is the online magazine of BSI Group, highlighting the vital role that standards play in today's business environment by helping organizations improve quality, save money, reduce risk and be more sustainable. Features include interviews with leading business figures, as well as news on the latest developments in management systems, standards, testing, healthcare and certification.
BS 25999 for Scottish Borders Council
30 Jan 2009
Topics: BS 25999, Business continuity
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has become the first local authority in the UK to achieve certification to BS 25999, the British Standard for business continuity management (BCM). Certification followed an audit by BSI Management Systems UK in which it was confirmed that SBC has robust plans in place to continue its essential operations in the event of any eventuality, from a minor incident to a major disaster.
"This standard gives local people the assurance that SBC complies with business continuity management best practice - giving us the best chance of continuing to run our services effectively in the face of disruption," says Alan Bowman, head of financial administration at SBC.
"We provide essential services to people throughout the Borders, so it's essential that we have these plans in place to ensure that we have a tried and tested method of continuing to operate no matter what the outside world throws at us," adds convener Alasdair Hutton, who chairs the audit committee responsible for risk management.
According to Julian Thrussell, product marketing manager, BSI Management Systems UK, "In addition, any organization that can demonstrate an effective business continuity plan will have a competitive advantage."
For more information on BCM: www.bsigroup.com/jan09bcm
Visit BSI's new BCM website: www.TalkingBusinessContinuity.com
Business Standards © 2010. 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.
Integra ICT Hits environmental high
Integra ICT, the Bedfordshire-based telecoms provider, has achieved certification to ISO 14001 Environmental management from BSI.
How do you put a price on a brand? An international standard in the making will provide a consistent, reliable approach to brand valuation.
A little bit extra for Kitemark® bodyshops and garages
It's all well and good for an automotive bodyshop to earn the Thatcham BSI Kitemark® for Vehicle Body Repair, but it won't have as much impact if potential clients don't know about it. As a consequence, BSI decided to offer an Extras marketing toolkit to bodyshops and garages that have earned the Kitemark.
As part of its evolving governance, risk and compliance strategy, BSI has acquired the Supply Chain Security Division of First Advantage Corporation.
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.
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.
