What Is SQAS?
The Safety and Quality Assessment System (SQAS) is the recognised European standard for assessing the quality, safety, and environmental performance of road tanker cleaning stations. It provides a uniform, independent assessment of each cleaning site, ensuring that every operation meets the highest legal, safety, and environmental requirements.
Rather than issuing a certificate, the SQAS process produces a detailed audit report that shows how a site performs across key areas such as health and safety, environmental care, operational control, and compliance with legislation.
Why SQAS Matters
If you’re using or managing a tanker cleaning station, you need confidence that cleaning is done safely, responsibly, and to a recognised industry standard.
The SQAS system makes that possible by:
Ensuring full legal compliance across safety, environment, and quality management.
Assessing every site using a standardised questionnaire recognised by the chemical, logistics, and transport industries.
Allowing chemical companies and transport operators to compare cleaning stations fairly and transparently.
Reducing the need for multiple audits by different customers.
For NRTCA members, achieving SQAS approval demonstrates your commitment to quality, safety, and environmental excellence — and is a requirement for membership within the Association.
SQAS and the NRTCA
The National Road Tanker Cleaners Association (NRTCA) requires all members to hold a valid SQAS Tank Cleaning audit report that shows full compliance with legal and operational standards. Each report is individually reviewed before membership is approved to make sure it meets the Association’s strict entry criteria.
This process helps maintain the NRTCA’s reputation as the leading authority for tanker cleaning standards across the UK and Ireland.
European Collaboration and Industry Support
The SQAS assessment was developed in collaboration with:
EFTCO
– The European Federation of Tank Cleaning Organisations
CEFIC
– The European Chemical Industry Council
ECTA
– The European Chemical Transport Association
Together, these organisations ensure that tanker cleaning standards are consistent across Europe — protecting both people and the environment.
Accessing the SQAS Questionnaire
The current SQAS Tank Cleaning questionnaire can be downloaded from the official website. It provides the full list of criteria used by independent auditors when assessing cleaning stations.
Why It Benefits You
If you’re a cleaning station operator, SQAS approval:
Enhances your credibility with customers and regulators.
Demonstrates commitment to safety and environmental care.
Simplifies audits by using a recognised European framework.
Helps secure new business from companies requiring SQAS compliance.
For tanker owners and operators, choosing an SQAS-accredited NRTCA member ensures your vehicles are cleaned at a verified, compliant, and professional facility every time. SQAS is not just a standard — it’s the foundation of trust, quality, and safety across the tanker cleaning industry.