The Royal Environmental Health Institute Of Scotland (rehis)

What The Royal Environmental Health Institute Of Scotland (rehis) does

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) is an independent, self-financing registered Scottish charity (Number SC009406), incorporated by Royal Charter in 2001, that serves as the official awarding body for Environmental Health Officer and Food Safety Officer qualifications in Scotland. Its roots trace to 1875, when it was founded as the Sanitary Association of Scotland; the present organisation was formed in 1983 through the merger of the Royal Sanitary Association of Scotland and the Scottish Institute of Environmental Health. REHIS operates from a single office on Torphichen Street in Edinburgh with 1–10 staff.

The Institute's core offering is a portfolio of 28+ nationally recognised qualifications — including the Diploma in Environmental Health (the entry qualification for EHO practice), the Higher Certificate in Official Control, the Higher Certificate in Food Practice, and credentials in food hygiene, HACCP, control of infection, occupational health and safety, first aid and licensing — delivered through a network of more than 500 Approved Training Centres and 200+ secondary schools. Cumulative output exceeds 4,329 Diplomas in Environmental Health awarded and more than 35,000 certificates issued annually, with 10,000+ pupils achieving qualifications through the Schools Initiative in 2025 alone. Value-added services include Chartered EHO status (the highest professional designation), a CPD scheme, a quarterly REHIS Journal, regional Northern and Southern centres, working groups, and an annual Environmental Health Update and AGM.

REHIS generates revenue through individual and corporate membership subscriptions (priced at £48–£190 per year depending on category, with direct-debit discounts), qualification examination and certification fees, professional development courses, events, and merchandise. Members include practising EHOs and FSOs across Scottish local authorities and national agencies, training providers, students and retired professionals. The Institute partners with the Scottish Government, Food Standards Scotland, Public Health Scotland, the HSE, SEPA, NHS Boards, SQA Accreditation and academic institutions including Strathclyde University, Abertay University and (historically) Napier and Langside Colleges.

Name

The Royal Environmental Health Institute Of Scotland (rehis)

Legal name

The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland

Website

https://rehis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1875

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

REHIS is an independent Scottish charity and chartered awarding body that sets and issues Environmental Health Officer and Food Safety Officer qualifications in Scotland, delivering 28+ credentials through 500+ Approved Training Centres and 200+ schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Environmental Health Qualifications

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAAALAO

Environmental, Health & Safety / Sustainability (EHS, Environmental Compliance CE)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Licensure & Continuing Professional Education (CE/CPE)

SECONDARYEDAAANAJ

Safety, Compliance & Regulatory (OSHA/HSE/GxP) Certifications

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Certification Programs

Keywords

• Environmental health qualifications
• Professional membership services
• Food safety training
• Vocational training courses
• Continuing professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees from Environmental Health Officers, corporate members, associates, students, and retired members. Membership provides access to professional development, CPD schemes, the REHIS Journal, and member discounts.
2. Professional Qualifications and Training: Revenue from delivering qualifications across 28+ subject areas through Approved Training Centres. Includes food hygiene, HACCP, control of infection, occupational health and safety, first aid, and licensing qualifications. Over 35,000 certificates issued annually.
3. Professional Courses and Events: Fees from professional development courses, update events, and the annual Environmental Health Update & AGM. Also includes examination and certification fees for the Diploma in Environmental Health.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

REHIS is an independent Scottish charity and awarding body that develops, accredits and administers professional Environmental Health qualifications (including the Diploma in Environmental Health) and a portfolio of 28+ training qualifications spanning food hygiene, HACCP, infection control, occupational health and safety, first aid and licensing. It delivers these qualifications through a partner network of 500+ Approved Training Centres and 200+ secondary schools, while operating a tiered professional membership program that confers Chartered EHO status and supports CPD compliance.

Product overview

REHIS offers a portfolio of qualifications and training programs delivered through a network of over 500 Approved Training Centres and 200 secondary schools. The core offering includes the REHIS Diploma in Environmental Health (the primary professional qualification for Environmental Health Officers), supported by specialized qualifications in Food Hygiene, Food and Health, HACCP, Control of Infection, Occupational Health and Safety, Licensing, and First Aid. The REHIS Schools Initiative provides food hygiene and nutrition qualifications to secondary school pupils, while professional development pathways include Chartered EHO status and Higher Certificates for food safety officers. All qualifications operate within the SCQF framework and are recognized nationally and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• REHIS Diploma in Environmental Health The primary professional qualification awarded by REHIS, enabling individuals to practice as Environmental Health Officers in Scotland. Nationally recognized under the SCQF framework; over 4,329 diplomas have been awarded.
• Chartered EHO Status The highest professional status awarded by REHIS to eligible Environmental Health Officer members, recognizing professional qualifications, training, experience and commitment to Environmental Health practice.
• Higher Certificate in Official Control Qualification introduced following changes to the Food Law Code of Practice in 2019 for those working in official food control roles.
• Higher Certificate in Food Practice Streamlined food practice qualification launched in 2022, consolidating multiple food qualifications into a single award.
• Elementary Food Hygiene Course Foundation-level food safety qualification available to schools since 1993 and to wider learners, providing nationally recognized understanding of food hygiene practices.
• Elementary Food and Health Course Additional food and nutrition qualification introduced in 2015 in response to demand from schools and learners, complementing the Elementary Food Hygiene course.
• REHIS Schools Initiative A nationwide program supporting secondary schools in Scotland to deliver food hygiene and nutrition qualifications, with over 200 schools participating and more than 10,000 pupils achieving qualifications in 2025 alone.
• REHIS Professional Membership Tiered annual professional membership (Corporate Member EHO £190/£140; Corporate Member commensurate £190/£140; Associate Member £190/£140; Student £48/£16; Retired £48) including access to CPD schemes, REHIS Journal, networking through Northern and Southern centres, member discounts and post-nominal letters.
• REHIS E-Learning Courses Online delivery channel for REHIS qualifications, providing flexible access to training for learners across Scotland via the rehis.com platform.
• Approved Training Centre Accreditation Accreditation programme that allows training centres throughout Scotland to deliver REHIS qualifications through qualified registered presenters, with over 500 centres currently approved.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35,000+ certificates issued annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and historical.

• Scottish GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funding partner for the REHIS Schools Initiative. Supports delivery of food hygiene and nutrition qualifications to secondary school pupils across Scotland. The initiative has been running for over 30 years.
• Tartan CaledoniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigned the REHIS 150th anniversary tartan. The design incorporates the colours of the official REHIS crest and thread counts marking the year of inception (1875).
• Grassmarket Community ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigned and crafted the 150th Celebration Time Capsule using reclaimed teak wood. The design is in Georgian Style in keeping with the Institute's office in Edinburgh.
• Food Standards ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner working with Environmental Health Officers and FSOs. EHOs and FSOs work closely with Food Standards Scotland sharing best practice to maintain high standards of service throughout Scotland.
• Public Health ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner working with Environmental Health Officers and FSOs. Collaborates on public health protection and disease prevention initiatives.
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner working with Environmental Health Officers and FSOs. Collaborates on workplace safety and occupational health matters.
• NHS BoardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partners working with Environmental Health Officers on public health protection, infectious diseases, and community health initiatives.
• SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner working with Environmental Health Officers on pollution control, contaminated land, and environmental protection matters.
• Abertay UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccredited MSc programme in Environmental Health in 2025, strengthening the network of recognised academic partners across the UK.
• Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland (SoCOEHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJointly produced the 150th anniversary video celebrating the Environmental Health profession. Reflects shared commitment to protecting public health, supporting communities, and shaping a safer, healthier future.
• SQA AccreditationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerREHIS works with SQA Accreditation for some qualifications and recognition. Mentioned in privacy policy as regulatory body for quality assurance purposes.
• CITB (Construction Industry Training Board)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentioned in privacy policy as regulatory body for some qualification recognition purposes.
• CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentioned in privacy policy as regulatory body for some qualification recognition purposes.
• Napier CollegehistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical academic partner offering courses in Sanitary Science since 1968. Part of the foundation for environmental health education in Scotland.
• Langside CollegehistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical academic partner offering courses in Sanitary Science since 1968. Part of the foundation for environmental health education in Scotland.
• Strathclyde UniversityhistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched Scotland's first degree programme in Environmental Health in 1975. The course thrived for four decades with consistently high enrolment and strong reputation.
• Environmental Health Association IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSent a card wishing the Institute well on 150 years. International professional connection in the environmental health field.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• British Safety Council: UK-based charity offering health, safety and environmental training, qualifications and membership. Comparable to REHIS as a chartered awarding and membership body with similar EHS training products and CPD offerings, but with broader UK/international reach.
• Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH): The world's largest professional membership body for health and safety, awarding widely recognised occupational H&S qualifications. IOSH overlaps with REHIS's occupational health & safety qualification stream and membership model, though it operates globally rather than just in Scotland.

Regional players

• International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH): Global federation of national EHO professional bodies. REHIS-affiliated EHOs participate through SoCOEHS and Environmental Health Association Ireland links; IFEH represents the international umbrella that REHIS could leverage for cross-border recognition.
• Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA): Scotland's national awarding body. REHIS qualifications sit on the SCQF framework and SQA Accreditation provides quality assurance; SQA is both a partner and a comparator as the dominant national qualifications awarding body in Scotland.
• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB): UK chartered body awarding construction and built-environment professional qualifications. Partially comparable to REHIS as a Royal Charter-holding awarding and membership body in a related built-environment/H&S domain.

Direct peers

• Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH): The UK-wide professional body for environmental health, awarding equivalent EHO qualifications and memberships. CIEH is REHIS's closest direct peer in scope (EHO qualifications, professional membership, chartered status) but operates across England, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as internationally.
• Highfield Qualifications: UK awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual delivering food safety, H&S and first-aid qualifications via training providers. Competes head-on with REHIS qualifications at training centres across the UK, including Scotland.
• Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH): UK charity awarding public health qualifications including food hygiene, HACCP and health & safety. RSPH directly competes with REHIS in vocational food safety and infection control qualifications delivered through training centres across the UK.

Others

• Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland (SoCOEHS): Represents chief EHO officers in Scottish local authorities. A close ecosystem partner of REHIS (jointly produced the 150th anniversary video) but distinct as a leadership body rather than an awarding or membership organisation.

Emerging players

• NSF International: Global public health and safety organisation offering food safety training and certification. Comparable as a training/qualification provider competing for the same employer and training-centre relationships, particularly in regulated food and water safety.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-royal-environmental-health-institute-of-scotland-rehis

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Royal Environmental Health Institute Of Scotland (rehis)