The British Standards Institution (BSI) is the UK's National Standards Body. While independent of government, the organisation works closely with the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR), business and other interests. The goal is to ensure that standards are:
- fair and collaborative
- flexible and clearly communicated
- effective and relevant to all interested parties
The Process of Standardization
BSI provides UK businesses and others with access to, and influence over, standardization worldwide. All individuals, organisations or businesses with a vested interest can influence content.
When it comes to creating new British Standards, BSI establishes a technical committee that considers the views of all interested parties, and then agrees the details of the new standard in draft form. This is released for public comment, so that others can influence the standard's content. When all feedback has been received and considered, the final standard is published.
Formal Standards Publications
Formal standards are created or revised when new processes, services or products create an identifiable need for them, or when societal or commercial requirements shift. Often, this occurs when a business develops an innovative product or process to which no existing standard can be applied. As a matter of course, all formal standards are reviewed every five years or less.
Formal standards are developed through a process of drafting and consultation. At a national level, the principle of consensus is strongly upheld. Consensus is still sought at European and international levels, but the decision to progress at each stage of development is taken by vote (qualified majority voting in the case of CEN). In all cases, there is a requirement for the widest possible consultation.
Informal Publications
Private standards are client-driven and privately funded, with the agreement of stakeholders. They are not subject to full public enquiry but are often developed in accordance with BSI's standards drafting rules.
Support Material
Business Information publications from BSI are written in a user-friendly style and aim to provide guidance and support on the usage and implementation of standards. Subject specialists, leaders in their field of expertise, author these publications, working closely with BSI's in-house team of Technical Project Editors to produce accurate and accessible information.
