GEOTEC Scores 100% in Achilles UVDB B2 Audit
GEOTEC Surveys has achieved a 100% score in its 2026 Achilles UVDB B2 audit, marking the fourth consecutive year the company has achieved a perfect result across all assessed categories.
Achilles UVDB accreditation is widely recognised throughout the UK utilities sector as a pre-qualification system that assesses suppliers against rigorous standards covering health and safety, quality, environmental management and sustainability. Achieving a perfect score demonstrates GEOTEC’s continued commitment to delivering high standards for clients operating across the energy, utilities and infrastructure sectors.
In previous years, GEOTEC has completed the B1 Audit, which takes place over a day; half evaluating our management system and the other half assessing our onsite procedures.
The B2 Audit is a 2-day audit; which allows the auditor a full day at our offices to assess our management system, as well as second full day to review our onsite processes, in line with our management system.
The Achilles UVDB Buying Community is able to see that GEOTEC have attained a perfect score which allows existing and potential Energy, Utilities & Water sector clients to identify that GEOTEC has achieved the highest possible results throughout this process.
Achilles UVDB manages the pre-qualification supplier function for 68 buyers / 100 organisations, consisting of
- Affinity Water
- Anglian Water
- Cadent Gas
- Exxon
- MBNL
- National Grid
- National Highways
- Portsmouth Water
- SGN Gas
- South East Water
- Southern Water
- SSE PLC
- Thames Water
- UK Power Networks
- Vattenfall
- YTL Utilities (Wessex Water)
GEOTEC have many years experience in meeting the requirements of organisations within the Utility and Energy Sector that Achilles support, in supplying comprehensive Utility Mapping, GPR Surveys and Topographical Surveys to a range of specifications and client objectives.
The Achilles Accreditation Certificate
The Achilles UVDB B2 Audit
Previous assessments focused on the B1 Audit, which combines a review of GEOTEC’s management systems with an assessment of onsite procedures.
The B2 Audit is a more comprehensive two-day assessment, allowing auditors to review both office-based management systems and operational practices in detail.
Day 1 consisted of the management system review at our head office, near Godalming in Surrey. This involved a thorough evaluation of our Policies & Processes (Quality, Health & Safety and Environmental), Legal Registers, Document Control, Qualified Support, Risk Assessments, Method Statements, Training, Employment Practices, Equipment and Vehicle Maintenance / Calibration, Carbon Footprint Reporting, Memberships & Licences, External and Internal Communication, Purchasing and Supplier Management, as well as a number of other areas.
On Day 2, Tom & Bogdan of GEOTEC Surveys Ltd met with the Achilles auditor on site in East Meon, the final day of a 5-day survey. The client kindly agreed to allow us to use the site as an audit site and for the auditor to attend and oversee our operations.
The survey team demonstrated how the survey was being conducted, went through the survey requirements and specification, as well as providing evidence as to onsite processes and procedures, primarly around first aid, equipment calibration and PPE.
The auditor watched the team complete some radio frequency detection and Topographical Surveys
The survey team also had their Project Folder downloaded onto their phones, which was emailed to them before the survey, and the lead surveyor completed their own briefing & site walkover before the survey began for that day.
GEOTEC Surveys Ltd are lucky to have experienced, multi-disciplined and well-trained survey staff and teams. We work on numerous Utility Mapping projects across Water Treatment Sites Water Treatment Sites, Sewage Treatment Works, Substations (including National Grid Substations), ..Power Stations (including Nuclear) and as part of utility mapping for cable installation projects and new water main projects.
Whether you’re planning a utility mapping project, GPR survey or topographical survey, GEOTEC’s experienced surveyors are here to help. Please complete our Contact Form or contact us directly by emailing enq@geotecsurveys.com or calling 01428 686168 to discuss your project requirements.
Achilles UVDB accreditation is a recognised pre-qualification system used throughout the UK utilities sector to assess suppliers against rigorous standards covering health and safety, quality, environmental management, sustainability and business processes.
To become Achilles UVDB accredited, GEOTEC successfully completed both the online supplier assessment and the independent Achilles Verify B2 Audit, demonstrating compliance with the standards expected by major utility and infrastructure organisations.
The online supplier assessment covers a wide range of business areas, including:
- Health & Safety
- Quality
- Environmental Management
- Ethical Business Practices
- Business Continuity
- Supply Chain Management
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
- Financial Stability & Ownership
- Carbon Management
- Data Governance & Cyber Security
- Sustainability
The Achilles UVDB Verify Audit is an independent annual assessment that checks whether the information recorded in a supplier’s UVDB profile is supported by its management systems and day-to-day working practices.
For the Category B2 audit, Achilles reviews both office-based systems and live operational delivery. The assessment covers health and safety, environmental management, quality and sustainability, with auditors checking that documented procedures are being followed onsite.
Achilles UVDB accreditation gives organisations in the UK energy and utilities sector an independent way to assess suppliers before inviting them to tender or work on regulated sites.
The UVDB buying community includes major organisations such as National Grid, SSE, UK Power Networks, Cadent Gas, Thames Water, Portsmouth Water, SGN and Northern Ireland Electricity.
For clients procuring utility mapping, GPR surveys or topographical surveys, GEOTEC’s accreditation provides assurance that our management systems and working practices have been independently assessed against recognised standards.
Achieving Achilles UVDB accreditation enables GEOTEC to work with participating buyers across the energy, utilities and water sectors and to support projects in high-risk, safety-critical environments.
These environments include:
- Power stations
- National and distribution substations
- Water and sewage treatment sites
- Clean water sites
- Pipeline and cable installation projects
- Solar farms
- Gas terminals
- Combined heat and power sites
- Oil refineries
- Pylon route projects
Our surveyors also hold relevant industry training and certification, including Water Safety Passports, EUSR registration and customer-specific accreditations. This combination of independently assessed systems and trained personnel helps clients appoint a capable survey team with confidence.
The Achilles UVDB Verify B2 Audit is a two-day assessment covering both GEOTEC’s management systems and its onsite working practices.
Day one reviews office-based policies and processes, including health and safety, quality, environmental management, legal compliance, training, risk assessments, method statements, equipment maintenance, carbon reporting, supply chain management and business continuity.
Day two is an onsite evaluation, where the auditor observes the survey team’s operational procedures and checks that the evidence within the management system is being applied in practice. GEOTEC must also keep its supplier portal and supporting records up to date throughout the year to maintain accreditation.
+44 (0)1428 686 168
enq@geotecsurveys.com
