An insight into how BSI, the only UK National Standards Body, creates standards.

BSI is the only UK National Standards Body (NSB). It is responsible for facilitating the drafting, publishing and marketing of British Standards. Although it is independent of government, BSI works closely with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and a wide range of government departments and agencies in both the standards-making process and to ensure standards help deliver government policy.

Technical committees (and sub-committees) agree the scope and purpose of a new standard. They communicate these to a working group, or drafting group, whose job it is to draw up the initial draft of a new standard.

Standards are drafted within specific rules to ensure that they can be applied consistently.

A draft version of each standard is made available for public comment, at which time anyone with an interest can express their views. All feedback is considered before the finished standard is approved and published.

BSI staff coordinate the work of experts to ensure that developments in business and consumer interests are embraced and reflected in new standards, and that standards are published to schedule.

All individuals, organisations or businesses with a vested interest can influence content.

Technical committees

Standards are developed through a process of consensus in one of the BSI's many technical committees. The majority of work is carried out using Internet-based methods, although committees do meet when necessary.

Technical committee members include industry experts, representatives from business, government, research, test and certification organisations, universities and academic institutions, consumer interest groups and trade unions.  Individual businesses are rarely directly represented on committees. Representation is usually through groups with a related interest (for example, trade associations) to ensure that as wide a consensus as practicable is reached. In some cases, where individuals have a particular expertise, they might be co-opted onto a committee so that they can contribute directly.

When standards reach the Draft for Public Comment stage, they are circulated via BSI's online consultation process - please see: http://drafts.bsigroup.com/.

Why should I get involved?

BSI welcomes approaches from those who are interested in influencing standards. It requires time and effort, however there are a number of direct benefits that can be gained from participation in the development of standards that are relevant to a business.

Taking a direct role in the drafting of standards through BSI will allow businesses to:

Use the knowledge already established in standards that can support evolutionary business ventures, decrease development time and increase speed to market;

• Be pro-active in putting forward the business case for adapting existing standards to suit new products or technologies;
• Take a leadership role by considering the business case for initiating new work where no relevant standards exist;
• Take advantage of the immediate benefit of networking both professionally and personally with experts from the same business/technology area;
• Be fully and currently aware of developments and trends in the standards the business is interested in;
• Be fully involved in the standards drafting process so as to actively influence and guide the content of the published national, international and/or European standard;
• Make efficient use of their time used for standards work by being involved in either technical committees, sub committees or panels which are focused in the areas they are interested in;
• Be able to identify and take part in new areas of standards work and hence be in a position to have advanced knowledge of any emerging or developing markets.

Standard for removals services

As seen, BSI already has a number of published standards on furniture removals, from storage of furniture and personal effects for private individuals to Commercial moving services. With the publication of the new Standard, BS 8564 Overseas Removals Services: Requirement for Overseas removal services, Dan Palmer, BSI's Head of Market Development for Services and Manufacturing hopes that it will provide a solution for the industry: "Overseas removals are a headache for both businesses and consumers. Standards are already a well-established source of good practice for domestic and commercial removals in the UK, and this new work has the potential to boost customer confidence in overseas removals.”  

Hopefully this new Standard will help UK overseas removals firms set themselves apart to consumers or commercial clients.

Sarah Horsfield is the Secretary of BSI's Removals Services committee at BSI. E-mail: sarah.horsfield@bsigroup.com. Visit www.bsigroup.com.