We are excited to announce that Zoocha has earned certification from the Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register (JOSCAR). This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence in security, business continuity, and quality management. It positions us as a verified supplier to organisations operating in the aerospace, defence, security, and space sectors.
What is JOSCAR?
JOSCAR is an accreditation and compliance system used by major buyers in the aerospace, defence, and security industries. It aims to simplify procurement by maintaining a centralised database of pre-qualified suppliers. JOSCAR certification ensures that suppliers like Zoocha meet stringent requirements in areas such as:
- Information security
- Corporate social responsibility
- Quality management
- Ethical business practices
- Financial stability and operational reliability
Through this process, Zoocha has demonstrated the capability to deliver our services while maintaining compliance with the highest industry standards.
JOSCAR Service Areas
Would-be buyers of Zoocha services can find us under the following JOSCAR service categories:
- Data Centre Hosting Services
- Software Development Services
- Software Maintenance
- Software Consultancy
- Software Integration Services
- Data Centre Hosting
- System & Software Support Services
- Cyber Security Analytics
- Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Services
- Emerging Technology Services
- Cyber Security Architecture
- UI/UX Design Services
- Digital Infrastructure Services
- Research & Development Services (non-Military)
Although not expressly listed as a category, Zoocha’s core services of Drupal development, Drupal support and maintenance, Drupal hosting and all the services you can find on Government frameworks like G-Gloud will be included under the respective ‘software’ category.
The JOSCAR Certification Process
The JOSCAR certification process involved answering a broad range of questions, and providing supplemental evidence/documentation as required, covering every aspect of our business operations, from business continuity to ethical practices. This evaluation process not only validated our adherence to its standards but also helped us refine our own Business Management System (BMS) in certain areas.
By spending time understanding the guidance around each of the questions, we were able to identify areas for improvement and strengthen internal policies, processes & procedures. This reflective approach reinforces Zoocha’s culture of continuous improvement, ensuring we remain aligned with evolving industry requirements and expectations.
FSQS & ISO Certifications
One of the things that put us in good stead to achieve the JOSCAR certification relatively quickly, was the fact that Zoocha has just been recertified under the FSQS (Financial Services Qualification System) scheme, which serves the financial services sector. Like JOSCAR, the FSQS certification pre-qualifies suppliers for stringent compliance and operational standards, enabling us to deliver secure and compliant solutions to banking, insurance, and other financial services clients.
The process (and evaluation system) for achieving FSQS is much the same as for achieving JOSCAR, and there is a high degree of overlap in the questions asked, and evidence required.
Obviously having UKAS-rated ISO certifications spanning the following standards made evidencing key policies & procedures straightforward:
- ISO 27001 Information Security Management - Ensures robust measures to protect sensitive data and mitigate risks
- ISO 9001 Quality Management - Reflects our dedication to consistent quality and customer satisfaction
- ISO 14001 Environmental Management - Highlights our efforts to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact
- ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management - Demonstrates our preparedness to handle disruptions and maintain seamless operations
- ISO 27701 Privacy Information Management - Focuses on our compliance with privacy regulations like GDPR, ensuring the protection of personal data
The Benefits of Certification
Zoocha welcomes the opportunity to join schemes such as JOSCAR, as the process of going through them brings tangible benefits to Zoocha and our clients:
- Enhanced Trust: Certifications such as JOSCAR demonstrates our adherence to best practices and instils confidence in our clients and partners
- Efficient Procurement: JOSCAR and FSQS streamline procurement processes, saving time for both us and those who which to procure our services
- Industry Access: These certifications potentially open doors to partnerships in key sectors, including aerospace, defence, security, and financial services
- Continuous Improvement: The certification process helps us optimise our operations and maintain a high standard of excellence
JOSCAR Reporting
Another benefit of going through the process is that upon completion, reporting is made available which provides information relating to Zoocha’s standing with regard to the pillars of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) versus other JOSCAR-certified organisations; it is pleasing to see that Zoocha is in the top 5% of responders overall for ESG, and ahead in all measured pillars versus other similar sized companies.
Our top 5% ESG ranking reflects Zoocha’s commitment to going beyond regulatory requirements to create real, measurable impacts. We hope that this ESG ranking will give our clients confidence to trust that we will operate in ways that reflect their own values. From reducing environmental impacts through efficient digital solutions to fostering inclusivity across our supply chain, Zoocha is a partner that delivers value while contributing to a better future.
As part of this process, we’ve identified opportunities to enhance our procurement strategies, incentivise sustainable practices among our suppliers, and refine our equity, diversity, and inclusion policies. These improvements will directly benefit our clients, ensuring that our operations and the solutions we provide meet the highest standards of ethical and environmental responsibility.
Looking Ahead
By achieving the JOSCAR certification which compliments our existing ISO, Cyber Essentials Plus and FSQS certifications, Zoocha is positioned as a reliable and compliant partner for organisations in regulated industries. We look forward to continuing working with existing partners in these sectors, and hopefully working with some new regulated organisations to deliver innovative and secure digital solutions.
Contact us today to learn how Zoocha’s expertise can benefit your organisation.