Since the result of the EU referendum BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has worked hard to ensure that certain key messages - about how standards support trade, growth and productivity - are given full weight in the ongoing discussions and negotiations over what form Brexit should take.

BSI maintains the UK’s national standards body membership of the three European standardization organizations (ESOs): CEN, CENELEC and ETSI. CEN and CENELEC coordinate the work of 34 member countries, including all of the 28 present members of the EU, in the making and the dissemination of European Standards.  All three organizations are entirely private bodies, and therefore not part of the EU’s institutional framework, and, in principle, BSI’s continued membership should not be affected by Brexit. Some adjustment to the internal rules of CEN and CENELEC may be necessary to assure this and steps are in hand to bring this about.  There are no such adjustments required in the case of ETSI. 

If the UK does not maintain its full membership of each CEN and CENELEC through BSI, British industry may face increased barriers to trade with the 33 other member countries and British stakeholders may lose their influence over the content of the standards used in those countries and by our own industries in the UK and worldwide.