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.
Kitemark® for furniture removers
25 Jul 2008
Topics: PAS 126, Kitemark®
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. The Publicly Available Specification (PAS) was designed to established a minimum level of service and performance in organizations dealing with the moving of office or business equipment, furniture and goods as a service to commercial entities and other organizations. Companies that pass an audit of their services against the standards set out in PAS 126 are eligible for Kitemark certification. PAS 126 covers all forms of such service, no matter what means of transport and handling is being used, or the type of property being moved, and whatever the type of customer organization. It includes office-based property as well as industrial and manufacturing, government body or others.
The guidance in the PAS is intended to help customers identify and compare the services offered by companies. Companies that have earned the Kitemark will provide a level of reassurance for customers and, it is hoped, lead to more consistent service levels across the industry.
For more information: www.bsigroup.com/july08removals
Business Standards © 2007. 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.
According to UK law, public buildings need to be accessible to all. Factors such as disabilities must be taken into account and adjustments made for existing buildings. Access for those with disabilities must be considered for structures being designed or improved, and when planning improvements to existing buildings. BS 8300:2009 Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people. Code of practice gives recommendations for the design of new buildings and their access points to meet the needs of disabled people.
ISO 9004: dispatches from Tokyo
In February 2009, the 26th meeting of ISO/TC 176 was held at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo, Japan.
On the agenda was the revision of ISO 9004, which provides guidance on how organizations can continually improve their quality management system. The standard, which is now titled Managing for the sustained success of an organization - A quality management approach, is nearing completion and many comments were reviewed during the meeting.
Policing the Kitemark: Kent Trading Standards
Late in 2008, Kent Trading Standards (KTS) successfully prosecuted the UK retailer of a particular brand of unsafe carbon monoxide detectors, following a lengthy investigation. As part of its case, KTS was able to prosecute the company for misuse of the BSI Kitemark symbol, a first of its kind in the UK. The retailer was fined £65,000 with more than £5,000 in costs, representing the largest financial penalty ever secured by KTS.
Lockheed Martin UK - INSYS has achieved certification toBS OHSAS 18001 Occupational health and safety management systems. Certification was achieved following an independent assessment by BSI, against a set of challenging requirements. During a year-long effort, workplace hazards were identified and addressed; and operating procedures were reviewed and updated, with employees receiving tailored training on health and safety disciplines.
BSI has published a new SME guide to standardization, Good for Business: The small business guide to standards. It was created to introduce small businesses to British and international standards, and to showcase organizations benefiting from standardization.
Question: Are health and safety issues at risk of being lost in the current financial turmoil?
When business isn't going well - whether it's due to a recession or simply because a company is going through a slow patch - there is a temptation to cut costs by cutting corners. Instead of treating an issue like product and consumer safety as vital to a organization's growth and reputation, it can become just another expense or regulatory requirement.
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