The approval, effective from the 6^th of January this year, followed a detailed audit by the NSI which looked at how the company manages its environmental and health and safety issues through the application of an efficient Environmental Management System and Health and Safety Management System at sites across the UK.

The audit confirms G4S’s compliance with environmental legislation and its commitment to measure and improve performance and reduce environmental impact in all areas, including energy and vehicle usage.  It also verifies G4S’s provision for employees in health and safety, over and above the legal requirement. It recognised in particular the increased training and awareness given to managers, making risk assessments more effective, and reporting of incidents more accurate.

Doug Hewitson, Group Managing Director, G4S Secure Solutions (UK), said: “Health and safety and environmental management are both issues that we take very seriously, and this approval reflects our continued efforts to develop industry leading systems and solutions.

“Though this approval recognises the high standards we already work to, we are looking to continually improve the systems we have in place.  To this end we have initiated a further programme of training and awareness-raising amongst all our employees.”

G4S will be formally presented with the certificates of approval by the Chief Executive of the NSI, Andrew White.

Andrew White, Chief Executive, National Security Inspectorate, said: “We’re delighted to award approval to G4S Security Services (UK) in both of these areas. Environmental issues are a very real concern and it is vital that the security industry plays a responsible role in managing its environmental impact.”