Role of the NSB
We work across many industries, businesses, governments and consumers to develop standards. Learn more about BSI’s role as the UK national standards body.
The world's first national standards body
The world's first national standards body
BSI is appointed by the UK Government as the national standards body, holds the Royal Charter, and represents UK interests at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the European Standards Organizations (CEN, CENELEC and ETSI). Formed in 1901, BSI was the world’s first national standards body.
Our role as the UK NSB is to help improve the quality and safety of products, services and systems by enabling the creation of standards and encouraging their use. We represent UK economic and social interests across all European and international standards organizations and in the development of business information solutions for British organizations of all sizes and sectors.
We publish over 3,100 standards each year, underpinned by a collaborative approach, engaging with industry experts, government bodies, trade associations, businesses of all sizes and consumers to develop standards that reflect good business practice, protect consumers and facilitate international trade.