10/10/2018
Today we are holding the latest of BSI’s public forums to keep industry, consumers and government fully informed about the impact that leaving the EU could have on standards and how the UK will continue to influence the international standards that underpin the UK economy. The subject of industry standards has become increasingly high profile as people rightly worry about the impact of Brexit on the safety and quality of goods and services on the market.
BSI is responsible for all 37,000 British Standards, 85% of which are now international and European. As with the international standards organisations ISO and IEC where BSI is the UK member, the UK also plays a major role in the regional standards organisations, CEN and CENELEC. These member associations are not EU agencies and provide a platform for 34 European countries to develop industry standards, either based on international standards or ‘home-grown’ where there is no international standard, that are then adopted as national standards in each country.
This standards system has simplified the market structure for industry and consumers alike, streamlining the definition of what good looks like and increasing global opportunities for trade. BSI’s message has been constant throughout. UK manufacturing’s influence on international standards must remain strong after Brexit. Consumers, environmental and labour representatives must be able to influence the standards that affect them.
The UK will continue as a member of CEN and CENELEC and continue to shape and use the European standards that add to the ISO and IEC standards in the national catalogue. Joining me at the event will be Stephen Phipson, CEO of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, who will give an insight into the political landscape and the challenges that business, manufacturers and SMEs need to maintain their trade and investment links with Europe.
We will explore the opportunities that Brexit brings to enhance our trade with countries outside the European region, building on BSI’s close relations with China, USA and other countries across Asia and the Gulf States in particular. We will continue to build on this great legacy with new initiatives like our recently announced Commonwealth Standards Network, which will help Commonwealth countries use international standards to increase their global trade opportunities.
The event is fully booked but we are producing a video which will show the key highlights of the topics discussed.
