NASDU

16/10/2026

🐾 NASDU — WE'VE LISTENED, AND WE'RE ACTING

Management Committee Update | October 2026

Following the NASDU Management Committee meeting on Monday 12 October 2026, we would like to share some of the positive developments taking place across the Association.

The Committee discussed a wide range of matters relating to professional standards, training, assessments, certification, administration and the future development of NASDU.

Naturally, some matters remain confidential and cannot be shared publicly. However, there are a number of important developments that we believe our Approved Instructors/Trainers, handlers, members and the wider security dog industry should know about.

Many of these improvements have been shaped by feedback from our trainers, operational handlers, members and others across the industry.

We've listened to that feedback, recognised where improvements are needed and, importantly, we're taking action.

🐾 NEW NASDU DATABASE — FINAL STAGES OF TESTING

A considerable amount of work has been undertaken to develop a new NASDU database, which is now in its final stages of testing.
The system is designed to improve the accuracy, efficiency and management of learner registrations, training records and Team certification.
It will also provide improved facilities for checking whether dogs already hold NASDU Team certification, helping trainers and the Administration Office identify existing records more efficiently.
This is an important foundation for several further improvements currently being developed.

🐾 DIGITAL REGISTRATION AND ASSESSMENT PAPERWORK
We recognise that paperwork and administration can be time-consuming for Approved Trainers and that errors or missing information can cause unnecessary delays.
Work is therefore progressing towards the introduction of digital learner registration, together with digital annual assessment and reteam documentation.
The intention is to simplify submissions, improve accuracy and reduce administrative delays.
Further developments, potentially including additional online forms and examinations, may follow once the new database is fully established.

🐾 ELECTRONIC CERTIFICATION AND QR-CODE VERIFICATION
NASDU is also progressing the development of electronic Team certification, including QR-code verification.
The intention is to make it easier for employers, site supervisors and other interested parties to verify NASDU certification while providing additional safeguards against fraudulent, altered or misrepresented documentation.
Certification integrity is essential to maintaining confidence in NASDU and protecting the legitimate trainers, handlers and companies operating within our industry.

🐾 VIDEO EVIDENCE OF TEAM CERTIFICATION ASSESSMENTS
One of the suggestions received from NASDU Approved Trainers was the introduction of video evidence to support assessments leading to Team certification.
This was discussed at the Management Committee meeting, and the principle of introducing video evidence was unanimously agreed.
The intention is to begin with General Purpose Security Dog Teams, with the potential to extend the arrangements to other disciplines in due course.
A suitable protocol and practical guidance will be developed, with Approved Trainers invited to provide feedback before implementation.
This is a good example of a constructive suggestion from our trainers being considered and taken forward.

🐾 IMPROVING THE NASDU APPROVED TRAINER APPLICATION PROCESS
Over the past six months, considerable work has been undertaken to improve the structure and consistency of the NASDU Approved Instructor/Trainer application process.
A clearer staged pathway has been developed, incorporating:
Initial application and desktop review.
Professional discussion.
Practical Instructor/Trainer assessment.
Physical inspection of facilities, resources and supporting procedures.
An initial probationary approval period with appropriate monitoring.
Supporting guidance and assessment documentation have also been developed to provide greater clarity for applicants and consistency between assessors.
These improvements are intended to maintain robust professional standards while providing applicants with a clearer and more transparent route towards NASDU approval.

🐾 SUPPORTING APPROVED TRAINERS THROUGH GUIDANCE AND CPD
Our work is not simply about maintaining and enforcing standards. It is equally important that Approved Trainers receive appropriate guidance and support.
Over recent months, work has continued to clarify expectations surrounding continuation training, monthly and quarterly assessments, annual Team Certification and associated documentation.
A NASDU Approved Trainer CPD webinar programme and supporting presentation materials have also been developed, with the intention of introducing these sessions when arrangements permit.
The objective is to improve understanding, encourage consistency and provide practical guidance to those delivering training and assessments on NASDU's behalf.

🐾 NASDU GP SECURITY DOG BUYER'S GUIDE — GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT
The publication of the NASDU General Purpose Security Dog Buyer's Guide represents an important development in helping those responsible for procuring security dog services make informed decisions.
But producing a comprehensive Guide is only part of the job.
There is little point in writing a Buyer's Guide and leaving it sitting on a shelf. It needs to reach the people who can benefit from it.
NASDU has therefore been actively promoting the Guide beyond its own membership and through wider industry networks.
This has included coverage in professional security publications and a dedicated social media campaign breaking down the individual sections of the Guide, explaining their purpose and practical relevance.
On Wednesday 21 October, NASDU will also be attending the UKCMA (United Kingdom Crowd Management Association) All Members Meeting in Bristol, where the Guide will be presented to representatives involved in security and crowd management.
Further industry engagement, publications and promotional activity are planned.
Our aim is to encourage better-informed procurement, promote recognised industry standards and help buyers understand what they should expect from a competent General Purpose Security Dog provider.

The Guide is available free of charge:

https://nasdu.co.uk/securitydogs/publications/

🐾 QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Alongside these developments, NASDU continues to review and strengthen its own internal procedures, quality assurance arrangements and assessment processes.
This includes ongoing work associated with the Association's ISO 9001 quality-management arrangements, together with improvements to the consistency, independence and oversight of assessments.
Maintaining standards also means being prepared to examine our own systems, identify areas for improvement and make changes where appropriate.

🐾 LOOKING AHEAD
A considerable amount of work has been undertaken across NASDU's Head Office, Administration, Inspectorate and Management Committee to progress these initiatives.
Some improvements have already been introduced, others are approaching implementation, and several remain under development or consultation.
We recognise that not everything can happen overnight and that challenges remain, particularly around geographical access to training and assessments.
However, meaningful progress is being made.
Our message is simple:
We've listened to our trainers, handlers, members and the wider industry.
We've identified areas where improvements can be made.
And we're taking practical steps to deliver those improvements.
NASDU remains committed to supporting its Approved Instructors/Trainers, operational Security Dog Teams, member companies and the wider industry through professional standards, accountability and continuous improvement.

Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute constructive feedback and support the development of the Association.

We continue to welcome constructive feedback and suggestions through our established communication channels, including [email protected] and [email protected]

🌐 www.nasdu.co.uk

15/10/2026

NASDU — Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) Continuation Training & Assessment Days

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

NASDU is exploring the introduction of regional Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) Continuation Training (CT) and Assessment Days, aimed at providing additional support to operational EDD handlers and their dogs.

The intention is to offer practical, structured continuation training alongside the monthly assessments required under NASDU standards.

Proposed Dates & Locations

📍 November 2026 — South Wales / South West England

📍 February 2027 — Northern England, with the aim of making the sessions accessible to handlers from across Northern England and Scotland.

Exact dates and venues will be determined subject to demand and availability.

What would the days include?

- Structured Continuation Training (CT) for operational EDD teams.
- Monthly EDD assessments conducted by NASDU Approved Instructors/Trainers.
- Access to a range of explosive training samples, including TATP and HMTD through QinetiQ, subject to confirmation of arrangements.
- Opportunities to work in different operational live training environments.
- Appropriate training and assessment documentation to support ongoing compliance.

Why are we considering this?

NASDU has listened to feedback from operational EDD handlers who have highlighted the difficulties they face in accessing regular continuation training and monthly assessments.

Our recent review of NASDU Approved Trainer capacity has also identified significant geographical gaps, particularly in areas where the availability of external EDD Trainers and assessors is extremely limited.

For handlers already working long and demanding hours, sometimes travelling considerable distances for operational duties, finding additional time to travel for monthly assessments can be challenging. We also recognise the importance of time spent at home with family.

We have listened to these concerns and want to offer some practical assistance.

These proposed regional training and assessment days are intended to help fill those geographical gaps, making continuation training and monthly assessments more accessible while supporting consistent professional standards across the industry.

Importantly, the intention is to complement existing NASDU Approved Trainers, not compete with them. This is about providing additional support in areas where suitable assessment provision is limited.

Interested?

At this stage, we are simply gauging interest to establish whether there is sufficient demand to make these sessions viable.

No specific dates, venues or costs have yet been confirmed, and expressing an interest does not commit anyone to attending.

In the first instance, EDD handlers are invited to email:

📧 [email protected]

Please include your geographical location and the number of EDD teams potentially attending.

The level of response will help NASDU determine the feasibility and arrangements for these regional training and assessment days.

NASDU — Supporting Professional Standards, Operational Competence and Continued Development.

15/10/2026

🐾 NASDU TRAINER REMINDER — GETTING THE PAPERWORK RIGHT

A friendly reminder to all NASDU Approved Instructors/Trainers about a few simple administrative requirements that help keep learner registrations, assessments and certification running smoothly.

As NASDU continues to process increasing volumes of learner paperwork and correspondence, getting the right information to the Admin Office at the right time makes a real difference.

📋 1. Learner Registrations & Course Paperwork
🐾 Learner Registrations should be submitted when the course commences.
🐾 Examination papers should preferably be submitted as soon as completed, including those undertaken partway through a course. This allows time for any necessary resits while the learner is still attending.
🐾 End-of-course paperwork should be submitted promptly when the course finishes.
Please avoid holding everything back and submitting all paperwork together at the end of the course. This creates unnecessary administrative pressure and can delay certification.

🔎 2. Chasing Learner Certification
When contacting the Admin Office about outstanding certification, please include:
🐾 The learner's full name, exactly as recorded on their SIA licence.
🐾 The handler/Team number, where applicable, particularly for annual reassessments and reteams.
With many learners sharing similar names, accurate information is essential to locate the correct records quickly.

📧 3. Following Up on Emails
If you've contacted the Admin Office with a query, amendment or certification request and haven't received a response within 14 days, please follow it up.
The volume of correspondence continues to grow, and occasionally an email may be missed or require a further reminder.

🐕 4. Proof of Dog Ownership & Microchip Records
Where proof of ownership is required, particularly microchip documentation, please ensure it clearly identifies:
🐾 Owner's full name
🐾 Owner's address
🐾 Owner's telephone number or email address
🐾 Dog's name
🐾 Dog's breed, s*x and colour
🐾 Dog's microchip number

These details must match the information supplied on the Learner Registration.
Where a dog may previously have been teamed with another handler, please submit the relevant proof of ownership alongside the Learner Registration to avoid unnecessary follow-up requests.

✅ A LITTLE ATTENTION TO DETAIL HELPS EVERYONE
Accurate paperwork, timely submissions and clear communication help the NASDU Admin Office process learner records and certification more efficiently.
It also reduces unnecessary delays for trainers, handlers and employers.

Thank you to all our Approved Instructors/Trainers for your continued cooperation and support.

NASDU — Supporting Standards, Professionalism and Quality Assurance.

13/10/2026

NASDU Announces New Chairman – Nigel Edwards

The National Association of Security Dog Users (NASDU) is pleased to announce that Nigel Edwards has been elected Chairman of the Association's Management Committee, following its meeting at Ripley on Monday 12 October 2026.

Nigel was elected to the NASDU Management Committee by members at the Association's Annual General Meeting in May, with his subsequent election as Chairman taking place at the Committee's first meeting since the AGM.

Nigel brings considerable experience and knowledge of the security dog industry to the role.

A long-standing NASDU Approved Instructor/Trainer, Nigel has an extensive background in dog training, including police dog instruction, General Purpose security dogs and drugs detection. His involvement with NASDU dates back to the Association's early years, and he has contributed to the development of professional training standards, including work associated with British Standards.

His experience across operational training, assessment and industry standards will be valuable as NASDU continues its work supporting members, promoting professional competence and maintaining standards across the security dog sector.

The NASDU Management Committee congratulates Nigel on his appointment and looks forward to working with him in his new role.

07/10/2026

NASDU GP SECURITY DOG BUYER’S GUIDE EXPLAINED

SECTION 5 — Understanding Industry Standards

The security dog industry is supported by a framework of British Standards and regulatory requirements.

Buyers do not need to read or purchase these documents in full, but they should understand what they cover and be able to reference them when speaking with potential providers.

BS8517 — Security Dog Services
BS8517 is the primary British Standard for security dog services. It sets out requirements for the selection, training, assessment and deployment of security dogs and their handlers.

There are two relevant parts:

🐾 BS8517-1 — covers the provision of security dog services generally, including management systems, training, documentation, welfare and deployment practices.

🐾 BS8517-2 — covers the use of detection dogs, including drug search, explosives detection, fi****ms detection and live person detection.

For buyers procuring General Purpose Security Dog services, BS8517-2 is not a substitute for BS8517-1.
Buyers should ensure their provider can demonstrate compliance with the appropriate standard for the service being provided.

Is BS8517-1 a legal requirement?
BS8517-1 is published by the British Standards Institution (BSI). As a code of practice, its provisions are expressed as recommendations rather than legal requirements.

However, BS8517-1 represents the recognised industry standard for the competent provision of security dog services.

Any provider claiming compliance should therefore be able to justify how they meet its recommendations. Any deviation that cannot be explained or justified should be a cause for concern.

What does BS8517-1 compliance look like?

A provider claiming compliance should typically be able to demonstrate:

🐾 SIA-licensed handlers

🐾 Trained and assessed dog Teams with current, recognised Team certification

🐾 Monthly continuation training records

🐾 Quarterly independent assessments

🐾 Annual independent reassessment and recertification

🐾 Site-specific Assignment Instructions

🐾 Site-specific risk assessments

🐾 Appropriate welfare arrangements, including transport, rest and veterinary access

🐾 Purpose-built transport vehicles meeting BS8517-1 requirements

🐾 Appropriate insurance cover

🐾 Incident reporting procedures

Buyers should ask providers to confirm their compliance and, where relevant, demonstrate that compliance through certification or assessment records.

Where NASDU certification is claimed — verify it

Where a provider states that a handler and dog are NASDU certified, buyers should not simply rely on the certificate presented to them.

🐾 Use the NASDU Security Dog Team Verification facility to check the current certification of the Team being offered or deployed.

If the details cannot be verified, do not match the certificate presented, or you suspect that a NASDU certificate has been altered, falsified or otherwise misrepresented, report it to NASDU so that it can be investigated.

Verification protects the buyer, legitimate NASDU-certified Teams and the integrity of NASDU certification.

Related British Standards

🐾 BS7499 — Static Site Guarding and Mobile Patrol
Applies to the wider security guarding activity within which dog Teams typically operate.

🐾 BS10800 — Provision of Security Services
A higher-level standard covering the management and delivery of security services.

🐾 BS7858 — Screening of Individuals Working in a Security Environment
Covers the pre-employment vetting of security personnel, including dog handlers.

SIA Licensing
All security dog handlers operating in a contract capacity must hold a valid SIA licence, unless exempt under the relevant provisions of the Private Security Industry Act.

Buyers should ask their provider to confirm that handlers deployed to their site hold a current SIA licence and should verify this independently.

Key standards at a glance:

🐾 BS8517-1 — Security dog services (GP)

🐾 BS7499 — Static site guarding and mobile patrol

🐾 BS10800 — Provision of security services

🐾 BS7858 — Screening of security personnel

🐾 SIA licensing — Mandatory for contract security operatives

The key message for buyers is straightforward: understand which standards apply, ask the provider to demonstrate compliance and, where NASDU certification is claimed, verify it. If something doesn't match, report it to NASDU.

📘 NASDU General Purpose Security Dog Buyer’s Guide — Version 1.8
Full complimentary Guide:

https://nasdu.co.uk/securitydogs/publications/

Next: Section 6 — Choosing a Competent Provider

03/10/2026

For the attention of NASDU Approved EDD Instructors/Trainers and EDD Handlers.

A reminder that NASDU has developed a standardised EDD training and monthly assessment report which is available for NASDU Approved Instructors/Trainers and handlers to use.

The document is not mandatory. It is provided as a practical resource to support a consistent approach to recording refresher training, continuation training and monthly assessment.

The form covers the range of areas that may form part of a Team's ongoing training and assessment, including operational search exercises, control, welfare, training and veterinary records, transport, underpinning knowledge and target substances. L4 EDD monthly assessment form electronic.docx
Importantly, it is not expected that every element on the form will be covered during every monthly session.

The form includes Yes / No / N/A against the relevant criteria specifically for this reason:

🐾 Yes – the element was assessed and the Team achieved the required standard.
🐾 No – the element was assessed but the Team did not achieve the required standard.
🐾 N/A – the element was not assessed during that particular session.

For example, a particular session may concentrate on routes and building searches without assessing vehicles or open areas. Those elements not assessed can simply be recorded as N/A.

The purpose is to provide a useful and consistent record of what was actually undertaken on the day, rather than suggesting that every criterion must be completed at every monthly assessment.

It can be particularly useful for freelance handlers who may work with different NASDU Approved Instructors/Trainers, giving both handler and trainer a familiar format and helping to maintain appropriate evidence of ongoing training and assessment.

Both printable and electronic versions are available.

If you would like a copy, please email [email protected], stating whether you would prefer the printable or electronic version or both, and we will be happy to forward it.

We are also currently developing equivalent standardised training and assessment documentation for the other core NASDU disciplines, including General Purpose Security Dog Teams and Passive and Proactive Drug Detection Dog Teams. These will follow the same principle: practical, consistent documentation to support handlers and NASDU Approved Instructors/Trainers in recording ongoing continuation training and the appropriate periodic assessments.

03/10/2026

NASDU General Purpose Security Dog Buyer’s Guide – Industry Coverage

Great to see the NASDU General Purpose Security Dog Buyer’s Guide featured in the October edition of Professional Security Magazine.

The article looks at some of the key issues behind informed procurement of security dog services, including cost and value, animal welfare and the importance of buyers asking the right questions.
The NASDU Buyer’s Guide was developed to help buyers and procurement professionals better understand what good practice should look like when purchasing General Purpose Security Dog services — including recognised standards, training and assessment, ongoing competence, documentation, insurance, operational deployment and welfare.

As the article says:

“The purpose is not to tell organisations which security provider they should use.

Nor is it intended to create another standard. Its purpose is much simpler: to help buyers make informed decisions.”

This latest coverage forms part of NASDU’s ongoing work to promote the Guide across the wider security industry and encourage informed procurement based on standards and quality, rather than price alone.

Thank you to Professional Security Magazine for helping us continue that conversation.

🐾 The full NASDU General Purpose Security Dog Buyer’s Guide – Version 1.8 is available free from the NASDU website

https://nasdu.co.uk/securitydogs/publications

26/09/2026

Recognising Professionalism Across the Security Industry.

NASDU is pleased to share this initiative from UKSICA recognising the contribution made by security operators across the UK.

Professional recognition matters. Across the security industry, many individuals consistently demonstrate professionalism, commitment and high standards without necessarily seeking recognition for what they do.

That certainly includes the security dog sector, where many handlers quietly go about their work every day, maintaining professional standards and making an important contribution to the safety and security of the people, premises and organisations they protect.

If you know a security operator who you believe deserves recognition, we would encourage you to consider nominating them.

Sometimes those most deserving of recognition are the least likely to put themselves forward.

Nominations close 25 October 2026.

Full details and nomination information are available in the original UKSICA post below.

SECURITY OPERATOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2026 | ON THE ROAD THE FIRST TWO NOMINATIONS ARE IN… There are 454,642 SIA licence holders helping power the UK’s private security industry. Behind every licence is a person. Someone turning up. Someone taking responsibility. Someone dealing with difficult si...

25/09/2026

Maintaining NASDU Team Certification – Continuation Training and Assessments

There can sometimes be confusion around continuation training, monthly or quarterly assessments, and what is expected when a NASDU Team is presented for annual certification.

We hope the following provides some useful clarification for handlers, employers, clients and NASDU Approved Instructors/Trainers.

The relevant British Standards establish an ongoing programme of training and assessment to maintain competence throughout the certification period.

For General Purpose Security Dog Teams, BS 8517-1:2016 provides for monthly training, quarterly assessment and annual certification.

For the core Detection Dog disciplines, BS 8517-2:2016 provides for:
🐾 Passive Drug Detection – quarterly assessment
🐾 Proactive Drug Detection – quarterly assessment
🐾 Explosive Detection – monthly assessment
🐾 Pyrotechnic Detection – quarterly assessment

The British Standards also specifically refer to continuation training, which is intended to maintain and develop the knowledge and skills of both the handler and dog.

Continuation training and assessment are different.

Continuation training may be self-led and self-recorded by the handler, undertaken with another competent training provider, or undertaken with a NASDU Approved Instructor/Trainer.

NASDU does not require all continuation training to be delivered by a NASDU Approved Instructor/Trainer.

The important point is that appropriate continuation training is undertaken throughout the certification period and properly recorded.

Handlers are also free to undertake additional training elsewhere to refresh, develop or advance their skills and those of their dog.

However, where a Team wishes to maintain NASDU Team certification, the required monthly or quarterly formal assessments supporting that certification should be undertaken by an appropriately approved NASDU Instructor/Trainer in the relevant discipline.

The reason is straightforward.
NASDU Approved Instructors/Trainers operate within NASDU's quality-assurance framework. Their competence, resources, policies and procedures, together with their assessment practices, are subject to NASDU oversight.

This is particularly important within Detection disciplines, where NASDU also needs confidence in the management, integrity and suitability of the target scents used during assessment.

An assessment undertaken outside this framework may well meet the requirements of the relevant British Standard. However, NASDU cannot automatically quality assure that assessment or accept it towards the ongoing assessment requirements supporting NASDU Team certification.

A Team can therefore operate in accordance with the relevant British Standard without being a NASDU-certified Team. However, where NASDU certification is chosen, the assessments supporting that certification need to be within a process that NASDU can quality assure.

Common sense should prevail
NASDU recognises that genuine circumstances arise. Illness, personal circumstances or other unforeseen events may occasionally result in a Team missing a scheduled assessment.

Where this happens, the next assessment should be sufficiently rigorous for the NASDU Approved Instructor/Trainer to satisfy themselves as to the Team's current competence and operational ability, this could include additional assessment days.

The assessment should cover all relevant assessment criteria and, particularly within Detection disciplines, all required target scents, rather than simply concentrating on one element of the Team's work.

An occasional missed assessment for a genuine reason can therefore be dealt with sensibly and proportionately.

However, this should be the exception rather than the norm.

Where a Team repeatedly fails to undertake the appropriate monthly or quarterly assessments, the NASDU Approved Instructor/Trainer should question this and advise the handler or employer accordingly and should seek guidance from NASDU.

Common sense can equally apply where another recognised and auditable assessment process specifically recognised by NASDU has been undertaken. For example, where an EDD Team has undertaken an appropriate NCTAS-P Team assessment during the certification period, this may be recognised as one of the Team's required monthly assessments rather than unnecessarily duplicating an assessment simply to meet a timetable.

Responsibilities at annual Team assessment
The responsibility does not sit solely with the NASDU Approved Instructor/Trainer.

Handlers should maintain appropriate continuation training and assessment records throughout the certification period and have them prepared and available for review when presenting for annual NASDU Team assessment.

Continuation training records should provide appropriate evidence that ongoing training has been undertaken throughout the certification period.

Evidence of a monthly or quarterly assessment should be a proper written assessment record, completed and signed by the appropriate NASDU Approved Instructor/Trainer, clearly demonstrating what was assessed and the outcome.

Screenshots of bookings, diary entries, text messages or WhatsApp conversations are not evidence that an assessment has taken place. They may demonstrate that something was arranged or discussed, but they do not demonstrate what was assessed or the Team's performance and competence.

The NASDU Approved Instructor/Trainer conducting the annual assessment should review the records and satisfy themselves that the appropriate continuation training and assessments have been undertaken at the required intervals throughout the certification period.

Where appropriate assessment records cannot be produced, the Approved Instructor/Trainer should not simply assume that the assessments have taken place.

The important principle is ongoing, evidenced competence throughout the year, not simply the Team's ability to pass an assessment on the day of annual certification.

Monthly assessments should reflect monthly assessment, and quarterly assessments should be spread appropriately throughout the year.

Completing several assessments shortly before annual certification does not demonstrate that competence has been maintained at the required intervals.

This is not about restricting where handlers train or preventing them from gaining experience from other competent trainers outside of NASDU.

It is about distinguishing training from assessment and ensuring that, where a certificate carries the NASDU name, the assessments supporting that certification are subject to an appropriate and auditable quality-assurance process.

The aim is simple: consistent standards, proportionate application, properly evidenced ongoing competence and confidence in NASDU Team certification.