A new BSI standard is set to help Overseas Removals firms take a step forward, Sarah Horsfield explains…

Many people and businesses relocate overseas each year with security, safety and timeliness being among the key factors for both private and commercial clients. In the last decade European and international standards have been developed but until now nothing has been made specifically for the overseas market.  The introduction of a new British Standard, BS 8564:2011 is set to change this by pulling together good practice and minimum requirements for overseas moving services.  

This Standard, the result of shared knowledge as developed by industry, consumer bodies, and government departments, is intended to set a benchmark for good practice for overseas removals and to help raise both businesses’ and consumers’ confidence and choice where movers are following the Standard. The Standard encourages the use of fair, ethical and inclusive practices for consumers whilst helping commercial organisations alike to understand what level of service should be provided by firms working to BS 8564.

Companies wishing to use this voluntary Standard would include a declaration in their marketing literature.

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, most of which apply across Europe and relate solely to domestic removals.

With the publication of the new Standard, 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.”   

BSI is the UK’s National Standards Body, incorporated by Royal Charter and responsible independently for preparing British Standards and related publications. BSI has 110 years of experience in serving the interest of a wide range of stakeholders including government, business and society.

A copy of 'BS 8564:2011 may be purchased from the BSI shop - http://shop.bsigroup.com

Sarah Horsfield is the Secretary of BSI's Removals Services Committee at BSI. Should you wish to request further information, please contact Sarah Horsfield at sarah.horsfield@bsigroup.com, or visit http://www.bsigroup.com/