The Lawn Assured Standard Accreditation
“BASIS Lawn Assured is a Government supported initiative to establish a benchmark of good practice in the lawn care industry. It is supported by the UKLCA and other major players in the UK lawncare market. As such it is likely to become the future standard by which lawn care companies are measured”
On February 4th 2020 the Amenity Forum launched the Amenity Standard which will become the ‘red tractor’ equivalent emblem to show those operating to the Standard and displaying its logo will demonstrate their adherence to recognised assured standards in all tasks undertaken.
With the encouraging news that the GreenThumb and Greensleeves Franchises have agreed to support this ‘best practice’ initiative it is hoped that other Franchises will sign up and come in line with Independent Operators.
BASIS launched the Lawn Assured standard in October 2017 after the sector was seen to need a standard similar to that of the established Amenity Assured Standard, where a voluntary approach was required to demonstrate to both the public and regulatory authorities that the industry is taking the responsible use of pesticides seriously via independent verification.
BASIS aims to help companies meet legal, regulatory and best practice standards. Their auditing team are very experienced and highly trained individuals who will advise and assist but the fact that an independent audit has taken place will help to reassure the regulatory bodies and the general public that pesticides are used responsibly and the public, our employees and environment are protected. This meets with the National Action Plan and the requirements of the Sustainable Use Directive with regard to non-agricultural use of professional pesticides.
UK Lawn Care Association Members can join the scheme and become accredited within the ‘organisational membership’ category and make a significant financial saving at the same time.
The self-audit form
Following receipt of a completed application form, the nominated person will receive a self-audit questionnaire from BASIS for completion and return.
- This will cover areas including the qualifications of your operators, where and how you store your pesticide products, aspects of Health & Safety, how you record your risk assessments, transport of pesticides products and how you deal with customer complaints. BASIS will provide feedback based on your answers and help you rectify issues in areas which may not be fully compliant with the standard. There will be a time-frame for rectifying faults. Evidence (documentary and photographic) may need to be submitted to BASIS to ensure the actions have been fully rectified.
- An on-site visit which entails an auditor shadowing one of the operators/technicians on a few service calls, may be conducted. The auditor will discuss areas of the assessment with the operator/technician. For example, how the lawn is assessed, how the PPE kit is used and the paperwork carried on the vehicle.This visit should reflect the answers previously given in the self– audit questionnaire.
- Step 1. Complete and return the application form to the LCA (secretary@uklawncare.net)
- Step 2. LCA to arrange GoCardless to collect fees from participating Members
- Step 3. LCA to send payment and the list of participating companies to BASIS
- Step 4. BASIS will send self-audit questionnaires for completion and return (to BASIS)
- Step 5. BASIS will assess the questionnaire and offer feedback accordingly
Prices on application to the Secretary.
