Posted By Robert Wise Hi Can anyone advise me on what the requirements are with regards to the need for Asbestos Surveyors to accredited under UKAS, the ABICS or the RICS NIACS Asbestos surveyors schemes? I know at the moment anyone with the P402 and suitable experience etc can carry out surveys, but is this going to change, and will there be a requirement in the future for all Asbestos Surveyors to be registered/accredited etc under one of these 3 schemes? Thanks Rob

Posted By Dave Wilson NIACS is a sub group of ARCA and RICS who have set them selves up to 'accredit' Asbestos Surveyors and ABICS who are a sub group of UKAS (independant of) have set themselves up accordingly to accredit 'Asbestos' surveyors. It is aimed mainly at the small business or individual surveyor / company who has no accreditation at the moment and would like to get accredited. bOth will cost money and an annual fee to stay accredited. Larger companies who are UKAS accredited do not need this as their surveyors are assessed and mentored under the Company existing QA UKAS accreditation scheme. It is in my opinion a very good idea as there are some 'SHOCKING' Asbestos surveyors / small companies out ther who are ripping industry off and worst of all putting people at risk from asbestos exposure unnecessarily. You need a good mix of qualifications and at least 6 months experience to do this effectively, P402 is a start! Good advice - Only use a UKAS accredited organisation or a reputable surveyor who you can get references for or look at some sample survey reports.

Posted By Jim Cameron Rob, At present there is no requirement for using a UKAS accredited company or individual to undertake asbestos surveys. It is however a requirement to have any asbestos analysis carried out by a UKAS accredited laboratory. Having participated in the ABICS scheme set up by BOHS, I know that this scheme is yet to be fully 'up and running'. I have since put my company through UKAS accreditation. Prior to accreditation the company acted as consultants for a number of NHS Trusts, Councils, Blue chips etc., none of whom insisted on UKAS accreditation. In choosing a surveyor, it is important to ascertain the credentials of the surveyor undertaking the actual survey; qualifications, experience, etc. Company accreditation may give some guarantee on procedure, QA and process, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the surveyor undertaking the work is not fresh from doing his/her P402 (Multiple choice!) and lacking in experience for the task in hand. Where substantial property portfolios are concerned, it is always worth getting references for the company involved and if possible for the surveyor(s) undertaking the work. Whilst not a requirement as yet, CAWR 2006 is likely to change this. Jim.

Posted By Jim Cameron Sorry dave, didn't make myself very clear; Whilst those affected by the new 'duty to manage' do not necessarily have to engage the services of an external surveyor to formulate their asbestos 'management plan', if the services of an asbestos surveyor are engaged whether under Reg 4 or CAWR generally, I think CAWR 06 will possibly strengthen the recommendation to use an accredited inspection body, whether an accredited individual or an individual within an accredited company. I too, prefer ABICS, but having signed up as a gunea pig and been through the process over a year ago, I couldn't wait any longer!