Quality Standards Review

 

BALI Quality Standards Review (QSR)

When you apply for Full Contracting Membership of BALI you have to fulfil tough entry criteria that demonstrate your expertise and professionalism as a designer, landscaper or grounds maintenance contractor. The bar we set for entry is deliberately high and only the very best practitioners achieve Full Contracting Membership and the right to use the BALI logo. It is vital, therefore, that the recognition and credibility that comes from using the logo should in no way be devalued by slipping standards.

 

How we maintain standards

The BALI Quality Standards Review (QSR) is carried out by BALI on 20% of the Full Contracting Membership each year i.e. every BALI contractor will undergo the QSR at least once every 5 years throughout the duration of their BALI membership. However, if you are accredited under the NHSS 18 scheme, which BALI administers, the Highways Agency requires that you are re-vetted every 3 years. Although the BALI QSR process is an administrative one and does not involve visits to site or to the contractor’s premises, it is nevertheless thorough and rigorous in identifying potential areas of concern. If issues are found the contractor is alerted and given support and advice to address them within an appropriate timeframe before being re-vetted.

 

What happens?

The QSR process, explained below, is perfectly straightforward and an important milestone in your BALI membership:

1.    20% of the Full Contracting Membership (including Designers) is selected for review. The QSR documents are available to download from the Members’ section of the BALI website and, in addition, you will need to provide BALI with:

a.     Referees’ contact details from 5 of your recently completed or current projects;

b.    A copy of your current Employer’s and Public Liability Insurances;

c.     A copy of your most recent set of audited financial accounts OR verification in writing from a qualified accountant of your annual turnover for the last financial year;

d.    A copy of your Health & Safety Policy Statement;

e.    A copy of your Equal Opportunities Statement;

f.      A copy of your Standard Terms and Conditions of Business.

2.    On receipt of your completed form and accompanying documents, BALI will send each of the 5 referees a questionnaire.

3.    Once received, BALI reviews all 5 questionnaires and the documentation and form you have submitted and, if all are deemed to meet BALI’s high professional standards, a certificate is issued stating that the contractor has successfully completed the BALI Quality Standards Review.

 

What if my company is already accredited by another Quality Management system?

We are aware that many BALI contractors have elected to gain accreditation under other recognised business Quality Management systems. Where you can demonstrate and provide evidence of business compliance in all aspects of the QSR through accreditation under one or a combination of alternative industry-specific Quality Standards achieved within the 5 year period, you may be exempt from the BALI QSR process. Quality Management systems that qualify include (but are not restricted to):

·          ISO standards, e.g. 9001, 14001, 18001

·          Industry-specific British Standards, including 7370 (1-5) for Grounds Maintenance, 3998, 4043, 5837 for Tree Work, etc.

·          Achilles

·          Constructionline

·          Exor

·          NHSS 18 (Highways Agency)

·          CHAS

·          SAFEcontractor

·          SM&MS ContractorPlus

·          BALI National Landscape Awards – achieved in relevant categories in the last 3 years

 

If you are selected to undergo the BALI Quality Standards Review and have questions that are not answered here, please email nikki.feltham@bali.org.uk or call her on 02476 698652.

 

 

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