CMS Certification Competence Management System Assessment

The Competence Management System (CMS) is an established technical framework designed to help organisations demonstrate robust management of technical competence.
Developed by Energy & Utility Skills, CMS ensures that staff impacting environmental performance are appropriately trained, competent, and effectively managed. Recognised by Defra, the Environment Agency, the Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, and SEPA, CMS certification confirms that an organisation operates within a structured, transparent, and auditable competence management system — aligning with the principles of ISO management standards such as ISO 14001.

Receive a quote tailored to your needs

+44 (0) 800 052 2424 Contact us Get a quote

What is CMS?

CMS Version 5 provides a structured framework for organisations to demonstrate that all personnel involved in permitted activities are competent for their roles. The system defines clear processes for identifying training needs, assessing competence, and maintaining records in line with both legal and operational requirements.

Alignment with ISO Standards:
The latest release, CMS Version 5 (September 2021), adopts the Annex SL structure, consistent with international ISO management system standards. This alignment simplifies the integration of CMS with existing ISO-based systems such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, supporting a unified approach to compliance and competence management.

Transition Deadline:
Organisations certified to earlier versions of CMS must transition to Version 5 by 31 March 2024 to maintain certification and compliance.

 

Benefits of the Service

Implementing CMS certification with Kiwa demonstrates that your organisation:

  • Meets legal and regulatory requirements
    Satisfies the competence condition of your environmental permit and demonstrates compliance with environmental legislation.
  • Ensures operational consistency
    Provides a systematic approach to competence that supports consistent operations across sites and departments.
  • Reduces dependency on individuals
    Removes reliance on a single technically competent person, ensuring continuous compliance even during absences or personnel changes.
  • Improves environmental performance
    Raises awareness of environmental risks, emergency procedures, and permit conditions among staff — helping reduce incident rates and downtime.
  • Supports personal and professional development
    Promotes training, upskilling, and knowledge sharing, helping staff grow within their roles and contribute more effectively.
  • Integrates with other management systems
    CMS follows the Plan–Do–Check–Act (PDCA) structure and can easily be integrated with ISO 14001 or other management system standards.

 

Why Choose Kiwa?

Kiwa enables organisations to demonstrate compliance, technical competence, and a commitment to sustainable practices. Certification specialists at Kiwa combine in-depth technical expertise with practical knowledge of environmental regulations and operational requirements.

Working with clients throughout the UK and internationally, Kiwa supports the implementation, integration, and continual improvement of management systems. By choosing Kiwa, organisations benefit from an independent, trusted partner dedicated to helping them operate efficiently and responsibly — beyond the certification process.

The certification process with Kiwa

    Initial Preparation and Planning

    Kiwa begins by gaining a thorough understanding of the organisation’s operations and current competence management practices. This stage may include a gap analysis to identify areas for improvement and ensure readiness for assessment.

    Assessment – Two-Stage Audit

    The certification process involves a two-stage audit. Stage 1 focuses on reviewing documentation and evaluating the system’s readiness for certification. Stage 2 consists of an on-site assessment to verify the effective implementation of competence management practices.

    Certification and Ongoing Improvement

    After successful completion of both audit stages, Kiwa issues the CMS certificate. Regular surveillance audits are conducted to confirm ongoing compliance, effectiveness, and alignment with current requirements — supporting continuous improvement.

Who should be CMS Certified?

Following the UK Government’s Environmental Protection (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018, all applicable waste facilities are now required to have both a written management system and technical competence provisions in place. CMS provides a recognised route to meet these requirements.

CMS certification is suitable for organisations that operate under an environmental permit or waste management licence, including:

  • Waste management and recycling facilities

 

  • Water and wastewater utilities

 

  • Energy production and distribution operators

 

  • Manufacturing sites with permitted processes

 

  • Environmental and engineering service providers

Integration with ISO 14001

CMS certification can be effectively integrated with ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems, enabling organisations to manage compliance, competence, and continuous improvement through a unified framework.

Kiwa supports clients in aligning both systems, which helps reduce duplication of audits and documentation. This integrated approach streamlines processes, enhances operational efficiency, and simplifies ongoing management of regulatory and competence requirements.

What you need to know

CMS is applicable across industries and is recognised by UK regulators as a valid route to demonstrate competence.

CMS is especially valuable for businesses that must demonstrate technical competence to retain or obtain environmental permits. It supports:

  • Competence assessment and verification of staff managing permitted activities.

 

  • Structured training and development aligned with regulatory expectations.

 

  • Documentation and audit trails to prove compliance.

 

  • Integration with environmental management systems like ISO 14001.

 

Related Services