Marc Smith, joint managing director at Essex-based ADM, said that the company decided it needed the accreditation after customers started enquiring about it.

He said: "We are trying to be proactive rather than waiting for customers to insist on it. A couple of clients enquired about it; they are thinking of going down that route themselves.

"I think it is a standard which will become commonplace in the near future and suppliers without it will fall behind. It is now up to us to educate other clients about it and help them inform their clients."

The accreditation guides companies on how to collect and manage data securely. Regulations for achieving the accreditation include ensuring that it is kept on secure servers within legal time limits, and securely disposed of afterwards.

ADM said it expected to hit a turnover of £2m this year, up from £1.5m in 2010. It employs 20 permanent staff, but can have as many as 80 casual employees. Smith added that the company expected to make an investment in kit in the next six months.