CISRS plans to exit the CSCS scheme in June 2027, allowing scaffolders to work across multiple industries under a single card scheme.
The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) has announced plans to terminate its licence agreement with the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) in June 2027. alongside the separation, the organisation intends to change its name as part of a wider strategic shift aimed at streamlining card management for working scaffolders.
The decision stems from a desire to allow qualified scaffolders to move seamlessly between different sectors—such as commercial construction, industrial engineering, and offshore projects—under a single competence card scheme. Currently, operating across distinct sectors often requires holding multiple cards, adding administrative burden and extra costs for individual operatives and scaffolding contractors.
While this update does not immediately alter the retail price of scaffolding tube, clamps, or staging platforms at trade merchants, it directly impacts the compliance and site-access requirements for access contractors and self-employed scaffolders. Tradespeople purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE), safety harnesses, or fall-arrest kit will not need to alter their buying habits, but sole traders and sub-contractors should track how main contractors update their site access rules leading up to 2027. If you are renewing qualifications or investing in high-level access gear, ensure your training credentials remain recognized on the specific commercial or residential sites you work on.
With the transition planned for mid-2027, existing CISRS cardholders do not need to take immediate action. CISRS intends to consult with industry bodies, contractors, and training providers over the coming years to establish the new framework and ensure that site managers and safety officers accept the rebranded card standard once the CSCS agreement ends.
Reported by ScaffMag — original article
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