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.

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.

ISI has recently gained an ISO 9001 quality management systems certification from BSI Americas for the company's operations in San Bruno, California and Whippany, New Jersey. This follows hard on the heels of its first ISO 9001 certification, awarded late last year to the company's offices in Tianjin, China. Now ISI plans to seek certification to the quality standard for its European offices, creating a global certification.

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.

Responsible behaviour

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.

Verifying a green future

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.

Future innovation

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.

Feeding the food chain

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.

Serving up a new direction

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.

Health and information safety

06 May 2008
Topics: Information security, ISO/IEC 27001, Healthcare

Capula Healthcare Ltd (CHL), which provides technology and process improvement services in partnership with public and independent sector healthcare providers, has achieved certification from BSI Management Systems UK to the information security management systems (ISMS) standard ISO/IEC 27001. This is the key security requirement set by NHS Connecting for Health, an agency of the Department of Health.

BSI Management Systems puts BCM in the spotlight

17 Apr 2008
Topics: Business continuity, BS 25999, UAE

At the end of March, BSI Management Systems launched its BS 25999 business continuity management (BCM) service in Abu Dhabi. Coincidentally, on the same day a massive explosion ripped through a warehouse complex in neighbouring Dubai, destroying 80 warehouses.

RAKBANK achieves customer service first

11 Apr 2008
Topics: Customer service, TICSS, UAE

How do you drive forward the success of your business in the highly competitive markets of the 21st century? One solution is undoubtedly through superlative customer service.

Cast the certification date in concrete

02 Apr 2008
Topics: Quality management, ISO 9001, Environment, ISO 14001, Health & safety, OHSAS 18001, Integrated mgt, PAS 99, Qatar

In a first for any company in the Middle East, the world's largest operating gas-to-liquids (GTL) company - Oryx GTL, located in Ras Laffan, Qatar - has achieved simultaneous registration to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 and PAS 99 with BSI Management Systems.

Engineering industry first in Japan

20 Mar 2008
Topics: Information security, ISO/IEC 27001, Japan

Japan's leading engineering and construction firm, Chiyoda Corporation, has been certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2005 Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) by BSI Management Systems Japan. This is the first company in Japan's engineering industry to acquire companywide certification.

Medical matters

17 Mar 2008
Topics: Medical devices, ISO 13485, Healthcare, Quality management, ISO 9001, USA

Reglera, a regulatory and quality consulting company, has achieved certification to ISO 13485:2003 Medical Devices and ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems by BSI.

Quality control in Cabot Financial

07 Mar 2008
Topics: Quality management, ISO 9001

Cabot Financial Group, market leader in consumer debt purchase in the UK, has achieved certification to the Quality Management Systems (QMS) standard ISO 9001:2000 from BSI.

Santa Clara Valley Water District: The Water's Fine

04 Mar 2008
Topics: Quality management, ISO 9001, Environment, ISO 14001, USA

Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) of San Jose California has become the first water district in the US to have been awarded certifications to both ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004.

Securing your assets

28 Feb 2008
Topics: Information security, ISO/IEC 27001

Gemserv, a consultancy that advises on, defines and implements regulatory structures and governance frameworks for liberalising energy markets, recently achieved certification from BSI to ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS).

Accenture Philippines keeps a close eye on information security

04 Feb 2008
Topics: Information security, ISO/IEC 27001, Philippines, China

Accenture Delivery Center in the Philippines recently achieved certification to ISO/IEC 27001 - the international standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) - for its Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) operations.

Survive and prosper

28 Jan 2008
Topics: Quality management, ISO 9001

If you're looking for sustained business success, look no further than ISO 9001 argue the standard's supporters. We review the evidence.

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A measured response to climate change

In order to participate in the European Union Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS), organizations must comply with UK Climate Change Agreement obligations and better manage their energy management and minimize their carbon footprint.

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ReGenMed: tomorrow's medicine today

In February, BSI hosted the Regenerative Medicine Forum - "Supporting UK Innovation in Regenerative Medicine through Standardization" - in London, inviting some of the biggest names in the field to discuss the development of a vibrant regenerative medicine industry.

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BS 31100: deadline passed

The first deadline date for comments on the draft of BS 31100 Code of practice for risk management has passed. The standard is intended to help organizations understand, develop, implement and maintain risk management plans. It establishes the principles and terminology for risk management, and gives recommendations for its model, framework, process and implementation. The revised draft is due for further public comment in February 2008.

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Trial and fewer errors

TDG, one of Europe's leading supply chain management companies, became the first logistics company in the world to achieve certification to BS 25999 Business Continuity Management (BCM) in November 2007, following a review of its BCM approach during the first quarter of 2007.

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A quietly cultured revolution

Collections Trust (formerly MDA) is working with BSI British Standards to create a new Publicly Available Specification (PAS) for the management of cultural collections.

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Question: What impact do you think BCM could have on business insurance in the future?

It is essential that any business suffering a disaster is able to continue as near normal trading in the shortest possible time period to survive. To achieve this, an organization should implement a comprehensive well-tested business continuity plan (BCP) as a first step. Insurance should be viewed as an extension to the BCP process, not an alternative.

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