To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his written statement of 16 February 2006, on the Private Security Industry Approved Contractor Scheme, what assessment he has made of whether companies that have obtained (a) UKAS Quality Assurance standards (EN 45012) or (b) UKAS Product Certification standards (EN 45011) specific to the security industry should be passported through to membership of the scheme. (59022)

It is not currently possible for a company to achieve ACS accreditation via the passporting route. The SIA is currently in discussion with one certification body that is preparing an application for accreditation of a passport scheme. No other expressions of interest have been received to date.

Companies that meet standards that do not directly and exactly cover all the 89 indicators or that cover other criteria in more depth may be eligible for the Fast Track route. This includes companies that have met relevant quality assurance standards and product certification standards as assessed by a UKAS accredited body under EN 45011 and/or EN 45012.