Our history

We’ve been helping organizations to improve for more than a century. In fact, it was Sir John Wolfe-Barry, the designer of London’s Tower Bridge, who called our first meeting. We’ve been helping organizations to improve for more than a century. In fact, it was Sir John Wolfe-Barry, the designer of London’s Tower Bridge, who called our first meeting.
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About BSI

British Standards Institution ("BSI") is the business standards company that helps organisations all over the world make excellence a habit. For more than a century, we have been challenging mediocrity and complacency to help embed excellence into the way people and products work. That means showing businesses how to improve performance, reduce risks, and achieve sustainable growth. As a global leader in helping organisations improve, our clients range from high-profile brands to small, local companies in 182 countries worldwide.

Our people 

Our global strength is built on the experience, skills and sheer enthusiasm of our tutors, client managers, and senior business leaders. They all understand how to make excellence a habit.

Our clients

In 150 countries, at more than 90,000 sites, we work with thousands of organisations, from the world's largest and most successful brands to local small businesses. Read their stories and find out how you can benefit as well.


Our partners

We have many varied partners. These include international standards bodies, such as ISO, external consultants who help our clients and professional affiliations. 

Our members

We work with 9,000 committee members who help us shape best practice codes and standards. Our subscribing members benefit from this work with their commitment to achieving standards of excellence. 


UK National Standards Body

Our role as the UK National Standards Body reaches across the international standards community. You can get involved by helping to develop standards relevant to your industry, commenting on draft standards or becoming a consumer representative.

Our Royal Charter

We were awarded our Royal Charter in 1929. It sets out what we do and why we do it – allowing us to be transparent about our purpose. 


Governance

We are transparent about the way we run our business and we follow best practices when it comes to corporate governance. Our board is made up of predominantly non-executive directors who bring wide experience and independence.

Social Responsibility

Being socially responsible is about being accountable for the impacts of our decisions and activities on society and the environment through transparent and ethical behaviour.

Financial information 

Have a look at our recent annual reports to see how and why our revenue and profits are increasing as more and more organisations recognise the value of working with us. 

Our history

We were there at the birth of the standards movement, and have helped shape it ever since, driving businesses globally to perform to the best of their ability. 


Our accreditation

We have been assessed against internationally recognised standards and operate to the highest levels of quality and service. We are accredited by 20 local and international bodies.