or appeal process. A delay caused solely by NSS will not be treated as your failure to meet the deadline; NSS will confirm revised dates and status arrangements under the Scheme Rules. Giving valid notice of non-renewal does not, by itself, constitute a failure to complete a renewal assessment.

6.14 Additional NSS Site Audits may be funded using available Assessment Credits or commissioned under a separate quotation. Additional training environment assessments are quoted separately unless another arrangement is expressly agreed. NSS will review each request according to the location, size, duration, complexity, travel, accommodation, access and assessor requirements. Submit requests at least six weeks before your preferred assessment date. Before booking, NSS will confirm the scope, date, number of credits to be used and any separate payment. A requested date is not guaranteed until confirmed.

6.15 Where findings require a further corrective-action verification assessment, NSS will explain the required scope and provide a quotation before booking. Any additional charge must be agreed in advance. Assessment Credits may be applied only where NSS expressly agrees their use for that verification work in writing. Failure to complete required corrective action or verification may affect accreditation under the Scheme Rules.

6.16 NSS assessments provide workforce governance assurance, benchmarking and improvement findings. They are not health and safety inspections, statutory inspections or standalone compliance audits and do not replace your legal or operational responsibilities.

7. Fees and payment schedule

7.1 Contractor Membership fees are based on annual turnover, determined in accordance with clause 4. Education & Skills Membership has a separate fee. The applicable monthly NSS Membership Subscription, Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fee and Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fee are published on the NSS Membership Fees page and will be confirmed before purchase, unless an individual quotation is agreed in writing. All published fees exclude VAT unless expressly stated otherwise. The fees disclosed and accepted when your membership term begins apply for that term, subject to clause 7.13. Changes to the fees page do not, by themselves, change your agreed Charges. The additional annual Assessment Credit allocations are set out in clause 4.11 and will also be confirmed in your package information.

7.2 Education & Skills Membership follows the same 24-month membership and assessment payment structure as Contractor Membership. Its monthly subscription is £125, its Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fee is £375, and its Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fee is £375, excluding VAT. The first payment is £500, comprising the initial assessment fee and the first monthly subscription. No additional Assessment Credits are included unless expressly agreed in writing.

7.3 The Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fee is a separate one-time charge equivalent to three monthly membership payments. It is payable at sign-up together with the first monthly subscription. It funds the initial assessment services described in the agreed package. It is not an advance payment for three months of membership and does not reduce the 24 monthly payments. It equals 12.5% of the 24 monthly subscription payments, rather than 12.5% of the total package cost including assessment fees.

7.4 The Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fee is separate from the monthly subscription and is equivalent to three monthly membership payments at the applicable package price. Within each 24-month term, the fee for the annual assessment due by month 12 is payable in advance at month 10. The fee for re-accreditation at the end of that term is payable on renewal under clause 7.5. The annual assessment requirement remains applicable even though the payment dates differ between the mid-term assessment and the renewal assessment. The fee is not reduced or replaced by membership Assessment Credits.

7.5 NSS will issue a renewal reminder at least 60 days before the end of each 24-month membership term. The Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fee for re-accreditation is payable on the renewal date only where membership renews. It is not payable merely because the renewal reminder has been issued. If you give written notice of non-renewal before the current term ends, you must complete the subscription payments and other properly due obligations for that term, but you will not be charged the renewal assessment fee or subscriptions for a further term. If the renewal assessment fee has been paid in advance and you subsequently give valid notice of non-renewal before the term ends, NSS will refund that fee. Separately commissioned services remain subject to their agreed payment and cancellation arrangements.

7.6 For illustration, Contractor Band 1 costs £620 at sign-up, comprising the £465 Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fee and £155 for the first month. There are then 23 further monthly subscription payments of £155 during the Initial Term, plus a separate £465 Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fee at month 10. If membership renews at month 24, a further assessment fee becomes payable on the renewal date, together with the first monthly subscription of the Renewal Term, at the prices confirmed in the renewal notice. If valid notice of non-renewal is given before the Initial Term ends, the renewal assessment fee is not payable. All these amounts exclude VAT and any agreed supplementary costs. Band 1 includes no additional Assessment Credits, but its initial and annual assessment fees each include one Standard Site Audit.

7.7 Before purchase, NSS will provide the applicable payment schedule, including the initial payment, 24 monthly subscription payments, annual assessment fee and renewal arrangements. Exact billing and renewal dates will be confirmed in writing. Assessments covered by available credits carry no separate standard assessment charge. Agreed supplementary costs and additional services outside the credit entitlement are charged separately. VAT will be added where applicable, and checkout and invoices will show the total payable.

7.8 By subscribing and accepting these terms, you authorise collection of the disclosed initial payment and monthly subscriptions, including monthly subscriptions during Renewal Terms unless valid notice of non-renewal or termination has been given. Annual assessment fees will be invoiced for payment online or collected under a payment authority expressly accepted before collection. This authority does not permit collection of unspecified supplementary costs. Direct Debit payments are also subject to the mandate accepted at checkout.

7.9 Stripe processes online payments on behalf of NSS. You must maintain a valid payment method and tell us promptly about billing problems. Invoices and payment records will be provided electronically. Bank processing and calendar variations may affect the date money leaves your account.

7.10 Where invoicing or another payment arrangement is agreed, payment is due within the period stated on the invoice. Undisputed amounts remain payable without deduction or set-off except where required by law.

7.11 Tell NSS promptly if you dispute an invoice, explaining the amount and reason. We will investigate and respond. Any undisputed amount remains payable when due.

7.12 If payment fails, the payment provider may retry collection and NSS may request an updated payment method. We will give notice and a reasonable opportunity to resolve overdue amounts before suspending services, subject to the assurance deadlines and accreditation requirements in clause 6.13 and any urgent action permitted by the Scheme Rules. Reasonable debt-recovery costs and interest may be charged only where permitted by applicable law and the Agreement. We will not impose an undisclosed reactivation charge.

7.13 The agreed monthly subscription and applicable assessment fees remain fixed during the current 24-month membership term unless you agree a package change or an adjustment expressly disclosed before that term begins applies. Agreed supplementary costs and applicable tax changes may affect the total payable. The agreed annual Assessment Credit allocation also remains fixed for that term unless you agree a package change in writing.

7.14 Prices for a Renewal Term will be stated in the renewal notice at least 60 days before that term begins. The notice will identify any change to the monthly subscription, annual assessment fee or agreed service package, including any change to the annual Assessment Credit allocation. You may prevent renewal by giving written notice before the current term ends. Once renewal takes effect, the notified prices and credit allocation apply for the new 24-month term, subject to clause 7.13.

8. Membership duration and renewal

8.1 The Initial Term is 24 months from the Membership Start Date. Monthly payment is a payment arrangement for that term, rather than a right to cancel at the end of any month. The applicable assessment obligations and fees are additional to the monthly subscriptions.

8.2 Membership automatically renews for a further 24-month term at the end of the Initial Term and each subsequent Renewal Term unless you give written notice of non-renewal before the current term ends, or the Agreement is otherwise terminated under these terms. Each Renewal Term carries a commitment to 24 monthly subscription payments and the applicable assessment requirements and fees.

8.3 NSS will send a renewal reminder at least 60 days before the renewal date. It will confirm the current term’s end date, the next 24-month term, the subscription and assessment fees, the annual Assessment Credit allocation, the re-accreditation requirements and how to prevent renewal. You may give notice of non-renewal at any time before the renewal date, including before receiving the reminder. Send notice to info@nationalsitestandard.org. NSS will acknowledge the notice and confirm the membership end date.

8.4 The Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fee is not charged again for uninterrupted renewal of the same membership. The applicable Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fee covers re-accreditation at renewal, with no separate additional re-accreditation fee. Any agreed supplementary costs are charged separately. A fee for rejoining after membership has ended must be disclosed before the new purchase.

8.5 Membership duration and accreditation validity are separate. Automatic membership renewal does not automatically renew accreditation. Accreditation remains conditional on successful completion of the required assurance process and compliance with the Scheme Documents. Its dates and scope are recorded in the accreditation decision, certificate and register.

8.6 If you give valid notice of non-renewal, membership and subscription billing end when the current 24-month term expires. NSS will confirm any outstanding Charges properly due for that term. You will not be charged the assessment fee for renewal into a further term. Accreditation and rights to use the relevant NSS Marks end in accordance with clause 14.10.

8.7 Assessment Credits are allocated separately for each Membership Year of a Renewal Term. Unused credits from the preceding term do not carry into the Renewal Term except under clause 4.18 or a specific written agreement. Giving notice of non-renewal does not remove credits otherwise available during the remaining current term.

9. Cancellation, refunds and postponed services

9.1 Cancellation of membership is governed by clause 14. Cancellation of a scheduled assessment or additional service is governed by the cancellation arrangements disclosed and accepted when that service is booked. These arrangements must identify any consequences for Assessment Credits as well as monetary charges.

9.2 If you withdraw before eligibility is confirmed and before NSS has begun registration, onboarding or assessment work, we will cancel the subscription and refund payments collected for the registration. No remaining Initial Term payments will be due under this clause.

9.3 Once work has begun, the Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fee may be retained only to the extent of reasonable onboarding or assessment costs already incurred or committed. Any unused balance will be refunded. This does not remove membership payment obligations that continue under clause 14.

9.4 Membership fees for periods already provided are not normally refundable solely because you have not used the available services or have not achieved accreditation. This includes a decision not to use available Assessment Credits. This does not restrict remedies for services not provided as agreed, an incorrect charge or rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

9.5 If NSS declines eligibility, clause 3.4 applies. If NSS ends membership for reasons not attributable to you, clause 14.7 applies. These provisions take precedence over a general no-refund statement.

9.6 We may postpone a service because of safety concerns, assessor unavailability, significant disruption or another circumstance preventing proper delivery. We will explain the reason and offer a reasonable alternative. Where NSS postpones a credit-funded assessment, the credits will remain available for the agreed rescheduled assessment. Any required extension beyond the Membership Year will be confirmed in writing.

9.7 If NSS cannot provide an affected paid service within a reasonable period and no alternative is agreed, you may cancel that service and receive a refund of the amount attributable to the undelivered service. We will also review any continuing membership charge where the main agreed service cannot be delivered. For an undelivered assessment included through membership credits, NSS will offer a reasonable replacement service or a proportionate refund of the subscription amount attributable to the undelivered benefit. The general rule that credits have no cash value does not exclude this remedy.

9.8 Approved refunds will be initiated promptly, normally within 14 calendar days after the refund amount is agreed. The payment provider or bank may take additional time to return the money.

9.9 Annual NSS Assurance & Audit Fees and supplementary assessment payments relate to the services for which they are charged. If a booked assessment is cancelled, NSS may retain only the amount due under the cancellation arrangements disclosed and accepted at booking, reflecting reasonable work completed and costs incurred or committed. Any unused balance will be refunded. The renewal fee refund provision in clause 7.5 takes precedence where valid notice of non-renewal is given before the current term ends. Cancelling or obtaining a refund for an assessment does not itself remove an assurance requirement necessary to maintain current accreditation.

9.10 If you cancel or postpone a credit-funded assessment, credits may be retained only to the extent provided by the reasonable cancellation arrangements disclosed and accepted before booking, reflecting work completed and assessor resources reasonably committed. Credits not properly used or retained will be restored, subject to the original expiry date or an agreed extension. NSS will not both retain credits and charge you for the same assessment work or committed resource. Separately agreed supplementary costs remain subject to their own cancellation arrangements.

10. Certificates, NSS Marks and public register

10.1 While accreditation remains current, NSS grants a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable and revocable right to use the relevant certificate and NSS Marks within the approved scope and in accordance with Scheme requirements.

10.2 Membership applicants may not use accredited-status marks before accreditation is awarded. No ownership of NSS intellectual property transfers to you.

10.3 You must not make misleading claims or suggest accreditation or approval by UKAS, government, a regulator or another body unless that recognition has formally been obtained and the claim is expressly permitted.

10.4 If accreditation expires, is suspended, reduced or withdrawn, you must stop claims and uses of NSS Marks that are no longer authorised and follow the applicable Scheme instructions.

10.5 NSS may publish information needed to verify accreditation status, including your organisation’s name, accreditation reference, scope, relevant locations, dates and status. Tell us promptly about inaccuracies.

10.6 The public register verifies NSS accreditation status only. It does not guarantee financial standing, contractual suitability, legal compliance or performance.

10.7 Organisational accreditation and recognition of individual sites or training environments are separate. An accredited contractor or training provider may operate locations that have not been assessed by NSS. Only an individually assessed location awarded the relevant status may claim that status or display the corresponding recognition materials.

10.8 Following successful assessment, a qualifying construction site may receive NSS Assessed Site, NSS Commended Site, NSS Excellent Site or NSS Outstanding Site recognition under the Scheme Rules, with an individual certificate, signage and digital recognition assets. Site recognition remains valid for 12 months from the assessment date and must be renewed through reassessment. Organisational renewal does not automatically renew individual site recognition. A suitable reassessment may be funded using available Assessment Credits, subject to the agreed scope and booking requirements.

10.9 Training provider and training environment accreditation or recognition is awarded within the scope and validity dates stated in the applicable NSS decision and certificate. A provider must not present an unassessed training environment as independently assessed or accredited by NSS. Reassessment and continued use of the relevant marks are governed by the applicable Scheme Documents.

11 Confidentiality and personal data

11.1 Each party must protect the other’s confidential information and use it only for purposes connected with the Agreement or Scheme.

11.2 NSS may disclose information to authorised assessors, reviewers, staff, contractors, advisers, governance bodies and complaints or appeals personnel where reasonably necessary and subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations.

11.3 Disclosure may also be made where required by law or reasonably necessary to address a serious safeguarding concern, fraud, serious misconduct or threat to Scheme integrity.

11.4 Confidentiality does not apply to information lawfully in the public domain, already known without restriction, independently developed or lawfully obtained from another source. Information authorised for the public register may be published for that purpose.

11.5 NSS may use properly anonymised or aggregated information for assurance, evaluation, research and reporting where neither your organisation nor an individual is reasonably identifiable.

11.6 Each party must comply with applicable data-protection law. NSS’s Privacy Notice explains processing purposes, lawful bases, retention, recipients, payment processing and individual rights. It will be available before registration.

11.7 You must have an appropriate lawful basis and authority to supply personal data, including worker or learner information. These terms do not replace any data-processing agreement required for a particular service.

11.8 Confidentiality obligations continue after termination for as long as the information remains confidential or applicable law requires protection.

12. Intellectual property and use of materials

12.1 NSS and its licensors retain ownership of the NSS framework, Scheme Documents, assessment methods, resources, reports, platform content and NSS Marks. Membership does not transfer ownership of those materials to you.

12.2 You may use materials supplied through membership for your organisation’s implementation of NSS and the purposes stated in the applicable package or material. You may retain assessment reports and use them as evidence of the assessment undertaken, provided they are not altered or presented in a misleading way. Retaining a report or certificate does not authorise a claim that expired, suspended or withdrawn accreditation remains current.

12.3 You retain ownership of documents and evidence you provide. You authorise NSS and its appointed personnel to use them as reasonably necessary to deliver the agreed services, make and review Accreditation Decisions, administer the Scheme and meet applicable legal obligations, subject to clause 11.

13 Liability and insurance

13.1 Nothing excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful, including liability for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or death or personal injury caused by negligence.

13.2 Subject to clause 13.1 and applicable law, NSS is not liable for indirect or consequential losses arising from the Agreement.

13.3 NSS is not responsible to the extent that a loss is caused by inaccurate or misleading information supplied by you, matters outside the agreed scope, your failure to cooperate, or misuse of accreditation claims. This does not exclude liability for NSS’s own failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.

13.4 Subject to clause 13.1 and applicable law, NSS’s total aggregate liability to the Participant arising out of or in connection with the Agreement, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty or otherwise, shall not exceed an amount equal to the Initial Accreditation & Assessment Fee plus the total monthly membership subscriptions payable for the Initial Term, excluding VAT. This limit applies to all claims combined and is not a separate limit for each claim. Annual assessment fees, supplementary costs and additional service fees are not included in this calculation. The limit does not restrict NSS’s obligation to refund amounts expressly refundable under these terms.

13.5 Each party remains responsible for its own unlawful conduct, infringement and unauthorised use of third-party information or intellectual property.

13.6 Each party must maintain insurance required by law and reasonably appropriate to its activities. You must also maintain insurance expressly required under the Scheme’s published eligibility requirements.

14. Ending membership and accreditation action

14.1 Suspension, reduction or withdrawal of accreditation follows the Scheme Rules and Accreditation Procedure, including the compulsory assurance requirements in clause 6. Such action does not itself terminate the membership Agreement or stop billing. NSS will explain the accreditation decision, required steps and any continuing payment obligations. Use of the relevant NSS Accreditation Mark must cease immediately when accreditation is suspended or withdrawn.

14.2 You may give written notice of non-renewal at any time before the current 24-month term ends. Membership will end at that term’s expiry unless an earlier termination right applies. You remain responsible for the subscription payments and other Charges properly due for the current term. No renewal assessment fee or further-term subscription payments will be due where valid notice of non-renewal has been given.

14.3 Each Renewal Term is a further 24-month commitment. Once that term begins, a request to cancel will normally be treated as notice of non-renewal at its end, unless an earlier termination right under these terms applies or NSS agrees a written early-exit arrangement. NSS will confirm the membership end date and any remaining payment obligations.

14.4 If you ask to leave during the Initial Term or a Renewal Term without an applicable termination right, the remaining monthly subscriptions for that term remain due on the agreed monthly schedule unless NSS agrees a written early-exit arrangement. Required assurance obligations and properly due assessment fees continue in accordance with the Agreement. We will explain the balance and retain the agreed services for that period where practicable. We will not automatically collect the entire remaining subscription balance as a single payment.

14.5 You may terminate early if NSS commits a material breach and does not remedy it within 30 days of written notice describing the breach, or within another reasonable period agreed where the remedy genuinely requires more time. You may terminate immediately where the breach cannot be remedied or continued performance would be unlawful. No membership fees for periods after valid termination under this clause will be due.

14.6 NSS may terminate for material breach after reasonable notice and an opportunity to remedy it, materially false or fraudulent evidence, persistent non-cooperation, overdue Charges after notice, serious abusive conduct, insolvency or cessation of the Participant’s legal entity, or where continued participation would be unlawful or impossible under the Scheme. Immediate action may be taken where a breach cannot be remedied or urgent protection is necessary.

14.7 If NSS ends the Scheme, declines continued participation because eligibility cannot be maintained, or terminates for reasons not attributable to your breach, we will stop future billing and refund prepaid fees attributable to periods or services that will not be provided. Remaining subscription payments for the current term will not become payable solely because NSS ends the Agreement. This includes a proportionate review of any undelivered assessment benefit funded through membership credits under clause 9.7.

14.8 If NSS terminates because of your breach, accrued Charges and reasonable committed service costs remain payable. Any claim for further loss must follow applicable law and take account of costs saved and reasonable mitigation; remaining membership fees will not automatically be accelerated in full.

14.9 Cancelling a card, Direct Debit mandate or payment authority does not itself give contractual notice or resolve amounts properly due. Send cancellation requests to info@nationalsitestandard.org. This does not restrict your rights to cancel a payment mandate through your bank.

14.10 When the Agreement ends, applicable membership benefits cease, accreditation will cease or be withdrawn unless NSS confirms a lawful alternative, and rights to use accreditation marks end accordingly. Unused Assessment Credits cease to be available when membership ends, subject to any agreed arrangements for an assessment delayed by NSS and any remedy for an undelivered service under clause 9.7. Accrued rights and provisions intended to survive termination remain effective.

15 Events beyond reasonable control

15.1 Neither party is responsible for delay caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control where it takes reasonable steps to mitigate the effect and promptly notifies the other party.

15.2 These circumstances may include severe weather, major utility failure, war, government restrictions or serious systems disruption not caused by a failure to take reasonable precautions.

15.3 Amounts properly due for services already provided remain payable. If disruption prevents a material service for more than 60 days, either party may cancel the affected service. NSS will refund amounts attributable to undelivered services and review continuing membership obligations where the main package cannot be provided.

16. Changes, assignment and subcontracting

16.1 You may not transfer membership or accreditation to another legal entity without NSS’s written agreement. A merger, acquisition or restructuring does not automatically transfer accreditation.

16.2 NSS may use authorised assessors, contractors and service providers but remains responsible for its obligations under the Agreement.

16.3 NSS may update these terms for legal or Scheme developments. Material changes will normally be notified at least 30 days before taking effect. A shorter period may be used where legally required or necessary to address an urgent risk, with an explanation.

16.4 Changes will not retrospectively alter completed services or override clause 7.13 on pricing and Assessment Credit allocations during the current membership term. If a change materially reduces your contractual rights or agreed benefits, you may terminate before it takes effect without future membership fees after termination, unless the change is required by law.

16.5 Scheme Documents may change through NSS governance and document-control arrangements. NSS will identify applicable versions, effective dates and reasonable transition arrangements. Changes affecting accreditation requirements must be communicated to affected Participants.

16.6 If NSS proposes to transfer the Agreement to another provider, it will give reasonable notice. The transfer must not materially reduce your contractual protections. If it does, you may terminate before transfer without future fees after termination.

17 Notices and general provisions

17.1 Contractual notices must be sent in writing. NSS’s notice address is The Old School House, Manchester Road, Carrington, Manchester M31 4UG. The notice email is info@nationalsitestandard.org.

17.2 Notices to you will be sent to the contact details supplied for the membership. Keep these current. Routine communications may be sent by email or an approved electronic system. We will acknowledge cancellation requests and confirm their effective date.

17.3 The Agreement is the entire agreement concerning the agreed services. Nothing excludes liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

17.4 A variation requested by you is effective only if NSS agrees in writing. Failure to exercise a right does not waive it.

17.5 If a provision is unlawful or unenforceable, it will be modified to the minimum extent necessary or removed, without affecting the remaining provisions.

17.6 The Agreement does not create a partnership, agency, employment relationship or joint venture. Neither party may bind the other without authority.

17.7 No third party has a right to enforce the Agreement under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 unless expressly stated otherwise.

17.8 Electronic acceptance and electronic records may be used. NSS will retain an identifiable version of the terms accepted for the membership. The governing language is English.

18 Complaints disputes and governing law

18.1 Complaints about service or billing should first be sent to info@nationalsitestandard.org. NSS will acknowledge them and explain the applicable process.

18.2 Assessment and Accreditation Decision appeals follow the published NSS appeals procedure. Contractual complaints do not replace that process, and the process does not remove legal rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

18.3 The Agreement and related non-contractual obligations are governed by the law of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory law requiring otherwise.

19 Company and contact details

National Site Standard Limited
Company number: 17126357
Registered office: The Old School House, Manchester Road, Carrington, Manchester M31 4UG
Email: info@nationalsitestandard.org
Website: https://www.nationalsitestandard.org

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