Our Royal Charter

BSI is a private company incorporated by the British Royal Charter, first awarded (to the British Engineering Standards Association) in 1929.

As BSI has grown and evolved our Royal Charter has been amended several times to reflect the magnitude and importance of the work we do nationally and internationally across industries to facilitate innovation, trade and consumer groups. 

The Royal Charter is a prestigious instrument of incorporation granted by the British sovereign on the advice of the UK Privy Council which awards independent legal personality, defines its objectives, constitution and powers to govern its own affairs, and reflects the high status of that body.

It does not, to any great extent, impose specific duties or responsibilities on the company. 

Royal Charters have a history which dates back to the 13th Century and are granted by the British sovereign on the advice of the UK Privy Council.

Today, though they are still occasionally granted to cities, new Charters are normally reserved for bodies that work in the public interest. These organizations include professional institutions and charities who can demonstrate pre-eminence, stability and permanence in their particular field. 

BSI’s Royal Charter is essentially an enabling document that sets out our purpose and defines in broad terms our range of activities, including our functions as the UK's national standards body, as well as our ability to offer global accredited training, testing and certification services in addition to advisory consulting services. Read our full Royal Charter.

The BSI Royal Charter is supplemented by our bye-laws which detail some aspects of how BSI must be run. They cover matters such as membership, the conduct of General Meetings and the composition of the Board.