The aim is to facilitate the availability of standard, commercially sound, business-to-business contracts suitable for freelance businesses operating outside IR35.

PCG approval of a standard agency contract indicates that PCG believes that it represents an acceptable model contract, where it is used in its original form. It must also reflect the real contractual relationship between the parties and must not be contradicted by other factors. As well as being reviewed by leading status experts from an IR35 perspective, an approved contract also undergoes a basic commercial terms review.

PCG endorsement is provided strictly as an indicator that the generic content has been judged as sound and it implies no liability on behalf of PCG for its subsequent deployment.

• Download Approved Contract scheme fact sheet

How it works

Affiliate member agencies may sign up to the Approved Contract scheme for a fee, which allows them to submit their standard contracts to PCG for review.

PCG may recommend changes that need to be made, and once these have been agreed and implemented to PCG's satisfaction, the standard contract will be given the PCG stamp of approval and may be branded with the PCG "Contract Approved" logo.

The Affiliate member may issue the contract carrying the PCG "Contract Approved" logo, provided that it is accompanied by an up-to-date and unaltered official fact sheet from PCG outlining the terms and conditions of use. The standard contract and accompanying fact sheet should bear a matching unique contract reference issued by PCG. An agency may have more than one Approved Contract, and each will have its own unique reference.

• Benefits to PCG members
• Benefits to non-members
• Benefits to agencies

Contract Approved Affiliates

The following Affiliate members are registered under the Approved Contract scheme:

• Pendragon Information Systems Limited
• Fact sheet
  
• Practicus Ltd
• Fact sheet
  
• SQ Computer Personnel Ltd
• Fact sheet
  
• The Wreay Group
• Fact sheet
•  Interim Partners
• Fact sheet
• Mindbench
• Fact sheet
  

Recommend your agency

If your agency is not on the list of Contract Approved Affiliates, please recommend that they contact PCG about joining the scheme. Having an IR35-resistant standard contract will save them time and money, and freelance contractors and consultants prefer to work with those agencies that recognise the implications of IR35. Tell them that they will also be supporting PCG in representing the freelance community.