E031:08 18 June 2008

Health and Safety Executive names preferred bidder to run new gas installer scheme in Great Britain

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today announced CAPITA as its preferred bidder in the competition to provide a new gas installer registration scheme in Great Britain. This scheme will replace the one currently operated by CORGI.

The new scheme, which will start in April 2009, is set to bring improved domestic gas safety and benefits to both consumers and gas installers.

Geoffrey Podger, Chief Executive, HSE said, "I would like to thank CORGI for their contribution over the years to the installer registration scheme; and I look forward to CAPITA bringing a fresh approach to gas safety and improved value for money to the new scheme."

The new scheme will strengthen and improve the governance and performance management arrangements between HSE and the new scheme provider. CAPITA will have incentives to continuously improve gas safety and services to gas consumers and installers. But there will also be financial implications should they not meet the agreed performance indicators.

While the number of gas related fatalities has fallen over recent years, tragic incidents still occur. The new scheme is designed to give the provider a key role in coordinating industry action to raise public awareness of gas safety risks and especially carbon monoxide poisoning and so reduce further deaths and incidents.

CAPITA will be required to establish and promote a new independent brand which will be an excellent opportunity to promote gas safety messages.

HSE is responsible for regulating domestic gas safety in GB and does this largely through the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

Over the next few months the preferred bidder, CAPITA will be involved in detailed discussions with HSE to firm up the contractual arrangements due to be signed this autumn.

Notes to editors

At present, CORGI (Council of Registered Gas Installers) is approved by HSE to undertake this task. It maintains an up-to-date register of gas installers who are qualified to install or repair gas fittings and appliances.
The new scheme takes forward recommendations arising from the HSE’s review of the domestic gas safety regime and the views expressed by stakeholders. Oversight of the new regime will remain with the HSE. Further details of these recommendations can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/safetyreview.htm
During 2007, HSE embarked on a competition to appoint a provider to run a new scheme. In July, HSE published a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union. This was followed by a pre-qualification process to determine bidders for a competitive tender exercise. As part of this second stage of the competition, HSE issued Invitation to Tender documents to short-listed companies on 25 January 2008. The tender process was independently chaired to ensure impartiality and HSE also drew on advice from external stakeholders close to the industry.
HSE will act as custodian of the new gas safety brand on behalf of gas installers. The new scheme provider will be in the lead on this but the brand will be developed with HSE agreement.
Further information on domestic gas safety issues can be found on the HSE web site at http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/index.htm

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