Press releases

View news articles by year:

Most recent news

19 November 2020

BSI guiding UK small retailers to safe online trading as peak shopping season approaches >

Many small organizations are experiencing the world of e-commerce for the first time this year, having moved online to continue operating the business against the unfolding pandemic. In the UK, co.uk domains between the period of January and October 2020 saw an increase of 31,000 new registrations .

18 November 2020

UK lays foundation for electric vehicles with new code of practice for battery handling >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has today published the first code of practice for the safe and environmentally-conscious handling of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). It is the first publication from the Faraday Battery Challenge Standardization Programme, which is delivered with support from UK Research and Innovation as part of the government’s £317 million investment to address the UK productivity gap in the EV market.

02 November 2020

Amendment to British Standard: BS 5839-6+A1 >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standard Body, has published an amendment to BS 5839-6+A1:2020. Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings Part 6: Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises.

28 October 2020

Phishing revealed as number one organization attack >

A recent poll¹ carried out by BSI highlighted phishing as the most frequent organization hack for 59 per cent of respondents, this was followed by malware at 44 per cent, web hack at 21 per cent, credit card hack at 18 per cent and wireless compromise at 12 per cent. For Cyber Security Month, BSI’s cybersecurity and information resilience team are focused on supporting organizations and individuals across industry sectors to raise awareness and mitigate the risks of social engineering techniques.

28 October 2020

UK leads the way in sustainable finance with the first set of requirements for investment management >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has today published the first specification for responsible and sustainable investment management. It addresses the policies and processes needed to create and embed a responsible approach to investment management.

21 October 2020

Cargo theft and labor exploitation incidents increase risk to supply chains as COVID-19 impact remains strong >

BSI, the business improvement company, recently announced the latest findings from its quarterly review and outlook of the top global supply chain security, business continuity, food safety and fraud, and corporate social responsibility threats and trends.

06 October 2020

BSI launches Aviation Certification of Compliance audit scheme >

BSI, the business improvement company, today launches a new global Aviation Certification of Compliance audit scheme. This programme is designed to help aerospace organizations to prepare for their ‘next normal’ by providing a best practice approach to mitigating public health risks and increasing consumer confidence in air travel.

06 October 2020

Project launch: First building design standard for sensory and neurological needs >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, announces a new project to create the first set of guidance for the design of the built environment to include the needs of people who experience sensory and neurological processing difficulties and/or differences. This includes neurodivergent, neurodegenerative and other neurological conditions which may affect sensory processing and mental wellbeing.

01 October 2020

First standard to measure the biodegradability of polyolefins published by BSI >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, publishes the first standard for measuring the biodegradability of polyolefins: the most littered form of plastic packaging¹.

01 October 2020

One year on from Natasha’s Law consumers are still in the dark about allergy labelling >

A year after a landmark law that will make allergen labelling on food mandatory, YouGov research commissioned by BSI has revealed nearly two thirds (64%) of respondents are still unaware of the change of law, while the food service industry faces an uphill struggle to make the shift before labelling is required.

16 September 2020

New BSI Flex Standards enable dynamic consensus >

Standards offer a set of powerful tools to enable organizations to become more innovative and productive, improve their governance and enable market access. Reaching agreement rapidly on what good looks like is essential to meet the demands of a changing world and for BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, this has meant finding new ways to build a stakeholder-led consensus that go beyond traditional models of standardization.

08 September 2020

BSI selected as finalists of Reuters Events Responsible Business Awards 2020 >

BSI, the business improvement company has been selected as a finalist in the Sustainability Innovation category at Reuters Events Responsible Business Awards 2020 – the world’s leading celebration of responsible business excellence.

07 September 2020

Gas appliances installation and maintenance standard is updated by BSI >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has published BS 6173:2020: Installation and maintenance of gas fired catering appliances for use in all types of catering establishments (2nd and 3rd family gases). Specification. This newly revised British Standard aims to improve the accuracy of installation and maintenance tests of gas fired catering appliances.

26 August 2020

BSI releases full revision of British Standard for usability engineering for medical devices >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has published BS EN 62366-1:2015+A1:2019, Medical devices - Part 1: Application of usability engineering to medical devices. The newly revised British Standard aims to help manufacturers improve usability of medical devices by setting out an appropriate usability engineering process.

11 August 2020

New BSI taxonomy to help fast-track safe automated driving >

BSI, in its role as the UK’s National Standards Body, publishes the first taxonomy for specifying the Operational Design Domain (ODD) of an automated driving system (ADS). It is the third publication from the CAV Standards Programme, backed by the government’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and delivered in conjunction with the Department for Transport, Innovate UK and Zenzic.

05 August 2020

Comments welcome on the new International Standard providing guidance on managing psychological health and safety at work >

Public consultation on the international standard ISO/DIS 45003, Occupational health and safety management — Psychological health and safety at work: managing psychosocial risks — Guidelines is now open until 3 October.

04 August 2020

Cargo theft and migration incidents increase risk to supply chains as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic remains strong >

BSI, the business improvement company, today announced the latest findings from its quarterly review of the top global supply chain security, business continuity, food safety and fraud, and corporate social responsibility threats and trends. Powered by the Supply Chain Risk Exposure Evaluation Network (SCREEN) tool, BSI found that while COVID-19 concerns remain at the top of the list, its effect has created a number of secondary disruptions and risks which are impacting supply chains, including migration, cargo theft and child labor.

03 August 2020

Telecommunication Technology Association (TTA) and BSI sign Memorandum of Understanding >

Dr Scott Steedman, Director of Standards at BSI and Mr Choi Young Hae, President of Telecommunication Technology Association (TTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) through a virtual video link on Friday 17th July 2020.

30 July 2020

BSI approved to deliver Sedex Virtual Assessments >

BSI, the business improvement company is pleased to announce that it has been approved by Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) to conduct independent ethical supply chain management audits remotely.

30 July 2020

Public consultation open for the Faraday Battery Challenge standards >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, is seeking consultation from experts in the energy and automotive industries for the Faraday Battery Challenge (FBC) Standards programme.

28 July 2020

PAS 60518:2020 Developing and implementing enterprise risk and resilience management (ERRM) in utilities. Guide >

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) collaborates with BSI to launch the first enterprise risk and resilience guide for utilities organizations.

Peak holiday season Business Email Compromise caution from BSI >

The cybersecurity and information resilience team at BSI is advising organizations to remain alert to an increase in Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks during the peak holiday season.

23 July 2020

Public consultation open for the first energy smart appliance classification >

Public consultation open for the first energy smart appliance classification The public consultation process for the first draft standardization document from the Energy Smart Appliances (ESA) programme is now open until 2 September.

21 July 2020

New National Standards programme set to raise professional competence in the built environment sector >

Professional competence recommendations set out in Dame Judith Hackitt’s Building a Safer Future report set to be fulfilled by BSI with new standards programme

17 July 2020

New BSI Kitemark™ for Face Coverings to boost consumer confidence >

As face coverings become increasingly part of our everyday lives, BSI, the business improvement company, today launches a BSI Kitemark for Face Coverings. The new Kitemark assesses face coverings to a technical specification that requires 70% particle filtration and breathability tests to ensure consumer comfort whilst reducing the risk of spreading infection. Face coverings differ from PPE and medical grade face masks in that they are intended to protect those in close proximity to the wearer, not the wearer themselves.

13 July 2020

New international standard for Building Information Modelling (BIM): Security-minded approach to information management >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has published the new international standard BS EN ISO 19650-5:2020. It is the third publication in the Building Information Modelling (BIM) 19650-series* and an important addition to the UK BIM Framework.

07 July 2020

Code of practice for ground investigations has been updated >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has revised BS 5930 Code of practice for ground investigations.

06 July 2020

BS 10125 to undergo full revision >

BS 10125 Automotive services - Specification for vehicle damage repair processes is due to undergo its first full revision since its publication as a British Standard in 2014. It specifies requirements for vehicle damage repair carried out by garages, service centres and mobile repair services.

02 July 2020

Updated Guidelines published to help organizations work safely and stop the spread of COVID-19 >

Version 2 of BSI’s Safe Working Guidelines has published today, to help organizations protect people at work from the ongoing coronavirus risks, mitigate outbreaks and build long-term resilience.

30 June 2020

Howard Kerr talks about BSI's values >

We are all observing events around the world and thinking of our colleagues and clients in many countries who struggle for equality and human rights. Our world is challenged by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and social division. Social injustice across our communities strikes at the very core of both personal and organizational values, and actions which threaten these values cause harm not just to the individuals targeted but to our society in general.

29 June 2020

BSI advice on cybersecurity and data protection essentials for office return >

Preparation will be paramount for many organizations, with the transition from working from home (WFH) back to working from office (WFO) requiring safe and considered management as they reoccupy their facilities. Maintaining a company’s information resilience is a key element of these plans to ensure that cybersecurity risks are managed, and data privacy regulations are not violated

23 June 2020

BSI launches Workplace Hygiene Solution >

BSI, the business improvement company, today launches a new Workplace Hygiene Solution including standards, consultancy, training, auditing and the BSI Kitemark™; a mark of trust. The programme has been developed to help organizations embed a culture of good practice in health, safety, and hygiene throughout their operations.

12 June 2020

New BSI Kitemark™ for Food Assurance helps deliver consumer trust and support transparency in the food chain >

BSI, the business improvement company, responds to the food industry’s increasing levels of food fraud by independently verifying food product label claims to rebuild years of eroded consumer confidence with the launch of the new BSI Kitemark for Food Assurance.

11 June 2020

Dame Polly Courtice appointed as Board Advisor to BSI >

BSI, the business improvement company today announced the appointment of Dame Polly Courtice as Board Advisor with effect from 1 June 2020.

08 June 2020

Revised Quality Management System for supply chain organization in the oil and gas sector published by BSI >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has published BS EN ISO 29001. Petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries. Sector-specific quality management systems. Requirements for product and service supply organizations. The newly revised standard helps supply chain organizations in the oil and gas sector to drive operational improvements and demonstrate that relevant risk-based approaches are taken when implementing quality management systems.

03 June 2020

Project launch: First specification to prevent plastic pellet pollution >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, announces a new project to create the first specification that will help prevent plastic pellet pollution.

01 June 2020

First code of practice for water safety planning published by BSI >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has published BS 8680:2020 Water quality. Water Safety Plans. Code of practice.This new code of practice meets longstanding industry need for authoritative recommendations and guidance for Water Safety Planning to help ensure public health and safety.

28 May 2020

BSI publishes UK Safe Working Guidelines >

BSI, in its role as the UK’s National Standards Body, has published new safe working guidelines to help businesses manage a safe return to work and reoccupation of their facilities. The guidelines are intended to become a consensus of good practice and BSI encourages the business community and members of the public to have their say and share their learnings and insight on safe working to help protect public health.

26 May 2020

Biotechnology standards and regulations roadmap project announced to help reduce CO2 emissions and boost economic performance >

BSI, the business improvement company, in conjunction with Innovate UK, have announced a new project to accelerate the reduction of CO2 emissions and boost economic performance in the UK’s industrial biotechnology (IB) sector.

15 May 2020

BSI launches the first hydrogen fired gas appliances guide, helping to bring zero-carbon heating and cooking appliances to homes and commercial buildings >

The first guide for hydrogen fired gas appliances is unveiled as part of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s (BEIS) Hy4Heat Research and Innovation Programme

06 May 2020

BSI insights for strengthening your passwords on World Password Day >

World Password Day, a day created to promote better password habits takes place on Thursday 7 May. BSI’s Consulting Services is urging online users to strengthen their security posture online through good practices and to better protect themselves from the vast cyber risks that exist at present.

30 April 2020

BSI revises British Standard test method for the fire performance of external cladding systems >

BSI, the business improvement company, has revised its test method for the fire performance of external cladding systems (BS 8414).

28 April 2020

Guidelines for designing automated vehicle control systems published by BSI >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has released PAS 1880 Guidelines for developing and assessing control systems for automated vehicles. The new guide, developed with the support of UK government’s Centre for Connected and Automated Vehicles (CCAV), is intended to help companies involved in the design of automated vehicles, including those conducting trials and testing, to assess the safety of their control systems* and provide confidence in their end-product.

23 April 2020

BSI uses technology to provide clients remote alternatives to traditional auditing and training >

BSI, the business improvement company, has a suite of solutions that enable the delivery of critical services and products without disruption to clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

23 April 2020

First corporate governance guide for responsible innovation >

BSI, the UK National Standards body, publishes PAS 440 Responsible Innovation – Guide. It is the first national framework to help organizations to work through the demands of innovating in a responsible manner and demonstrating best practice.

16 April 2020

BSI warns of false PPE certificates >

BSI has been notified about a large number of false personal protective equipment (PPE) certificates that are currently in circulation. The certificates that have proven to be false have predominantly related to disposable face masks, however some have included other personal protective equipment including gloves, protective coveralls and eyewear protection.

15 April 2020

BSI warns of increase in COVID-19 phishing campaigns >

BSI, the business improvement company, is advising organizations to remain vigilant and alert to phishing attacks during the current Covid-19 pandemic to maintain information resilience.

14 April 2020

Tiffany Hall appointed Non-Executive Director to the BSI Board >

BSI, the business improvement company today announced the appointment of Tiffany Hall as a Non-Executive Director to the BSI Board with immediate effect.

08 April 2020

BSI maintains growth in year of significant investment >

BSI, the business improvement company, has announced its results for the year ended 31 December 2019. Revenue climbed seven per cent to £548.1 million, in a year which saw a substantial investment programme into the people and infrastructure of the global organization.

07 April 2020

BSI is providing complimentary access to in-depth COVID-19 related supply chain insights and intelligence >

BSI, the business improvement company, announced today that they are providing open access to the COVID-19 section of their Supply Chain Risk Exposure Evaluation Network (SCREEN) tool.

30 March 2020

BSI releases suite of best practice standards to help UK businesses >

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has made a suite of risk and business continuity standards publicly available to help British businesses navigate the challenges they face as a result of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

25 March 2020

BSI makes European standards for medical devices and PPE available >

In response to the European Commission’s request and in association with CEN, the European Committee for Standardization, and CENELEC, the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization, BSI has made a series of European Standards (ENs) for medical devices and personal protective equipment (PPE) used in the context of COVID-19 available on its website.

25 March 2020

BSI assists PPE manufacturers with conformity assessments and market surveillance procedures amidst COVID-19 pandemic >

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Commission has published a recommendation on conformity assessment and market surveillance procedures for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

25 March 2020

BSI supports government’s RMVS initiative >

BSI is in full support of the government’s Rapidly Manufactured Ventilator System (RMVS) initiative and we have directly engaged in the approach as it is defined. We are supporting the manufacturing initiative by working with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to supply technical expertise and potentially manufacturing site audits.

17 March 2020

New BSI Report Finds Widespread Protest and Climate Change Among Key Drivers of Global Supply Chain Disruption >

Today, BSI, the business improvement company, unveiled its Supply Chain Risk Insights 2020 Report that identifies the trends and associated risks impacting global supply chains in the year ahead. The report is powered by BSI’s Supply Chain Risk Exposure Evaluation Network (SCREEN) tool, a web-based, comprehensive global supply chain intelligence system.

16 March 2020

Expert advice on remote working from BSI's Cyber Security and Information Resilience team >

As more and more businesses start to implement remote working practices, BSI's Cyber Security and Information Resilience team has issued expert advice to businesses and workers as to how to best prepare for working away from their offices efficiently and securely. While different businesses across the UK will have different policies and protocols, the top 10 tips below covers everything from protecting confidential business information and using Wi-Fi to effective working patterns and environments while at home.

04 March 2020

Employee mental and physical illness now biggest disruption to global businesses >

Poor employee health has become the most frequent cause of disruption to businesses globally, overtaking cyber-attacks for the first time since 2014. This is according to the latest global survey of 665 businesses by the BCI and BSI (British Standards Institution) in their ninth annual Horizon Scan Report.

BSI unveils new safety requirements to help ensure safe trials and tests of automated vehicles >

BSI, in its role as the UK’s National Standards Body, has released PAS 1881 Assuring safety of automated vehicle trials and testing. The specification sets out minimum requirements for managing safety during development testing and when trialling automated vehicles, such as driverless cars, both on and off public roads.

25 February 2020

BSI launches the first tattooing standard >

BSI, the business improvement company, publishes the first safety standard for tattooing. The new voluntary standard, BS EN 17169 Tattooing. Safe and hygienic practice, will provide tattooists, industry and government regulators with guidelines to promote safety of both the tattooist and their clients.

20 February 2020

Warning: Fake Certificate for Medical Face Masks >

BSI has been notified that a number of manufacturers are selling medical face masks - and other PPE for healthcare applications - on the back of false certificates.

13 February 2020

BSI raises £15,000 for Crisis to help move people out of homelessness >

BSI, the business improvement company has raised around £15,000 for Crisis, the national charity for homeless people. BSI started working with Crisis in September 2019 donating £10 for every delegate training course booked over a three-month period, which raised £12,820 for Crisis.

05 February 2020

BSI calls attention to reputational impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions >

BSI, the business improvement company, is calling on organizations to make changes to their sustainability strategy to shore up reputational risk.

20 January 2020

BSI predicts the cybersecurity trends of 2020 >

BSI’s global centre of excellence for Cybersecurity and Information Resilience has forecast five key trends across the cybersecurity landscape for 2020.

20 January 2020

BSI launches first sustainable finance guide setting standards for financial institutions to align to global sustainability challenges >

In collaboration with the financial services industry and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), BSI launches the first PAS of its Sustainable Finance Standardization Programme to help define globally applicable standards for the finance sector.

Media essentials

Essentials to find out more about BSI's public profile.

Standards and information

Auditing, certification and training

Consulting practices

Industry reports, research and news

Blogs

Press releases

View news articles by year:

Media essentials

BSI corporate overview >

Fast facts and figures >

Meet the BSI spokespeople >

Media FAQs >

Digital Security. Building a strategic response to cyber risk >