Choose the CHAS level your buyer requires

CHAS Standard vs Advanced vs Elite: Levels and Cost

CHAS currently offers Standard, Advanced and Elite memberships. The best choice is not automatically the highest level: it is the level that satisfies your actual buyer, framework or tender requirement.

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StandardSSIP requirements

AdvancedBroader pre-qualification modules

EliteCommon Assessment Standard route

CHAS Standard

CHAS describes Standard as its entry-level membership for SSIP requirements, with health and safety assessment and insurance information. It may be sufficient where a buyer asks specifically for CHAS or SSIP without a broader PQQ requirement.

CHAS Advanced

Advanced builds on SSIP and includes additional pre-qualification modules. CHAS currently describes it as meeting the former PAS 91 standard. Because PAS 91 has been withdrawn, check whether the buyer actually wants Advanced or now specifies the Common Assessment Standard.

CHAS Elite

Elite is CHAS’s route to the Common Assessment Standard and covers a wider range of supply-chain risk areas. It is relevant where the buyer, public-sector procurement route or principal contractor expressly asks for CAS or CHAS Elite.

What affects the total CHAS cost?

Separate the provider’s membership and assessment price from consultancy support. The live CHAS price depends on the organisation and package. Consultancy depends on the requested level, existing evidence, documentation gaps and whether support is needed for assessor queries.

Important distinction

Preparation support is separate from assessment

Barlow & Co does not issue memberships, certificates or approvals. The relevant scheme, assessment body or certification body controls its decision, fees and timetable.

No invented evidenceDocuments must reflect controls your business actually operates.

No guaranteed outcomeWe improve preparation but do not promise third-party approval.

Clear commercial scopeDeliverables and consultancy fees are agreed before paid work.

FAQs

CHAS questions

Send the exact buyer or assessor wording if your situation is different.

Is CHAS Elite always better than Standard or Advanced?

It covers a broader assessment, but the correct commercial choice depends on the requirement you need to satisfy. Do not buy a higher level without checking the buyer wording.

Does the Barlow & Co fee include CHAS membership?

No. Our consultancy fee is separate from CHAS membership and assessment charges.

Does CHAS Elite include the Common Assessment Standard?

CHAS currently presents Elite as its Common Assessment Standard membership route. Always check the current package details and the buyer’s wording before applying.

Fact-checked 12 September 2026

Official information used for this page

Provider names, product levels and assessment descriptions can change. Check the official source and your buyer’s current wording before purchasing.

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Send the requirement, deadline or assessor query

We will identify the likely route and whether we can help. Detailed document review and written action plans are paid work with an agreed scope.

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Attach or describe the evidence already available

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