Background information for teachers
Why do we have Standards?
Standards affect our daily lives in many ways, making life easier, safer and healthier.
Here are just a few examples:
- Ensuring electrical wiring is safe in the equipment we use in homes, schools, factories and offices
- Rationalising clothes sizes across different countries
- Advising on the safety of sunglasses to protect our eyes
- Helping to make buildings more accessible to disabled users.
What is a Standard?
A Standard is a published guide or specification that establishes a common language, and contains a technical specification or other precise criteria. It is designed to be used consistently, as a rule, as a guideline, or as a definition. Standards are applied to many materials, components, finished products, systems and services. They help to make life simpler, and increase the reliability and effectiveness of many goods and services we use.
How is a Standard produced?
A British Standard is created by appropriately qualified and experienced people who are brought together by BSI. Typically they represent industry, government, manufacturers, sellers, academia, societal groups and consumers. They discuss and agree on the details that will form the new British Standard.
What does BSI do?
BSI was the first National Standards Body in the world and acts independently of government. BSI is a non-profit distributing organization, which means that all profits are reinvested in the services provided. BSI is globally recognised as an independent and impartial body serving both the private and public sectors, and working with manufacturing and service industries, businesses and governments. It aids the creation of British Standards, publishes them and makes them available. BSI also enables the UK’s contribution to European (EN) and international Standards (ISO).
What is the Kitemark?
If
a product displays a Kitemark,
BSI will have independently tested and confirmed that the product complies
with the relevant Standard.
The product manufacturer pays for this service and their product is tested and assessed at regular intervals. The Kitemark is the symbol that assures consumers that the product they have bought really does conform to the appropriate British Standard and should therefore be safe and reliable.
Companies are not legally required to carry a Kitemark but many everyday appliances, such as electrical plugs and crash helmets, have them.
How is CE marking different to the Kitemark?
Many
products, such as toys, must meet legal requirements before they can
be sold within the European Community, and must carry CE marking. CE
marking is designed to remove European trade barriers. It indicates
that the product complies with the European Directive on toys. It is
not a European safety or quality mark.
So
you want to find out more about BSI and Standards?
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