Security Business

jp1964

Are you aware of the possible impending business licence that is being brought in for security companies? It was supposed to come into force in April of this year but has apparently been delayed, for what reason is unclear.

There was a limited amount of information on the SIA website but no firm date as the law has not yet been passed. The info has now disappeared from the SIA website recently but there are still plenty of companies online that offer to get businesses accredited to the British Standards, which is expensive (we were quoted £5000 or so for our (small) business).

We are awaiting any further updates before we act, as it is an awful lot of money and the actual criteria and details is not clear yet, if indeed it is still going ahead, which is unclear as all reference to it has gone from the SIA website.

For us it is even more complicated, as we don't operate a bog standard static security business and work with a non standard specialised sector, and all the duties carried out are not security, only an element of it is basic security, so we would have to separate the rest of it from the security duties in order to be able to be accredited in the first place! Nightmare!

The business licence, as we understand from the limited info we were able to find out, is going to be applicable to any company that supplies other people for security duties, and is not applicable if someone is only supplying themselves as a sole trader or Limited Company.

Originally there were supposed to be special rules and criteria for small and micro businesses, of which again all reference to has disappeared, so we are left unsure what is happening.

Just wanted to make you aware of the possibility that this might still come into force, hopefully not, as ever more red tape (not to mention expense!) can only cripple small businesses and make it so much harder to operate within the legislation that is required.

I wish you well in your new venture, hopefully you can take it forward to create a good business for the future.