STA ASSURE
Offering reassurance to the construction community that our members meet or even exceed current legislation and regulatory requirements.
STA Assure is the STA’s Quality Assurance Scheme that provides confidence in the use of structural timber and determines member competency and compliance.
Our main goal at the STA is to promote the use of structural timber in construction as timber presents our best opportunity for meeting the UK’s net zero commitments by 2050. As such, the quality and standards of timber construction must be to the highest degree; therefore, accreditation is crucial to providing investors and insurers with evidence that companies are held to high standards.
THE SCHEME
Our STA Assure scheme provides solid reassurances to the construction community that our members meet or exceed current legislation and regulatory requirements. Recognised by warranty providers, as well as other key stakeholders including insurers, STA Assure ensures that we remain on top of the constantly evolving changes to quality and standards.
In January 2019, the STA reached a formal agreement with the NHBC, stating the NHBC will accept STA Assure Gold members as compliant with Chapter 6.2 of NHBC’s assessment processes for timber structures without the need for further review or completing an HB2445 form. Seven other industry-leading structural warranty and building control bodies also formally recognise the scheme: LABC Warranty, Premier Guarantee, Protek Warranty, Build-Zone Warranty, Self-Build Zone Warranty, BuildStore BuildCare Warranty and ABC+ Warranty.
The robust assessment process ensures that design, production, and site assembly processes and quality controls are in line with customers’ expectations for consistent, high levels of quality. Please note that for members to attain STA Assure accreditation, the installers that they contract with must have successfully completed the STA’s Installer Training Scheme (ITS).
The member appraisal also includes a Site Safe audit – validating CDM compliance and Health & Safety Executive requirements for the protection and registration of timber structures during construction.
WHY USE AN STA MEMBER?
Our stringent quality assurance programme is specifically designed to offer reassurances to both clients and stakeholders that all STA member companies operated to an independently audited quality standard.
- STA Assure accreditation assures competent management processes
- Both manufacturing and site installation are part of the STA Assure audit process
- STA Assure has three levels of accreditation based on quality standards
- Mandatory adherence to the Site Safe Scheme is a fundamental part of STA Assure
- STA Assure has formal recognition from all leading UK warranty providers
- Independently certified competency scheme created and managed by STA
- STA is committed to the continuous improvement of the STA Assure quality programme
INSTALLER / DESIGNER SELF-DECLARATION PORTAL AVAILABLE FROM NOVEMBER
As part of the ongoing development of the STA Assure scheme, we are pleased to announce that the Installer and Designer Self-Declaration Portal will be available from November 2026.
The STA Assure assessment process is evolving to provide greater confidence in the quality, competence and standards demonstrated across the timber frame sector. From January 2027, an enhanced auditing process will be introduced, incorporating independent verification and a more consistent approach to the assessment of evidence. This will align the Installer and Designer assessment process more closely with the established framework already in place for Manufacturers and Integrators.
These improvements are designed to strengthen the credibility of STA Assure accreditation, support the continual improvement of industry standards, and provide clients, housebuilders and warranty providers with increased confidence in the organisations and individuals holding STA Assure status.
Please note: Participation in this enhanced assessment process remains voluntary for Installers and Designers and is not a mandatory requirement for STA membership.
