“ARB Approved”

Nearly 40 years ago the AA established its Approved Contractor scheme to set the standard for tree work – an industry not regulated by government but one that cares for the largest living organisms on the planet in some of the most hostile growing environments.

The Approved Contractor scheme has evolved over the years. Key changes for 2011 include linking the standard to business size and dovetailing it to other health and safety schemes – making it more accessible and of more value to scheme members than ever before.

* Includes assessment fees, CHAS registration and ArbAC scheme management and promotion fees for a small business averaged over a four year period. Assumes approval at first assessment and reassessments.

To get the full details of the scheme you can either:

• scroll down this web page, or
• download an information pack and application form or
• contact us and we will send you one.

For summary information see the following links:

• what is an ARB Approved Contractor?
• benefits to you and others
• who can become and ArbAC?
• the standard (what the AA assesses)
• assessments
• what it costs
• FAQs

Here to help

The AA is here to help, see

• the technical standards (but note you will need to work out your business size to determine whether you need the standard for up to 5 people or more than 5 people)
• our web resource technical notes where you can find the relevant generic HSE guidance and also the AA’s arb-specific guidance.

 

What is an ARB Approved Contractor?

An ARB Approved Contractor (ArbAC) is a business that has been assessed by the AA, has met and continues to uphold the AA’s Standards (both the ArbAC Standard relevant to the size of the business and the AA's Codes of Ethics and Professional Conduct) and has paid the appropriate scheme management fee.

The Benefits to you and others

The benefits to you are:

• being able to charge a professional fee for a professional service
• access to select contracts
• Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) points in some contracts
• a level playing field – compete with your contemporaries, not with the cowboys
• a focus for continuous improvement and investment
• access to financial discounts, especially insurance
• access to CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme)
• through CHAS accreditation, automatic exemption from the health and safety elements of other health and safety schemes – of particular value to arb contractors are Constructionline, exor and SAFEcontractor.
• the use of the prestigious ArbAC logo
• peace of mind, knowing you have achieved the industry standard
• member discount on AA training (even if not an AA member)
• a listing in the AA’s online and hard copy Directories

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The benefits to trees

Trees are living, dynamic organisms that need appropriate management and care to ensure their safety, longevity and continued contribution to the landscape.

The benefits to tree owners

Quality assured tree care services from contractors assessed and approved by the nation's largest representative arboricultural body bring security to tree owners and managers in an industry renowned for more than its fair share of unscrupulous contractors. Tree owners can rely on ArbACs for appropriate advice and services.

Who can become an ArbAC?

Most tree work businesses are eligible to apply for ArbAC status. You don’t have to be big, you don’t need specific qualifications and it doesn’t cost the earth. In the following text you will find the details of the scheme. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us.

ArbAC status is awarded to many different types and sizes of business undertaking tree work. To apply to become an ArbAC your business must meet all of the following criteria:

1. comprise a minimum of two people (there is no maximum size)
2. undertake most of its work with its own staff (whether employed or self-employed).
   Note: subcontracting work to other businesses is acceptable so long as no more than 49% is contracted out.
3. have a competent Manager(s)
4. have appropriate insurance
5. have been trading for a minimum of two years

The underlying values of the scheme are:

• good quality tree care
• good customer care
• compliance with modern health and safety requirements
• compliance with the law

A great deal of importance is placed on the person (or persons) who control the tree work business (‘the Manager(s)’) whom the AA holds responsible for the control of all employed staff and subcontract labour, the control of subcontractors and the operation of the business in general.

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The Standard

Insurance

Applicant businesses and ArbACs must hold as a minimum:

1. Public Liability £5 million (minimum) for each and every claim
2. Employers’ Liability to an appropriate level commensurate with the size of the business

The type of cover in each area must be applicable to tree work business and must not include any unreasonable exclusion clauses (an unreasonable clause would be, for example, no work more than 15m above ground level, or no felling of trees greater than 20m in height etc.).

Manager(s) Criteria

3. No formal qualification is required but it is essential that the Manager(s) has arboricultural knowledge to at least NVQ level 2¹ and is capable of controlling a business and staff.
4. The Manager(s) should have at least five years' experience in arboricultural contracting.
5. The Manager(s) may be a sole trader, an employer, an employee, a partner or any combination.

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¹ e.g. to a level of the RFS Certificate in Arboriculture or the ISA Certified Arborist – but no actual qualification is required

Technical Standards Summary

A full schedule of the technical standards can be found in the documents below, refer to notes on business size to see which Standard applies to you.

Module	Section		Business size up to 5	Business size more than 5+
Module 1 Site safety	1.1 On site operation
Module 2 Finished work	2.1 Completed works (pruning & planting)
	2.2 Arboricultural knowledge
	2.3 Reference material
Module 3 Office support	3.1 Customer care and office systems	Basic
		Detailed
	3.2 Insurances
	3.3 Licences
	3.4 Wildlife and ecology
Module 4 Health and Safety	4.1 Health and safety management	Basic
		Detailed
	4.2 Health and safety communications and controls			Up to 19
				20+ & multi site
	4.3 Training and competence
	4.4 Environmental policy	Basic
		Detailed
	4.5 Workshop	Basic
		Detailed
	4.6 Yard (if you have one)	Basic
		Detailed
Download technical standards in full (scroll up for summary)			Up to 5	More than 5

 

The ArbAC scheme recognises that the requirements for health and safety management vary for different sizes of business. The AA requires all businesses, irrespective of size, to operate safely and within the law. Taking the health and safety policy as an example: for a business up to 5 people the requirements can be met with a basic policy (see our section Help becoming an ARB Approved Contractor for template examples), for those more than 5, a detailed policy will be required. Practical examples of how this works are provided in the box below.

As a consequence there are two different technical standards – one that applies to businesses up to 5 people and one that applies to businesses of more than 5 people. The table above highlights the difference between the two standards. To access the full detail of the technical standards see Word documents at foot of the above table. To see which set of standards applies to your business you need to determine your business size according to the following criteria.

Business size

Business size is determined by the number of people who work in your business, including yourself (the employer). Businesses are classed as either:

(a) up to 5 people in the business, or
(b) more than 5 people in the business (including larger businesses of 20+ and across multi-sites)

In working out your business size you need to add up the number of people working in the business, full time and part time, including:

• yourself (the employer)
• employed arborists
• self-employed labour-only arborists
• employed or self-employed administrators
• anyone else who is part of your business, e.g. mechanic, sawmill operator, timber truck driver (Do not include people to whom you subcontract work such as other arboricultural businesses.)

 

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Assessments

To become an ArbAC you will need to be assessed by the AA, and once you have achieved ArbAC status you will need to be reassessed regularly. Following your application we will:

• agree an assessment date with you
• send one or more² assessors to measure your compliance with the Standard

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² Depending on the size of your business
 

AA assessors are briefed to be friendly and helpful and will give detailed advice and guidance where required. The assessment process is not designed to catch you out but to be beneficial to you and your business – even if you don’t become an ArbAC. Assessors may even provide advice on items that are not covered by the assessment criteria – either verbally on the day or as an advisory note in the written report – if they think this would be helpful to you. Even though this will not affect the assessment outcome the assessors are here to help you wherever they can.

The assessment criteria are broken down into modules. It is possible to assess all modules in one day or to spread the modules over 12 months. Spreading out the modules will increase the cost as multiple visits will be required. In addition to ArbAC status, the AA is able to award CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) registration. CHAS is established as the market leader for health and safety pre-qualification assessments in the UK. It is a non-commercial scheme available to suppliers and to buyers looking for suitably competent contractors. It is dedicated to completing health and safety pre-qualification assessments to a nationally recognised and accepted standard.

The ArbAC scheme is recognised as being CHAS compliant. That means that CHAS registration and accreditation are available to contractors who meet current ArbAC scheme standards. Applicants who are successful at their ArbAC assessment will automatically be registered with CHAS, and CHAS accreditation is achieved simply by paying an annual administration fee (directly to CHAS) with no further audit required. Maintenance of CHAS accreditation is automatically achieved by maintaining your ArbAC status and undertaking annual H&S audits with the AA by a combination of document submission and assessments – see ‘The reassessment cycle’.

The first assessment

After the AA receives an application and payment for an ArbAC assessment the procedure is as follows:

1. The application form and associated documents will be reviewed.
2. The applicant’s payment will be processed
3. The applicant’s insurance questionnaire (see centre pull-out) and policy will be assessed to ensure that they provide adequate and appropriate cover and do not include any unreasonable exclusion causes. Any inadequacies must be corrected before the application can proceed.
4. The applicant’s references, ideally including at least one from a local authority, will be taken up.
5. An assessment date will be arranged to the mutual convenience of the applicant and the AA. It is advisable to expect the assessment date to be some six weeks from the date of application.
6. On the assessment day(s) the assessor(s) will measure compliance with the Standard. This will necessitate access to:
   • the applicant's office systems and paperwork
   • the applicant's stores, workshop and, if there is one, yard
   • sites of work completed by the applicant, including tree planting, crown reduction and crown thinning
   • work in progress at a ‘live’ site. This must include a demonstration of rigging competence (ideally as part of a sectional felling operation).
   Working through the Standard will enable the arboricultural, business management and health and safety competencies of the Manager(s) to be assessed.
7. After the assessment day the AA will inform the contractor of the outcome of the assessment and subsequently issue a report to the applicant. In most instances this report will be issued within 14 days.

 

The outcome of first assessment

The following are the possible outcomes:

1. ArbAC status is awarded as a result of full compliance with the Standard and no further action is required.
2. Provisional ArbAC status is awarded as a result of minor non-compliance and a time period (usually 3 months) is given in which these minor issues are to be rectified.

In the case of full compliance and minor non-compliance the AA issues a certificate, Manager's identification card(s), sample vehicle livery and an electronic copy of the ArbAC logo (Collective Mark). In the case of minor noncompliance ArbAC status is temporary during the time period given for rectification. The status is either confirmed or expires depending on whether the minor non-compliance matters are rectified within the agreed timescale to the satisfaction of the AA.

3. ArbAC status is deferred because of non-compliance until compliance is demonstrated by either submission of documents or by a further assessment visit. If a further assessment visit is required it is normally restricted to the assessment of areas of the Standard where compliance has not been achieved.
4. ArbAC status is not awarded because of major non-compliance. A further assessment visit will be required, normally covering the full Standard.

Maintaining ArbAC status

Once ArbAC status has been attained, the process for maintaining it is as follows:

1. pay the annual scheme management fee when due and make the necessary submissions³
2. pay the relevant reassessment fees when due (see The reassessment cycle and fee structure)
3. maintain compliance with the Standards
4. pass the ArbAC reassessment.

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³ Insurance documents, health and safety policy statement and declarations of compliance with scheme standards
 

The reassessment cycle

In order to ensure the standards of ArbACs are maintained, ArbACs are reassessed on a regular cycle. The nature of the reassessment depends on the size of the business and whether it is registered with CHAS through the AA.

	Small business	Larger business (more than 5 people)
Business size and assessment type	up to 5 people	more than 5, fewer than 20	20 or more	Multi-site
To achieve ArbAC	Full criteria 1 assessor	Full criteria 2 assessors	Full criteria 3 assessors	Full criteria multi assessors
1 year on from achievement	Desktop CHAS assessment only if CHAS accredited through the AA
2 years on from achievement	Part criteria 1 assessor*	Part criteria 1 assessor	Part criteria 2 assessors	Part criteria 2 assessors
3 years on from achievement	Desktop CHAS assessment only if CHAS accredited through the AA
4 years on from achievement	Full criteria 1 assessor	Full criteria 2 assessors	Full criteria 3 assessors	Full criteria multi assessors

*This part-criteria assessment is not expected to take a full day

The four-year reassessment cycle:

The AA will arrange your reassessment dates in advance and these are normally non-negotiable, other than in exceptional circumstances.

Reassessment may be required before the dates determined by the above cycle. The grounds for an early reassessment are:

1. change in the Manager(s)⁵ will require a reassessment
2. change in business location⁶ will require a reassessment
3. an upheld complaint against the ArbAC may require reassessment, depending on the circumstances
4. changes of business ownership, business name or other significant change to the business that could affect client satisfaction may also trigger reassessment. The Scheme Manager will decide whether reassessment is required and may liaise with the Arboricultural Association’s Professional Committee for guidance.

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⁴ If you choose to maintain CHAS registration/accreditation through the AA you will be required to undergo a desktop health and safety assessment at 1 year on and 3 years on from assessment.
⁵ If (a) the only Manager moves on or (b) if both of two Managers move on or (c) to add a Manager to the business
⁶ Any change that affects the operation of the business – such as stores, yard or depot. Movement of an administration base without moving operational areas will not normally require reassessment.
 

If a reassessment is triggered by any of the above the ArbAC will be liable for reassessment fees. The fees will be charged at the day rate shown for Pre-assessment visits (see section on Fee Structure) and the number of days or part days will depend on the extent of the reassessment.

In addition to the above the AA reserves the right to reassess ArbACs for their compliance with the Standard at any time. No reassessment fee will be charged for reassessment in such circumstances.

The reassessment process

Four years on from the initial achievement of ArbAC status the cycle starts again. The reassessment process is the same as for the first assessment except:

1. no application form is required
2. you will be invoiced for your reassessment and your invoice must be paid prior to the reassessment
3. no insurance questionnaire needs to be completed (as the AA holds your insurance record on file and updates it annually)
4. references are not required
5. you will automatically be notified of the reassessment date well in advance

 

The outcome of reassessment

The following are the possible outcomes:

1. ArbAC status is maintained as a result of full compliance with the Standards
2. ArbAC status is maintained for a time period (usually 3–6 months) whilst issues of non-compliance are rectified. Failure to demonstrate that these areas have been rectified within the time period will result in ArbAC status being withdrawn. ArbAC status will only be reinstated when compliance with the Standard is demonstrated, either as a result of submission of evidence relating to non-compliant criteria or by a full reassessment, whichever is determined appropriate by the scheme manager.
3. ArbAC status is withdrawn because of major non-compliance. ArbAC status will only be reinstated when compliance with the Standard s demonstrated, either as a result of submission of evidence relating to noncompliant criteria or by a full reassessment, whichever is determined appropriate by the scheme manager.

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Are you ready?

Before you request an assessment, there are easy ways to find out if your business is ready:

• attend an ArbAC preparation workshop
• ask the AA for a pre-assessment visit

These options could help you find out more and may save you from the costs of a premature application. However, whilst strongly recommended, they are not obligatory and you can apply for assessment at any time.

Contact the scheme manager for current ‘lead in’ periods for assessments.

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What will it cost?

1. Pre-assessment visit by the AA (optional)

All businesses: £495 per day

2. Assessment and Reassessment fees

Business size and assessment type	Small business	Large business
	1–5 people	6–19 people	20 or more people	Multi-site
Assessment prior to achieving ArbAC status (including CHAS registration)	£495	£995	£1,495	TBA, usually £995 or £1,495* + £595 per additional site
1 year on from achievement (only if CHAS accredited)	£75	£140	£160	TBA, usually £140 or £160* + £75 per additional site
2 years on from achievement (including CHAS re-registration)	£345	£595	£1,095	TBA, usually £595 or £1,095* + £495 per additional site
3 years on from achievement (only if CHAS accredited)	£75	£140	£160	TBA, usually £140 or £160* + £75 per additional site
4 years on from achievement (including CHAS re-registration)	£495	£995	£1,495	TBA, usually £995 or £1,495* + £595 per additional site

* Dependent on whether the main site is under 20 people or 20+ people.

Notes:

1. These fees are for your assessment, advice, verbal feedback and written report. Once the standard has been met
1. (a) the scheme management fee (see 3 below), becomes payable, initially pro-rata
2. (b) if you wish to upgrade your CHAS registration (automatically included with ArbAC status) to CHAS accreditation a fee is payable direct to CHAS⁷
2. The fees shown cover one day of assessment with one, two or three assessors, dependent on the business size (2–5, 6–19 and 20+ people respectively). Fees for multi-site businesses will vary according to size and the number of sites.
3. It is possible to complete the full assessment (all four modules) in one day. Applicants may, however, choose to spread modules across two or more days. The fees shown will be applicable for each day of assessment.
4. To help small businesses where, for example, the main manager is also the main climber, the AA can offer to undertake the assessment over two consecutive days with a reduced daily fee for the second day of £295.
5. If the outcome of an assessment is non-compliance further assessment will be required. The type of further assessment will depend on the degree of non-compliance (see section 4, page 12) and will be either:
1. (a) submission of evidence of compliance by post or email, when a charge of £90 will apply,
   or
2. (b) revisit of assessor(s) when a charge of £495 per assessor per day will apply.

 

3. Annual scheme management fee

Business size and assessment type	Small business	Large business
	1–5 people	6–19 people	20 or more people	Multi-site
Scheme management fee (includes advert in one Directory region)	£260	£460	£660	TBA, usually £460 or £660* + £260 or £460* per additional site
Entry in additional Directory regions, per region	£60	£75	£100	—

* Dependent on whether the main site is under 20 people or 20+ people.

Note: The above subscription fees are for 12 months. A pro-rata amount will be due following initial approval (e.g. if your initial approval is in September the subscription amount will be 4/12ths of the amount shown).

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⁷ This fee is set by CHAS; for current rates see www.chas.gov.uk
 

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Frequently asked questions

The AA is here to help. If we haven’t yet answered all your questions and the FAQs below don’t clear up any outstanding issues please do contact us. Don’t forget you can download an information pack which you may find useful. Don’t forget also to go to our Technical Notes section for helpful guidance, templates, proformas and associated notes on subjects including:

• Preparing a Health and Safety Policy for a small business
• Preparing a Work at Height Policy
• Preparing a Risk Assessment and method statement
• Control of Substances Harmful to Health (CoSHH): procedures and recording
• Training, qualifications and certifications: requirements and recording
• Keeping track on sub-contractors

1. Do I, or the business, have to be an AA member to become an ArbAC?
   No. You will receive many benefits from AA membership but membership is not an essential requirement.
2. How long does an ArbAC licence last?
   Four years, provided that you comply with the requirements of the scheme during that period (which include maintaining the Standard, paying an annual subscription, making annual paperwork submissions or declarations* and being successful at a scaled-down interim assessment after two years).
   *The annual paperwork submissions are Insurance documents, health and safety policy statement and declarations of compliance with scheme standards
3. What is checked at the interim assessments?
   Interim assessments (two years after full assessment) do not examine the full Standard but focus on health and safety compliance, worksite management and work (tree surgery) quality.
4. What qualifications do I need to become an ArbAC?
   None, but attainment of an arb specific qualification is encouraged. See further information in the section Manager(s) Criteria.
5. Can an ArbAC use sub contractors?
   Yes, so long as the majority of the ArbAC’s work is undertaken “in house”.
6. Am I too small to be an ArbAC?
   The minimum size is two people (which may be one person and a sub-contract labourer).
7. I don’t have a yard or workshop. Is this a problem?
   You do not have to have a yard or workshop. Some small businesses operate from a home-office with vehicles kept on the driveway and tools and equipment kept in the garage. This is perfectly acceptable.
8. Do I need NPTC CS41 (Undertake sectional felling operations involving the use of rigging equipment)?
   It depends what you do: the answer is yes if you undertake sectional felling operations involving the use of rigging equipment. It is unlikely that all operatives in the business will need this certificate of competence but at least one operative will need it.
9. Do I get CHAS⁸ accreditation with ArbAC?
   The health and safety elements of the ArbAC scheme are CHAS compliant. By becoming an ArbAC we will automatically register you with CHAS (unless you tell us not to). Thereafter, for a small administration fee, you can apply directly to CHAS for ‘accreditation’ status (no further assessment is required at this stage).
10. I am already CHAS accredited, will that affect my ArbAC assessment (can I omit the H&S parts of the assessment)?
    No, the AA still needs to satisfy itself that the business is H&S compliant and in an arboricultural context.
11. Can I object to a particular assessor undertaking the assessment?
    Yes, but you will have to explain your reasons. The Scheme Manager will look at your reasons and provided he considers them to be reasonable (normally a possible conflict of interest), alternative assessor(s) will be found. The Scheme Manager may refer to the AA Professional Committee for guidance.
12. If I am not successful at assessment can I appeal?
    A right of appeal exists for applicants aggrieved at the decision. But do bear in mind that a full explanation of any areas found not compliant/competent will be provided by the Lead Assessor and advice will be offered on how best to rectify these.

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⁸ The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme.
 

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