Use of Common Assessment Standard
Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has confirmed that suppliers bidding for its new £120 billion Construction Works and Associated Services 3 including ProCure 24 (CWAS3) framework will need to be certified to the Common Assessment Standard in line with PPN 03/24. The eight‐year framework will run from January 2027 until January 2035.
The invitation to tender will open in March, with seven lots including general construction projects, civil engineering and infrastructure, and offsite solutions. The Q&A logpublished in advance of the invitation to tender states that suppliers can obtain certification to the Common Assessment Standard from any one of the Recognised Assessment Bodies. Suppliers that have not been certified by Achilles will need to share their data at no cost with Achilles as that is the platform that CCS will be using to manage supplier data for the CWAS3 framework.
As the Common Assessment Standard continues to grow, Build UK has updated the logo to include the registered trademark symbol. This demonstrates that the logo and the wording are trademarked and will help to protect against misuse. Companies certified to the Common Assessment Standard should use the appropriate desktop or site‐based logo and can contact their Recognised Assessment Body for the updated version.
Want to change the Fencing Standards of the future? Become a Committee Chair
We are pleased to announce that the 1st phase of Committee Chair and Deputy Chair recruitment for 2026 is now underway.
Becoming a Committee Chair offers a unique opportunity to become a driving force in the standards development process, using your experience and insights to make a real difference.
Follow the links below to find out which committees are recruiting and for more information on the application process.
**Deadline for applications is 16 March 2026.
If you have any questions regarding the Committee Chair / Deputy Chair recruitment process, please do get in touch at standardsmakers@bsigroup.com.
New eLearning Module Launched for the Fencing Industry by LineWatch
We’re pleased to announce the launch by LineWatch of a new eLearning module designed specifically for the fencing industry.
This free, online module has been developed to support landowners, contractors, farm workers, and others operating within the sector to better understand safe digging practices and reduce the risk of damaging underground utilities.
The course:
- Is completely free of charge
- Takes approximately 20 minutes to complete
- Provides a certificate upon completion
- Is accessible online at any time
You can access the module via their Learning homepage here:
👉 https://www.safe-digging.co.uk/
Over the coming weeks, LineWatch will be promoting the module across agricultural colleges, contractor forums, and other industry networks. In the meantime, we encourage members to share the link with any landowners, contractors, or relevant contacts who may benefit from this training.
By raising awareness and improving understanding across the agricultural sector, we can all help to promote safer digging practices and protect vital underground infrastructure.
International Women’s Day – Celebrating Women in Fencing
With International Women’s Day approaching on 8 March, the AFI will be shining a spotlight on the women who support, lead and shape the fencing industry.
From office-based roles and operations to leadership positions and on-site work, women play a vital part in maintaining standards, driving excellence and strengthening our sector. Over the coming weeks, we will be highlighting the breadth of roles women hold across the industry and celebrating their achievements.
Our dedicated social media campaign will begin at the end of next week, recognising the contribution women make across our membership and the wider fencing community.
We look forward to marking International Women’s Day and celebrating the women helping to move the fencing industry forward.