SAFed to cease issuing CSCS-logoed cards
Published: March 21, 2025
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) announces that the Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed) has chosen to withdraw from the CSCS Alliance and will no longer issue CSCS-logoed cards from 21st April 2025.
As the owner of the CSCS logo, CSCS Limited oversees the licensing process for all 38 card schemes that display the CSCS logo. Collectively, these schemes are known as the CSCS Alliance.
CSCS and SAFed are committed to minimising disruption and ensuring SAFed card holders will not be prevented from accessing construction sites. Sites are advised to continue accepting CSCS-logoed SAFed cards until 30th September 2025, as long as they are still valid and within the original expiry date.
SAFed cardholders, or their employers, have until this date to replace their cards via CSCS or through TWI Certification Ltd (TWI Cert) via their Certification Scheme for Personnel (CSWIP).
What cardholders need to do
SAFed cardholders should take the following steps before 30th September 2025:
- If you work as a Steel Fabricator Welder or a Stud Welder: You can replace your SAFed issued card through CSCS
- If you work in all other welding occupations or are a Welding Inspector: You can replace your SAFed issued card via TWI Cert
- If you work as an Engineer Surveyor: You can obtain a CSCS card via CSCS.
The transition provides the opportunity for cardholders to obtain a new industry recognised card that is fully compliant with Construction Leadership Council recommendations. These state that all cards displaying the CSCS logo should be smart and compatible with CSCS Smart Check.
CSCS Smart Check is the industry’s leading card verification system, allowing all 2.3 million cards displaying the CSCS logo to be verified using a single platform. CSCS Smart Check provides employers with a quick, easy and secure way of ensuring everyone has the correct card, training and qualifications for the job they do.
To ensure a smooth transition and avoid any delays in renewing their cards, SAFed cardholders are encouraged to contact the relevant card scheme as early as possible. By doing so, the card scheme can establish what (if any) additional steps are required before issuing a new card. Early engagement will help cardholders meet the 30th September 2025 deadline and ensure continued access to construction sites.
Sean Kearns, CSCS Group Chief Executive, stated: “While SAFed will no longer participate as a CSCS Alliance licensee, we deeply value their contributions over the years. We appreciate their ongoing commitment to the independent engineering testing, inspection, and certification sectors and look forward to maintaining a strong relationship with the SAFed team.”
Caroline Hamilton, Chief Executive of SAFed, said: “SAFed has been a proud member of the CSCS Alliance for a decade and recognises the value of the One Industry Logo approach. As part of this transition, SAFed members will revert to issuing their SAFed health and safety passport card to Engineer Surveyors to support consistency in the testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) sector.
“We are actively communicating these changes with our clients. SAFed are also working with their members who provide personnel certification alongside CSCS to ensure that CSCS cards can be re-issued with minimal disruption and in a fair manner.”
CSCS remains committed to raising standards and safety across the industry. With over two million UK construction workers holding CSCS-logoed cards, the CSCS Alliance continues to play a critical role in ensuring individuals are trained and qualified for their roles.
For further details on how Engineer Surveyors, Steel Fabricator Welders and Stud Welders can apply for a card via CSCS, please visit: www.cscs.uk.com/SAFed.
For information on how all other welding occupations (and Welding Inspectors) can apply for a card via TWI Cert please visit: www.twicertification.com or contact cscspartner@twicertification.com.