Certification

What is Certification

Certification as an Ethnic Minority Business by MSDUK verifies that the business is majority-owned (51%), controlled and managed by person or persons of ethnic minority origin.

Minority Supplier Development UK has standardised procedures to assure consistent and identical review and certification of ethnic minority-owned businesses (EMB). The goal of MSDUK is to assist bona-fide ethnic minority-owned businesses in becoming long term, qualified entities capable of competing in the national and international economic mainstream.

Upon receipt, review and site visit of an EMB applicant, the MSDUK Certification Committee (“Committee”) will approve or deny certification by MSDUK. Where the Committee determines, that the approved business is majority (51%) owned, operated and controlled by person(s) who are determined to be an ethnic minority group and meets the spirit and intent of the program, the application will be approved. The applicant information is confidential.

Please review the criteria carefully. If your company does not meet the requirements above, please do not submit an application. The £200.00 application fee is non refundable.

What is an EMB

In order to be certified as a bonafide MSDUK certified ethnic minority business (EMB), a firm must be a for profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the United Kingdom, which is owned, operated and controlled by an ethnic minority group.

“Ethnic Minority” for the purposes of this application shall mean individuals whose ethnic origin is:

• Asian– (a) Bangladeshi (b) Indian (c) Pakistani (d) Asian Other;
• Black– (a) Black African (b) Black Caribbean (c) Black Other;
• Mixed – (a) White and Black Caribbean (b) White and Black African (c) White and Asian (d) Any other mixed Background; or
• Chinese
provided that such individuals are British Nationals who permanently reside in the United Kingdom.

“Ownership or Owned” by Ethnic Minority individuals means the business is at least 51% owned by such individuals or, in the
case of a publicly owned business, at least 51% of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals. Further, that Ethnic
Minority individuals control the management and daily business operations.

Certification applications that meet the certification criteria as set out within this standardized procedure document will be eligible
for MSDUK certification in accordance with this document.

Benefits of Certification

•	Validation of EMB status
•	National & Local Referrals - Each certified EMBs profile is listed on Minority Business Resource (MBR), MSDUK national database, on our website. Corporations regularly utilise our databases and website as an invaluable source for locating certified ethnic minority suppliers.
•	Access to MSDUK events – Exposure is gained through networking with corporate buyers and fellow EMBs by attending a number of MSDUK hosted events throughout the year.
•	Exposure to Business Opportunities - Exposure is gained through networking with corporate buyers and fellow minority business enterprises. Our corporate members through their buying teams are encouraged to post contract opportunities on MSDUK's web page.

Certification Process

•	Fill in the online application and submit this with the required documentation and a non-refundable fee of £200+VAT.
•	Review of application by MSDUK certification committee.
•	On-site visit by MSDUK personnel to verify ownership and control of your business.
•	If certification is confirmed a Certificate will be sent to you.
•	Your business profile will be added on to the MBR, MSDUK’s online database accessible to all MSDUK corporate members.