BUSINESS STANDARDS
is the quarterly magazine of BSI Group, highlighting the vital role that standards play in today's business environment. Regular features include interviews with leading business figures, as well as news on the latest developments in management systems and standards.
City of Kitchener gets to grips with the environment
19 Aug 2008
Topics: Environment, ISO 14001, Canada
When the city of Kitchener, in the Canadian province of Ontario, decided to act on its air quality, it knew what to do. In its environmental committee's 2006 report Air Quality in Kitchener, it recognized that local governments can play a significant role in addressing air quality, with some regulatory authority over many direct and indirect sources of air pollution.
Examples include defining land use, zoning and transportation policy, and in Kitchener's case, providing services for acquisition, maintenance, repair and disposal of specialized small, medium and heavy duty trucks and equipment used in municipal operations.
Eureka! - Sri Lanka gains its first ISO/IEC 20000 certification
14 Aug 2008
Topics: IT service mgt, ISO/IEC 20000, ITIL, Sri Lanka
When does gaining an international management systems standard become of national significance? Perhaps in the case of Eureka Technology Partners, a Sri Lankan technology company, which has gained certification to ISO/IEC 20000 through BSI Management Systems.
Microsoft Global Foundation Services watches its assets
08 Aug 2008
Topics: Information security, ISO/IEC 27001, USA
Microsoft Global Foundation Services (GFS) has achieved certification to ISO/IEC 27001:2005, the information security standard - the first major online service provider to do so.
CompuCom Systems secures ISO/IEC 20000 registration
04 Aug 2008
Topics: IT service mgt, ISO/IEC 20000, ITIL, USA
What do you do when you're a leading IT outsourcing company that wants to demonstrate pre-eminent commitment to providing best-in-class IT infrastructure management?
Do you know where your kids are surfing?
25 Jul 2008
Topics: Internet safety, PAS 74, Kitemark®
John Coutts explains how a new initiative by Ofcom and the Home Office, in association with BSI, is helping to safeguard children on the net.
25 Jul 2008
Topics: Ethical trading, Ethics, CSR, Social accountability, SA8000, Sedex
Will Stephens, Tesco's ethical trading co-ordinator for food, explains to Ben Schiller why one of the world's largest retail operations feels compelled to trade ethically.
25 Jul 2008
Topics: Carbon footprint, CFV, GHG, Environment, Carbon market
Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, highlights the climate of change facing businesses of all sizes today.
25 Jul 2008
Topics: Medical devices, Healthcare
While standards have typically focused on commonality and creating a universally agreed set of rules and principles, from time to time a standard is needed that ensures things stay very distinct indeed.
25 Jul 2008
Topics: Risk management, BS 31100, Business continuity, BS 25999
With the global and UK economies headed for uncertain times, the need for risk management is at an all time high, writes Oliver Cann.
BSI launches new business continuity website
17 Jul 2008
Topics: Business continuity, BS 25999
BSI has launched a comprehensive website to help organizations of all kinds deal with business disruptions from unexpected events.
Verizon Business joins BSI's Associate Consultant Programme (ACP) for BS 25999
09 Jul 2008
Topics: Business continuity, BS 25999, USA
Verizon Business has become the first North American-based global communications provider to be accepted into BSI's Associate Consultant Programme (ACP) for BS 25999 Business continuity management.
Image Solutions focuses on quality across the organization
02 Jul 2008
Topics: Quality management, ISO 9001, USA, China
It seems that the desire to demonstrate that you are embracing quality management practices within your organization can be infectious. That certainly appears to be the case with ISI, which is headquartered in New Jersey, USA.
Business continuity confirmed for Accenture in India
27 Jun 2008
Topics: Business continuity, BS 25999, India
"Our focus on business continuity through the use of consistent processes, metrics and methodologies enables us to provide a secure environment for delivering high-quality services to our clients."
Global business continuity management accreditation for BSI
20 Jun 2008
Topics: Business continuity, BS 25999
BSI Management Systems has become one of the first organizations to be independently accredited to deliver global certification against BS 25999 Business Continuity Management. BSI's accreditation has been granted by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service), the globally recognized accreditation body.
Numerex: information in safe hands
03 Jun 2008
Topics: Information security, ISO/IEC 27001, USA
In January 2008, Numerex Corp became the first machine-to-machine (M2M) information security provider in North America to earn certification ISO/IEC 27001:2005, the international standard for information security, ensuring data confidentially, integrity and availability. Numerex Corp provides solutions and network services for data communications between machines.
28 May 2008
Topics: CSR, Social accountability, SA8000
We live in a world where oil companies push alternative energy and fast food multinationals promote exercise for kids. Does this mean that all is well with corporate social responsibility (CSR)? Hector Nairn reviews the evidence.
28 May 2008
Topics: Carbon footprint, CFV, GHG, Environment, Carbon market
With the publication of BSI's White Paper on Carbon Footprinting and the launch of its Carbon Footprint Verification scheme, Hector Nairn weighs the benefits to business of opting for voluntary emissions management and verification.
28 May 2008
Topics: Innovation, Design management
Innovation may not be appropriate for every business. But for many, managing innovation is fundamentally important to their bottom line - if not their survival. The challenge is to extend innovation beyond technical design and product development.
28 May 2008
Topics: Food safety, ISO 22000, Supply chain, BRC, Social accountability, SA8000, Sedex
A growing global marketplace leaves the door open for new opportunities but it also demands greater assurances and security along the supply chain - especially when it comes to sensitive products like the food we eat. John Coutts examines the role that standards can play in this complex environment.
28 May 2008
Topics: Services directive, Customer service, CE mark
New EU directives continue to challenge businesses in the UK. In the case of the services industry, however, there's a shake-up in the pipeline that could mean big business for all. John Coutts reports.
Lockheed Martin Coherent Technologies sees the benefits of AS9100
15 May 2008
Topics: Aerospace, AS9100, USA
In a move designed to demonstrate its unswerving commitment to quality and reliability, Lockheed Martin Coherent Technologies (LMCT) was recently certified to the AS9100 standard by BSI Management Systems.
BSI British Standards has launched a new online standards portal, which will provide Chinese industry stakeholders and policy officials with access to international standards information and technical regulations. With this launch, British Standards continues to make inroads into the world's second largest economy.
Kitemark® for furniture removers
Ever had to move office? Ever struggled with your moving company and wished there was a better way to find a reliable supplier? There is an answer: BSI Product Services, working with the British Association of Removers (BAR), has published PAS 126:2008, covering commercial furniture removal activities.
Audatex UK, a leading provider of insurance claims management solutions, has become the first company in the world to simultaneously attain certification to ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management and BS 25999 Business Continuity Management from BSI Management Systems.
Are you "Fit to supply" 2012 Olympic Games?
Business Link, the support and networking agency funded primarily by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), is working with BSI to help companies in their goal to win contracts for the 2012 Olympic Games.
BSI British Standards and the independent authority Public Concern at Work have launched PAS 1998:2008, new guidance for organizations on whistleblowing arrangements. The launch marked the tenth anniversary of the Public Interest Disclosure Act (2 July 2008), itself recognized as an international benchmark on the subject.
Question: Can standards really help minimize the need for regulation?
Regulation and legislation keep business on a level playing field and help mitigate against risk, as was acknowledged by The Hampton Review in 2005.
Have a standards-related question for BSI or a comment on the website? We'll find the right person to answer.
