NSI announces suspension of audit activity until 31st May

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has announced suspension of all audit activity commencing 6^th April until 31^st May 2020 inclusive.

All approved companies in the security and fire sector are working hard to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, prioritising the health and wellbeing of staff and taking necessary steps to support their customers and maintain business continuity. The professional industry is practising social distancing regulation to support customers and end users, and maintaining standards with best endeavours.

It is clear some approved companies are under stress or extreme stress, adapting to their immediate situation, and the continuation of NSI audit and assessment activity as the pandemic unfolds is untenable, says the Inspectorate.

In order to best support industry and the approved company community, NSI is suspending all audit and assessment activity from 6^th April until at least 31^st May 2020 inclusive.

This action is taken with the support of stakeholders who understand pursuing a ‘business as usual’ stance serves little purpose and may have adverse consequences in the current extreme circumstances.

Any NSI approval due to expire before 31st May 2020 will be automatically extended for a limited period, unless evidence dictates otherwise. Should individual companies seek audit/assessments in this period, they may contact NSI.

The Inspectorate’s operations teams are being furloughed for the period 6^th April – 31^st May 2020. NSI will resume its activities when, in due course, Government restrictions are relaxed.

Richard Jenkins Chief Executive commented: “The COVID-19 situation continues to evolve rapidly and NSI is taking appropriate measures in these extreme circumstances.

“NSI fully recognises that suspending routine scrutiny of approved businesses facing the challenges of the pandemic is wholly appropriate. We are standing by to resume all audit programmes as and when the current crisis stabilises.”

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