Letter to the third party certification accredidation bodies
Published 21 November 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letters-on-the-closure-of-the-third-party-certification-scheme/letter-to-the-third-party-certification-accredidation-bodies
Professor William Webster
Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
19 November 2025
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/biometrics-and-surveillance-camera-commissioner
By email to: SSAIB and NSI
You may be aware that I was appointed Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, after a 12-month hiatus with no Surveillance Camera Commissioner in post. My focus will be to oversee police applications to retain biometric material and the evolution of, and adherence to, the Home Secretary’s Surveillance Camera Code of Practice as the future regulatory landscape of these areas is reviewed by the government.
I’m writing to you today to formally announce the permanent closure of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Third Party Certification (TPC) scheme.
My team has made me aware of the background to the TPC scheme, and more recent developments brought about by the Data Protection and Digital Information (DPDI) Bill which would have abolished the role of the Commissioner, and the Code of Practice. I understand that my predecessor, Tony Eastaugh OBE, discussed this with you, and his thoughts on closing the scheme for good, and that your bodies had naturally shifted away from providing accreditation using the scheme, using BSI standards instead.
That there remains appetite for public and private bodies to seek accreditation for their use of public space surveillance systems, and that those standards closely follow the principles in the code is pleasing to know. I am committed to encouraging adherence to the code while I am commissioner, but while the longer-term future of the commissioner role and code of practice remains unresolved by the government (a Home Office consultation on facial recognition technology and oversight more broadly is expected to launch in the coming weeks), I consider it unwise to resurrect the scheme when alternative accreditation is available for those who seek it.
In parallel, I am also writing to the few remaining organisations whose extension certificates are tied to the commencement of the DPDI Bill. All other certificates have now expired.
I trust you understand this decision. I would be happy to speak to you to discuss further if necessary.
Yours sincerely,
Professor William Webster
Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner
Email: enquiries@obscc.org.uk