Evaluation & Certification
Testing, inspecting, verifying
Some British Standards are enforced by regulation, such as health and safety regulations, but for most Standards, compliance is voluntary. Organizations that want to demonstrate that their product, process or service complies with a standard can use a company that provides testing, certification, inspection or calibration services.
The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) assesses these evaluation bodies against internationally agreed standards. Accreditation by UKAS demonstrates the competence and impartiality of evaluators.
Kitemark and CE marking
The Kitemark symbol was originally only used in the UK, but it is now recognised throughout the world as a mark of quality. Having a Kitemark associated with a product or service certifies that it complies with a particular Standard. BSI has developed many Kitemark schemes that cover a variety of products and services, from printed circuit boards to electrical contractors.
The letters 'CE' on a product are the manufacturer's claim that the product meets the requirements of all relevant European Directives. Many products are covered by these directives and for some, such as toys, it is a legal requirement to have a CE mark. This shows that the product achieves a minimum level of quality, and ensures it can be moved freely throughout the European Single Market.