BSI Group

BSI Group
Non-profit distributing incorporated body operating under Royal Charter
Founded 1901
Headquarters London, United Kingdom
Number of locations
 73 offices in 28 countries [1]
Area served
 Worldwide
Products standards and standards related services
Revenue Increase£331.1m (2015)[2]
Number of employees
 Over 3,500 (2015)
Subsidiaries List of BSI countries
Website www.bsigroup.com

BSI Group, also known as the British Standards Institution (or BSI), is the national standards body of the United Kingdom. BSI produces technical standards on a wide range of products and services, and also supplies certification and standards-related services to businesses.

History

BSI Group headquarters building in Gunnersbury, West London, featuring the BSI Group logo

BSI Group was founded as the Engineering Standards Committee in London in 1901.[3] It subsequently extended its standardization work and became the British Engineering Standards Association in 1918, adopting the name British Standards Institution in 1931 after receiving a Royal Charter in 1929. In 1998 a revision of the Charter enabled the organization to diversify and acquire other businesses, and the trading name was changed to BSI Group.

The Group now operates in 182 countries.[4] The core business remains standards and standards related services, although the majority of the Group's revenue comes from management systems assessment and certification work.[5]

Activities

BSI produces British Standards, and, as the UK’s National Standards Body, is also responsible for the UK publication, in English, of international and European standards. BSI is obliged to adopt and publish all European Standards as identical British Standards (prefixed BS EN) and to withdraw pre-existing British Standards that are in conflict.[6] However, it has the option to adopt and publish international standards (prefixed BS ISO or BS IEC).

In response to commercial demands, BSI also produces commissioned standards products such as Publicly Available Specifications, (PASs), Private Standards and Business Information Publications. These products are commissioned by individual organizations and trade associations to meet their needs for standardised specifications, guidelines, codes of practice etc. Because they are not subject to the same consultation and consensus requirements as formal standards, the lead time is shorter.

BSI also publishes standards-related books, CD-ROMs, subscription products and web-based solutions as well as providing training on standards-related issues.

Management Systems Assessment and Certification

With 80,000 clients, BSI Group is one of the world’s largest certification bodies. It audits and provides certification to companies worldwide who implement management systems standards. BSI also runs training courses that cover the implementation and auditing requirements of national and international management systems standards.

It is independently accredited[7] and assesses a wide range of standards and other specifications including:

Testing Services and Healthcare

BSI Group Kitemark certification symbol

Within Testing Services, BSI's best known product in the UK is the Kitemark, a registered certification mark first used in 1903.[3] The Kitemark – which is recognized by 82% of UK adults[8] – signifies products or services which have been assessed and tested as meeting the requirements of the related specification or standard within a Kitemark scheme.

BSI also conducts testing of products for a range of certifications, including for CE marking. CE marking must be applied to a wide range of products intended for sale in the European Economic Area. Frequently manufacturers or importers need a third-party certification of their product from an accredited or ‘Notified’ body. BSI holds Notified Body status for 15 EU Directives,[9] including construction products, marine equipment, pressurised equipment and personal protective equipment.

BSI also conducts testing for manufacturers developing new products and has facilities to test across a wide range of sectors, including construction, fire safety, electrical and electronic and engineering products.

Within Healthcare, BSI provides regulatory and quality management reviews, and product certification for medical device manufacturers in Europe, the United States, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Canada and China.[10] It is the market leader in the USA, the world’s biggest healthcare market.[11]

Milestones

Acquisitions

Starting in 1998, BSI Group has adopted a policy of international growth through acquisition as follows:[16]

See also

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Press Release. "BSI reports highest profits and revenue in 114 year history". www.bsigroup.com. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "BSI Group financial information". bsigroup.com. BSI Group. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  3. 1 2 Robert C McWilliam. BSI: The first hundred years. 2001. Thanet Press. London
  4. ↑ Press Release. "BSI reports highest profits and revenue in 114 year history". www.bsigroup.com. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "BSI Group Annual Report and Financial Statements 2014, page 20" (PDF). www.bsigroup.com. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  6. ↑ European Committee for Standardization Benefits and Principles Archived 7 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ [email protected] (2008-11-15). "United Kingdom Accreditation Service Certification Body Schedules". Ukas.com. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  8. ↑ "Annual Review 2006, page 15" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  9. ↑ "BSI Group Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009, page 97" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  10. ↑ "BSI Group Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009, page 11" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  11. ↑ "BSI Group Annual Report and Financial Statements 2009, page 24" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  12. ↑ BSI was founded in 1901
  13. ↑ "Annual Review 2006, page 24" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  14. ↑ http://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/about-bsi/media-centre/press-releases/2004/4/BSI-Brand-Joins-The-Super-League/ BSI Press Release 2004
  15. ↑ Superbrand Official Top 500 2012
  16. ↑ "History of BSI Group". Bsigroup.com. 1929-04-22. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  17. ↑ "BSI Press Release 22 March 2010". Bsigroup.com. 2010-03-22. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  18. ↑ "BSI strengthens position in Australia with acquisition of NCS International". BSI. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  19. ↑ "Press Release:BSI enters US consultancy market with EORM acquisition". BSI Group. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  20. ↑ "BSI Group Annual Report and Financial Statements 2014, page 59, Post balance sheet events" (PDF). www.bsigroup.com. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  21. ↑ Weckler, Adrian. "British IT security firm snaps up Espion". www.independent.ie. Independent IE. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  22. ↑ "BSI expands US footprint with Atrium acquisition". www.cirmagazine.com. Continuity Insurance and Risk. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  23. ↑ "BSI bolsters US East Coast EHS Consulting presence with acquisition of New York City firm, Creative Environment Solutions". www.kusi.com. Kusi News. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  24. ↑ Sims, Brian. "BSI moves to acquire UK cyber security and assurance expert Info-Assure Ltd". www.risk-uk.com. Risk UK. Retrieved 11 November 2016.

External links

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