Amenity Assured Standard

JAPANESE KNOTWEED SOLUTIONS SUPPORT THE AMENITY ASSURED STANDARD

Japanese Knotweed Solutions Limited (JKSL) is proud to meet and support the Amenity Assured Standard.

The Amenity Assured Standard is a benchmarking scheme run by BASIS [Registration] Ltd. – the independent organisation set up to establish and assess standards in the UK pesticide industry.

BASIS maintains the Amenity Assured register of companies who can demonstrate that their operating methods comply with best-practice for pest control in amenity situations. In the words of BASIS:

“These methods respect and incorporate high regard for safety to the public, the environment, for water protection and cost-effective programmes of work”

UK invasive species trade body INNSA requires its members to be accredited to the Amenity Assured Standard – as well as to adopt the INNSA Code of Practice, work to the INNSA Standards [http://www.innsa.org/the-innsa-standards.html] and meet strict membership criteria [http://www.innsa.org/membership-accreditation-criteria.html] – to ensure that only the best invasive species contractors in the UK can display the INNSA badge.

The Amenity Assured Standard is highly relevant to the invasive species control industry, as many of the most damaging non-native species in the UK are plants such as Japanese knotweed and Rhododendron ponticum, and water-based species, including killer shrimp (Dikerogammarus villosus), zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides).

While it is rare to encounter these water-borne species in the course of amenity works, invasive plant species such as Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and giant hogweed are all commonly found in amenity settings, near watercourses, and in environmentally sensitive areas – meaning that ensuring protection for the public, the environment and our watercourses is paramount.

It is critical that pesticide use and invasive species management are carried out responsibly. The Amenity Assured Standard is defined in conjunction with the Amenity Forum, NPTC and the NAAC and recognised by the UK Chemicals Regulation Directorate, meaning that it meets the standards set by many of the most important and most highly-recognised authorities in the field of UK pest management.

To demonstrate compliance with the Amenity Assured Standard requires submission of a comprehensive audit questionnaire covering all aspects of pesticide management within the organisation, and also requires an on-site visit and audit of the company’s operational standards. An unannounced visit to an active site should be carried out at least once a year for every company on the register. These requirements go well beyond the minimum legal requirements, and ensure best practice from all Amenity Assured members.

Once satisfactorily completed, these checks must be repeated on an annual basis, and non-compliant organisations will be suspended or have certification withdrawn.

As part of our industry-leading approach, Japanese Knotweed Solutions spray operatives are in the process of being registered with the new BASIS Spray Operatives Register (formerly NaSOR). All of our Site teams undergo training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to ensure that they are aware of new developments, and performing to the best of their abilities.

Our BASIS-certified Managing Director and Operations Manager implement and oversee a strictly controlled, ISO:9001 and ISO:14001-accredited management system to ensure that JKSL comply with all relevant best practice guidelines for working in the invasive species industry, and managing our works in amenity, construction, civil engineering and housebuilding scenarios.

Furthermore, you can count on JKSL and any INNSA Contractor Member to deliver a cost-effective, high standard of works when carrying out works for domestic clients. The same processes and safeguards are applied for all JKSL’s works – regardless of who our clients are.

Japanese Knotweed Solutions and INNSA acknowledge that a key part of best practice is to adequately address customer concerns, and the Amenity Assured Standard requires the proper recording of and responding to customer issues, using the INNSA Complaints Procedure.

Amenity Assured Membership is available to any contractor working in the UK, and further information can be found on the BASIS website, www.basis-reg.com.

INNSA Membership is available to any UK Consultant, Contractor or affiliate, and further information can be found on the INNSA website, www.innsa.org.

A full list of all UK companies certified to the Amenity Assured Standard can be found online, www.basis-reg.co.uk.