Cost of Telephone Answering Services
across the UK

# Telephone Answering Services – Trade Body Accreditation

The main UK trade bodies overseeing telephone answering services include the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSC), which sets standards for recruitment and outsourcing firms offering call handling and reception services, and the Business and Industry Security Association (BISA), which certifies providers handling sensitive or confidential client information. Several answering service providers also hold ISO 9001 certification, demonstrating compliance with quality management standards, or ISO 27001 for information security – particularly important if the service involves handling personal data. Some providers may be members of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) or the Institute of Customer Service (ICS), both of which require members to adhere to professional codes of conduct and customer service standards. Unlike some industries, telephone answering is not subject to a single mandatory regulator in the UK, so accreditations are voluntary but serve as independent verification of competence and reliability.

To verify a provider's credentials, check their website for logos and membership numbers from recognised bodies, then contact the relevant trade body directly to confirm their current status – most maintain publicly searchable registries. Ask the provider for specific details about their accreditation, including the date of certification and any conditions or limitations attached to it. You should also request references from existing clients and enquire whether they hold any industry-specific qualifications or cyber security certifications if you'll be sharing sensitive business information. It matters because accredited providers have undergone external audits, comply with documented procedures, and are accountable if standards slip; without accreditation, you have fewer safeguards and limited recourse if service quality falls short or if data is mishandled.

Accredited telephone answering service providers typically charge 10 to 20 percent more than non-accredited competitors, reflecting the costs of maintaining compliance, undergoing regular audits,