Five organisations from across construction, infrastructure, property technology and local government have joined Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) as Supporter Members, underlining the growing industry focus on standardised contractor assurance and more efficient procurement processes.
The new members – Medlock FRB, Plentific, Spacebands, Stockton Drilling Limited and Winchester City Council – have all joined SSIP over the past six months, becoming part of a wider industry forum committed to improving health and safety standards and reducing duplication in supplier assessment.
The move comes at a time when organisations across the built environment are under increasing pressure to demonstrate robust supply chain governance while avoiding unnecessary administrative burden for both buyers and contractors.
SSIP Supporter Membership is designed to help organisations strengthen health and safety competency within procurement processes while improving efficiency by avoiding duplicating health and safety assessments through the use of recognised SSIP certification.
The breadth of the new members reflects the increasingly diverse range of organisations looking to standardise contractor assurance.
Property technology platform Plentific, which connects housing providers, local authorities and property owners with contractors delivering repairs, maintenance and compliance services, sees SSIP as a key part of creating greater consistency across its growing contractor network.
A spokesperson for the organisation said SSIP certification supports contractor pre-qualification checks by helping ensure consistency, compliance and reduced onboarding friction across the supply chain.
“Joining SSIP as a Supporter Member aligns with our commitment to health, safety and compliance best practice across our marketplace,” they said. “It helps improve efficiency and consistency in pre-qualification standards while providing additional assurance to our clients that contractors meet robust health and safety requirements.”
Construction specialist Medlock FRB joined SSIP in November 2025, citing its commitment to maintaining high standards of health, safety and compliance across its fit-out, refurbishment and construction activities.
The company said becoming a Supporter Member reinforces its commitment to responsible and compliant business practices and allows it to be part of a network focused on raising standards across industry.
Technology company Spacebands, which has developed wearable technology designed to protect workers from hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), noise and proximity hazards, joined SSIP in January 2026.
The company described Supporter Membership as a natural fit with its focus on proactive risk reduction.
“Aligning with an organisation that standardises and raises health and safety across the industry was important to us,” a spokesperson said. “It allows us to contribute to a wider ecosystem focused on prevention, not just compliance.”
Infrastructure and trenchless technology specialist Stockton Drilling Limited joined in March 2026 and highlighted the role SSIP plays in supporting consistent supplier assurance across complex projects.
The company said SSIP streamlines health and safety verification while helping ensure suppliers meet the same high standards expected throughout its operations.
The public sector is also continuing to recognise the value of standardised assessment frameworks.
Winchester City Council became a Supporter Member in May 2026, highlighting the need to balance robust contractor assessment with proportionate procurement requirements.
A spokesperson for the Council said: “We are keen to reduce the burden of tenders on bidders whilst not being overly specific as to which accreditation we will accept. SSIP meets these objectives by covering such a broad range of memberships and certification bodies.”
The latest additions to the SSIP community reflect a wider shift taking place across procurement and supply chain management, where organisations are increasingly looking for recognised frameworks that improve consistency, reduce duplication and strengthen confidence in contractor competence.
The Chair of SSIP, Eleanor Eaton (CMIOSH, FIIRSM, PGCert), said: “It is fantastic to see such a diverse group of organisations joining SSIP as Supporter Members. Their commitment to improving health and safety, while embracing smarter, more streamlined procurement practices, highlights exactly why SSIP continues to grow as a trusted framework for industry collaboration.”
As regulatory expectations continue to evolve and supply chains become more complex, the role of independent assessment and common standards is becoming increasingly important across the construction, facilities management and property sectors.
Struggling Young Jobseekers Warned as Fake AI Job Adverts Surge – Expert Reveals Warning Signs