CARES is an independent, not-for-profit certification body, established in 1983 to provide confidence to the users, purchasers and specifiers of constructional steels through a regime of regulation, testing and inspection.  It operates for the benefit of the construction industry offering certification schemes for companies that produce materials, components or offer services, primarily to the reinforced concrete industry.

Clients can specify CARES approved companies and products with confidence that they will comply with the relevant product or system standards and without the need for verification testing by the purchaser of contractor.

CARES is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO Guide 65 (product certification) and ISO 17021 (management systems certification using ISO 9001 and 14001).  UKAS approves and monitors certification bodies on behalf of the UK government.

CARES is a Notified Certification Body and a European Technical Approval Body under the Construction Products Directive for the following:

• Reinforcing and prestressing steels
• Post-tensioning systems
• Structural Steels
• Precast concrete products
• Such certification by CARES can be used by manufacturers in support of CE marking.