The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has today announced suspension of all audit activity commencing 6th April until 31st May 2020 inclusive.
All approved companies in the security and fire sector are working hard to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, prioritising the health and wellbeing of staff and taking necessary steps to support their customers and maintain business continuity. The professional industry is practising social distancing regulation to support customers and end users, and maintaining standards with best endeavours.
It is clear some approved companies are under stress or extreme stress, adapting to their immediate situation, and the continuation of NSI audit and assessment activity as the pandemic unfolds is untenable.
In order to best support industry and the approved company community, NSI is suspending all audit and assessment activity from 6th April until at least 31st May 2020 inclusive.
This action is taken with the support of stakeholders who understand pursuing a ‘business as usual’ stance serves little purpose and may have adverse consequences in the current extreme circumstances.
Any NSI approval due to expire before 31st May 2020 will be automatically extended for a limited period, unless evidence dictates otherwise. Should individual companies seek audit / assessments in this period, they may contact NSI.
NSI operations teams are being furloughed for the period 6th April – 31st May 2020. NSI will resume its activities when, in due course, Government restrictions are relaxed.
Richard Jenkins Chief Executive commented: “The COVID-19 situation continues to evolve rapidly and NSI is taking appropriate measures in these extreme circumstances.
“NSI fully recognises that suspending routine scrutiny of approved businesses facing the challenges of the pandemic is wholly appropriate. We are standing by to resume all audit programmes as and when the current crisis stabilises.”
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About the National Security Inspectorate: The National Security Inspectorate is the UK’s leading security sector specialist Certification Body with reach in all corners of the land. It counts premium local providers as well as the UK’s premier security and fire safety providers amongst its clients.
NSI delivers a robust continuous audit regime of approved companies through a dedicated team of in-house experts to verify compliance with relevant British and European Standards, Codes of Practice and Certification schemes developed by Industry Bodies and Associations.
End users who choose to contract with NSI approved companies can be assured of security and fire safety services delivered to the highest standards by businesses committed to quality and continual improvement.
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