What is the national standards body?

BSI shares knowledge, fosters innovation and instils best practice as the UK's national standards body

Find out more about our role as the UK national standards body.

Find out more about our role as the UK national standards body.
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BSI shares knowledge, fosters innovation and instils best practice as the UK's national standards body

The role of BSI as the UK national standards body

BSI is the UK's national standards body (NSB) and the first national standards body to be created. 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.

Our role is to help improve the quality and safety of products, services and systems by enabling the creation of standards and encouraging their use.

We publish over 3,100 standards annually, 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.

Four areas of purpose

  • Support government policy
  • Support UK business and industry
  • Support UK education
  • Support UK consumer rights and safety

What makes up the NSB?

Royal Charter

BSI is a private company incorporated by Royal Charter, first awarded (to the British Engineering Standards Association) in 1929. Royal Charters were first awarded in the 13th century and are granted by the British sovereign on the advice of the UK Privy Council.

Learn more about BSI’s Royal Charter >

Memorandum of Understanding

BSI is recognized as the UK national standards body (NSB) by the UK Government. This status is formally codified in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United Kingdom Government and the British Standards Institution in respect of its activities as the United Kingdom’s national standards body.

Learn more about the MoU >

The Standards Policy team

The NSB is under the responsibility of BSI’s Director-General of Standards and is administered within the Standards Policy team. It receives some funding from the UK Government in recognition of work undertaken in the public interest. 

Learn more about the Policy team >

Standards Policy and Strategy Committee

The Standards Policy and Strategy Committee (SPSC) is appointed by and ultimately reports to the BSI Board. Being the focal point for BSI’s NSB stakeholder views, the SPSC informs and assists the development of BSI’s strategic direction and policy for national, European and international standards. 

Find out more about the SPSC and the Board Committees >

Electrotechnical Standardization Strategic Advisory Council

The Electrotechnical Standardization Strategic Advisory Council (ESSAC) will provide BSI with high level strategic policy advice and guidance in the UK electrotechnical industry. The committee will also look at areas of emerging technology in the electrotechnical sector and identify possible standardization linkages with non-electrotechnical sectors.

Find out more about the ESSAC >

UK Government Funding

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is responsible for UK government policy on standardization and BSI receives funding from BEIS in respect of its role as the UK NSB. Recognizing the importance of the work we do and that some aspects are not self-funding, BEIS fund specific activity in three main areas: 

  • Influence and Leadership – helping to support the infrastructure necessary for the UK to participate in international standardization and giving His Majesty’s Government (HMG) access to standards
  • Standards Development – covering activities relating to developing standards content
  • Participation in Standardization – enabling UK participants in international standards work by contributing towards their travel costs

Each year, we produce a report which covers in detail how this money is spent. Download BSI's annual report to the UK Government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the use of BEIS funding.

Learn more >

Brexit

Keep up to date with how Brexit will affect different roles of the national standards body.

Find out more >

Get involved

There are many ways you could get involved with us; suggest an idea for a new standard, join one of our committee's or comment on a draft publication.

Find out more >