NHSS - National Highway Sector Schemes
We make it easier and quicker for organisations to gain and maintain NHSS certification
Unlock Roads-Ready Quality with Brighter Compliance
Brighter Compliance helps businesses involved in highway infrastructure navigate the NHSS certification journey with confidence. Whether you’re a contractor, manufacturer, or consultant, we’ll ensure your operations meet the integrated quality and competency standards required for working on the UK’s road network.
What Is NHSS?
National Highway Sector Schemes (NHSS) are bespoke quality management systems developed within the ISO 9001:2015 framework. They provide tailored interpretations of ISO standards for specialised highway activities, ensuring work is performed to the highest level of professionalism with competent, trained personnel.
These schemes are complementary to ISO 9001, designed specifically for highway maintenance and construction functions. More than 20 NHSS schemes exist, covering areas such as surfacing, traffic management, fencing, electrical systems, and more.
Why NHSS Matters for your business?
Mandatory compliance for national contracts: NHSS registration is required for contractors supplying to National Highways under the Specification for Highways Works (SHW).
Gain a competitive advantage: If you're already NHSS-registered, you’ll stand out when tendering for new work.
Improve business credibility: Certification provides independent verification of your quality processes and competence.
Access new opportunities: NHSS opens doors to contracts on the national strategic road network—even if you’ve only worked locally.
How Brighter Compliance Supports Your NHSS Journey
1. Scope & Strategy
We help you identify which NHSS schemes apply to your operations and assess your current quality management setup.
2. System Alignment
If you’re already ISO 9001 certified, we’ll integrate NHSS requirements seamlessly as an extension—if not, we guide you in building a solid ISO-aligned management system.
3. Competency & Training
We ensure your workforce meets NHSS competency standards—covering skills, safety training, CSCS cards, Highways Passports, and more.
4. Audit Preparation
Our team supports you through the two-stage certification audit process.
5. Ongoing Support
After certification, we provide internal audit training, legal/aspect requirement tracking, and continuous improvement guidance to maintain compliance.
Examples of NHSS Schemes
The schemes are categorised under different areas of highway work, including:
Road Surfaces, Markings, and Paving: Covering activities such as road resurfacing and line marking.
Fencing and Vehicle Safety Restraints: Addressing safety features along the roadside.
Traffic Management: Ensuring safe and effective temporary traffic control during works.
Landscaping: Managing roadside planting and other landscaping elements.
Electrical and Drilling: Encompassing electrical installations and land drilling works.
NHSS Management System
Why implement ISO Hub as your management system
- Manages workflows to ensure compliance against ISO Standards
- Reduces time spent on documentation management
- Reduces risks of non-conformances saving time and money
- Reduces PAP - Pre-Assessment- Panic - before certification body audits!
- The system has been built by experts in ISO, PAS 2030 and Retrofit
- Provides a more robust system to keep business on track across operations
- Accessible 24/7 via various devices
- Ensures your procedures and processes are easily accessible
Certification and Standards
Working closely with a UKAS accredited certification body, we will ensure that you gain and retain your certification across the following standards.
Speak to one of our consultants who can take you through the whole process.
- Quality ISO 9001
- Environmental ISO 14001
- Health and Safety ISO 45001
- Information Security ISO 27001
- Energy Management ISO 50001
- Retrofit of Energy Efficiency Measures - PAS 2030, PAS 2035, PAS 2038
- Installation and Retrofit of Renewables - MCS