Our history and expertise sets us apart from other testing & certification organisations
Heritage
As part of the British Standards Institution (BSI) our history, and the expertise of our people, sets us apart from other testing and certification organisations. BSI has always been at the vanguard of the testing and certification industry, working with all types of organisation to help them develop and deliver compliant products and to prove their product quality.
Integrity
As a fully UKAS Accredited Certification Body, BSI can ensure that the benefits of certification meet your expectations through testing and certification to British, European, or International standards, as well as a manufacturer’s own specification. We hold Notified Body Status for seventeen European Directives and we are familiar with the market access requirements of virtually every country in the world.
BSI is the only organisation that can grant a licence for the world-famous Kitemark, which has been a symbol of trust and integrity since 1903.
Our team of more than 270 people delivers world class expertise, improving products, services and trading relationships globally. We help thousands of organisations to open new markets, maximise the potential of existing markets and manage risk, thereby making them more successful and allowing them to make a real difference to their business and their customers.
Our core philosophy is teamwork: we work with our clients to help them reach their objectives by providing technical judgements and physical testing of products, components and processes, at all stages of the production cycle. We also develop quality schemes for services and issue certification that covers such areas as quality, fairness and customer service.
Independence
One of the key strengths of BSI is our independence. We are not owned by government, industry or shareholders, which means that we can be totally objective in our testing and certification. This gives our assessments more authority than those of an organisation that has a vested interest in promoting its members.
Impartiality is also important for voluntary schemes such as the Kitemark, where purchasers can see the manufacturers’ or service providers’ commitment to delivering safety and quality, every time.
For further guidance on CE Marking (CE mark), Kitemark or Product testing information
contact an advisor now.
Back to top
In order to provide confidence and demonstrate the impartiality of our certification processes, BSI believes in the principle of openness, while respecting the strict confidentiality of customer data derived from its clients.
Descriptions of our certification processes are contained within the terms and conditions agreed with each client. These are in full accordance with the relevant standards.
The aim of certification is to inspire confidence from the public and interested parties that an organisation certified by BSI fulfils specified requirements. This confidence depends upon many factors including the competence of management and staff, impartiality and the perception of impartiality and the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To that end, BSI follows the principles set out in ISO/IEC 17021: 2006 and has appropriate processes to safeguard BSI's impartiality.
BSI provides publicly accessible information about the certification status of each of its clients through the Certificate and Client Directory. This shows whether a certificate or Licence is current, and may also show if a certificate or Licence is suspended or has been withdrawn in the last month.
BSI does not, in the normal course of events, suspend certified clients and will only do so under exceptional circumstances and on a case by case basis. Under suspension, the relevant certification is invalid until the suspension is lifted. Such suspension may be made clear on the BSI client directory.
Back to top
If you are a certified client of BSI and have a dispute concerning your certification and which you have been unable to resolve either through your Scheme Manager, or with the local management of your BSI Healthcare and Testing Services office, you may appeal in writing to the Managing Director of BSI.
Regardless of country location, following the receipt of an appeal, an independent appeal panel will be appointed which is independent of the issue under consideration. A meeting of the appeals panel and the interested parties will be convened as soon as practicable. Evidence from all parties will be heard in confidence and the appeals panel will make a final and conclusive decision which will be notified in writing to BSI and the Appellant.
Back to top
BSI takes complaints against itself and its clients seriously.
Complaints about BSI should be submitted in writing, to the Managing Director of BSI Healthcare and Testing Services. We will ensure we understand your concerns fully and deal with the complaint fairly and promptly. You will be kept informed of progress and we will reply as soon as the complaint been fully investigated.
Complaints about a registered client should also be submitted in writing. Having confirmed that the subject client is registered by BSI Product Services, we will ensure that they are taking appropriate action and confirm how the issue has been dealt with during a subsequent audit of the client. For this reason, these complaints may take longer to fully resolve.
BSI will not make complaints against itself or any of its client’s public unless required to do so by a court of law.
For further guidance on CE Marking (CE mark), Kitemark or Product testing information
contact an advisor now.
Back to top
It is the company’s policy to grow the business through delivering consistent, flexible services satisfying our customers’ needs and maximising our potential in our markets.
This policy is underpinned by our Key Performance Values:
Striving for superior performance, achieving challenging objectives and profitably growing the top line in a creative, collaborative and innovative way;
Demonstrating passion for the business; communicating, sharing and acting upon a meaningful vision for the future;
Leading by example, uncompromising in the drive for improved performance and management of under-performance, supportive in the development of others, encouraging talent and creating opportunities for people to learn;
Ensuring that business dealings are conducted in accordance with the BSI Group Rules and Group policy documents and in an ethical manner, demonstrating respect for others within a diverse cultural environment, that does not tolerate prejudice or discrimination;
Displaying a clear understanding of our customers and recognising the need for change and adding value.
BSI is committed to maintaining a quality management system, incorporating all accreditation requirements, which supports this quality policy and our Key Performance Values and encourages a culture of continuous process improvement throughout the business.
For further guidance on CE Marking (CE mark), Kitemark or Product testing information
contact an advisor now.
Back to top
