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.
Passing the test for 50 years
11 Sep 2009
Topics: Thatcham, KitemarkŪ, Healthcare, Canada, Doors, CE mark
When BSI's testing facilities set up shop on Maylands Avenue in Hemel Hempstead back in 1959, the KitemarkŪ was already half a century old. Today, the imposing four-storey building - renamed Kitemark House in 2006 - is the home of the Kitemark, where much of the testing for Kitemark certification takes place.
"When the site first opened, its main focus was testing electrical products for Canadian Standards, headgear such as crash helmets and seatbelts where Kitemark was a compulsory requirement," says Carolyn Conway, customer information executive of BSI. "Since then, we have changed as legislation, the customer and the need for testing has changed. We have moved with the times, in keeping with the different regulations that have come through over the years - we are constantly adapting."
Fifty years ago, there were 25 employees on site - somewhat different to today's workforce of 270.
By virtue of its testing facilities at Hemel Hempstead, BSI is a notified body for 17 EU directives as well as doing Kitemark certification and on-site testing. Its services cover the legal requirements for the CE mark as well as Kitemark certification as a quality mark.
"We simulate what a product will go through during its lifecycle," says Conway. "For example, we test doors, from inserting and turning the key to opening and closing the door over and over again. We have to ask ourselves what these products will go through: what does a crash helmet go through if a person wearing one comes off their motorcycle at high speed? We can simulate it and take it to the limit.
"You have to test things to extremes sometimes," she adds. "For example, we have an environmental chamber where temperatures can range from -30°C to 70°C and 98 per cent humidity. This can be useful for testing products that might be subject to variable environmental effects, such as electrical equipment that is used outside. You want to be sure that this equipment will work even under fairly extreme weather circumstances."
Kitemark continues to evolve with the markets it serves but its integrity and pedigree mean that it delivers the same quality, reassurance and trust as it did over 100 years ago. Since it moved into quality and safety issues in the service sector in 2005, Kitemark certification can now be found on garage servicing and car accident repair, window installation and domestic removals.
"The Kitemark is a quality mark," says Conway. "In addition to doing our own testing, we also do witness testing on-site for clients. We have to make sure that products that carry the Kitemark are being produced to the right standard and that they do what they need to do and are fit for purpose."
Business Standards © 2009. Editorial produced by Caspian Publishing in association with the British Standards Institution. Editorial opinions expressed on are not necessarily those of BSI Group or Caspian Publishing. Neither Caspian Publishing nor BSI Group accept responsibility for advertising or editorial content, nor for that appearing on linked third-party websites. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden without written permission from BSI Group or Caspian Publishing.
BSI is planning an informal free lunchtime roundtable in central London on 10 December 2009 to explore how small businesses and their trade bodies can work more effectively with standards. Places are limited so to register your interest or request more information, please email bsi.survey@bsigroup.com or call +44 (0)20 8996 7750.
Sapphire earns a standards hat-trick
Sapphire Energy Recovery, the waste processing and resource recovery business owned by Lafarge Cement, has achieved certification to three management systems standards (ISO 9001 Quality management, ISO 14001 Environmental management and BS OHSAS 18001 Health and safety management) from BSI. Sapphire is the UK's leading processor of used tyres, and sources and manages the logistics of a range of waste-derived fuels and raw materials for the cement industry.
OCS, an international facilities services group based in the UK, has achieved triple certification to ISO 9001 Quality management, ISO 14001 Environmental management/ and BS OHSAS 18001 Health and safety management with BSI.
Sustainability: more than "green"
Sustainable development means taking into account the social, economic and environmental impacts of business activities, not only for the present but also for future generations.
Gerda, a leading developer and manufacturer of products for the security industry, has become the first company to be awarded the Kitemark for thief-resistant lock assemblies, in line with BS 10621:2007 Thief resistant dual-mode lock assembly.
Question: Can you really measure customer satisfaction?
The simple answer is yes. Two years ago, BSI Management Systems took our customer- focused strategy to the next level by introducing a satisfaction survey for our clients.
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