Energy management: carbon reduction, cost savings and BS EN 16001

02 Jul 2010
Topics: Energy management, BS EN 16001, EN 16001, GHG, Carbon footprint, Environment, ISO 14001, Kitemark®

New legislation is forcing many organizations in the UK to publicly disclose their carbon emissions for the first time. A compulsory cap and trade carbon emissions scheme culminates in the publication of an annual league table detailing the best and worst businesses at delivering energy savings. What is your business doing to sort out its energy management?

A touch of glass

30 Nov 2009
Topics: Windows, Kitemark®

By any reckoning, the "Barlow Shed" in London's St Pancras International was an extraordinary feat of Victorian engineering when the station was first opened in 1868. The vaulted roof making up the bulk of the "Shed" measured 689 feet long by 100 feet high, and its 243-foot span made it the largest enclosed space in the world for years.

Big ideas

30 Nov 2009
Topics: Innovation, Nanotechnology, Biometrics, Knowledge management, Risk management, BS 31100, Carbon footprint, PAS 2050, Regen medicine, Kitemark®

The World Wide Web. The iPhone. Electric cars. Turning ideas - both big and small - into successful real world products and services has brought huge economic and social rewards. John Coutts reports on the ongoing importance of innovation.

Passing the test for 50 years

11 Sep 2009
Topics: Thatcham, Kitemark®, Healthcare, Canada, Doors, CE mark

When BSI's testing facilities set up shop on Maylands Avenue in Hemel Hempstead back in 1959, the Kitemark® 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.

Tackling 2009: beating the storm

30 Jan 2009
Topics: Quality management, ISO 9001, Integrated mgt, PAS 99, Environment, ISO 14001, Health & safety, OHSAS 18001, Six Sigma, Business continuity, BS 25999, Risk management, BS 31100, Kitemark®

It's official: we're in the midst of what some believe could be a prolonged recession. How should businesses respond? Above all, argues Hector Nairn, don't do nothing - and look to standards for undiscovered opportunities.

Procurement pressure

21 Oct 2008
Topics: Procurement, Sustainability, Kitemark®

With mounting economic uncertainty, growing demands for efficiency and tougher government rules on sustainability, procurement managers are under pressure as never before. John Coutts investigates the role that standards play in this high-pressure environment.

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.

After the flood

26 Oct 2007
Topics: Flood, Risk management, Business continuity, Kitemark®

If you think this summer was a washout, just wait until you hear meteorologists ' - and insurers' - projections for future rainfall: winters are going to get wetter. This means that for many homes and businesses, flood risk is on the rise. What should homeowners, companies, insurance firms and the government be doing about it? Scott Payton dives in.

Links in the chain

23 Jul 2007
Topics: Supply chain, Brands, Social accountability, SA8000, Kitemark®, CE mark

No longer a logistics exercise alone, supply chain management now has an ethical and social dimension.

Another satisfied customer?

23 Jul 2007
Topics: Customer service, Automotive, Kitemark®, PAS 80

Help is at hand for hard-pressed consumers fed up with poor service from energy companies, banks, shops, call centres and garages.

Flying high

14 Feb 2007
Topics: Kitemark®, Automotive, Brands

Recognized, trusted and true - 100 years on, the Kitemark® continues to reassure consumers. Jo Russell takes a look at some well-deserved results.

Beyond repair

14 Feb 2007
Topics: Automotive, PAS 125, Kitemark®, Thatcham

The complexities involved in crash repair and changing manufacturing practices are putting even more pressure on vehicle body repair companies to raise their game. The new Thatcham BSI Kitemark® scheme aims to help. John Coutts reports.

Driving standards

14 Feb 2007
Topics: Automotive, PAS 125, Kitemark®, Thatcham

Automotive authority Quentin Willson on the need for higher standards in the UK's vehicle body shop repair industry.

A little bit extra for Kitemark® bodyshops and garages

30 Nov 2009
Topics: Automotive, Thatcham, Kitemark®

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.

Locking down the Kitemark®

30 Nov 2009
Topics: Kitemark®, Security

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.

The Thatcham BSI Kitemark® scheme

11 Sep 2009
Topics: Thatcham, Kitemark®

In an ongoing effort to make motorists more aware of the importance of using Kitemark® crash repairers, the consumer launch of the Thatcham BSI Kitemark scheme took place before an enthusiastic audience in June 2009.

In case of emergency

02 Jun 2009
Topics: Fire, Kitemark®

Emergency lighting is one of those things that you will hopefully never need, but if you do, it better work. "Escape lighting" ensures adequate visibility in escape routes from buildings so that people can get out easily and safely, even with a power loss.

Policing the Kitemark: Kent Trading Standards

02 Jun 2009
Topics: Kitemark®

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.

Kitemark.com goes live

02 Jun 2009
Topics: Kitemark®

BSI has launched its much anticipated new website dedicated to the Kitemark quality symbol: Kitemark.com. "To have a Kitemark is no mean achievement and consumers know that," says broadcaster Quentin Willson, who works with BSI to promote quality and safety. "While it is a well-known and trusted symbol around the home, it also appears on a wider range of products and services - from fire extinguishers and glass to window installers or car accident repair shops."

Start your engines

30 Jan 2009
Topics: Automotive, PAS 125, Kitemark®, Thatcham

More than 200 bodyshops in the UK have now achieved the Thatcham BSI Kitemark after Mill Lane Accident Repair Group in Aldershot and D Walton Ltd in Manchester both achieved certification.

Castrol and Kitemark:
spreading the word

21 Oct 2008
Topics: Automotive, PAS 80, Kitemark®

Castrol and BSI Product Services have teamed up for a joint marketing campaign to spread the word about the Kitemark scheme for Garage Services, which ensures that the standards of PAS 80 and the Kitemark are met and maintained.

Fast glass: Kitemark® for Norvik

25 Jul 2008
Topics: Kitemark®

Barnsley based Norvik PVCu Window Systems Ltd has achieved Kitemark certification to BS EN 1279 for its new range of double-glazed sealed units in record time, following assessment from BSI Product Services.

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.

Driving change in the bodyshop industry

25 Jul 2008
Topics: Automotive, PAS 125, Kitemark®, Thatcham

High Wycombe-based Motofix has become the 100th bodyshop to earn certification to the Thatcham BSI Kitemark, having demonstrated that it conforms to Kitemark standards. These include skills, repair methods, equipment and materials. The bodyshop was assessed by BSI inspectors and met stringent benchmarks in order to achieve Kitemark status.

A glass act

25 Jul 2008
Topics: Kitemark®

Elaine Westwood, founder and CEO of The Glassworks - one of the largest glass processors in the Midlands area - was named The Midlands Business person of The Year' 2008 at the inaugural Midlands Business Awards.

After Aftermarket

29 May 2008
Topics: Automotive, PAS 80, Kitemark®

According to a survey by BSI Product Services carried out at the recent Aftermarket Show, 71 per cent of visitors think that all garages should have a Kitemark® , while over half said they would definitely take their car to a Kitemark® garage, given a choice.

Talking shop

28 Jan 2008
Topics: Automotive, PAS 80, Kitemark®

In January, BSI presented its Kitemark® for Garage Services and Thatcham BSI Kitemark® for Body Repair at The Aftermarket Show, which runs alongside Autosport International at the Birmingham NEC. This annual event caters to motorsport and automotive industry professionals, non-trade people actively involved in the sport and motorsport fans. The event attracts approximately 70,000 consumer visitors each year and represented a unique opportunity to get its automotive message across.

Good buys

29 Oct 2007
Topics: Kitemark®

Many local and county councils, architects, utility companies and project managers are specifying Kitemark products at planning stage, to mitigate against risk and maintain consistent quality.

Playing without fire

29 Oct 2007
Topics: Fire, SP203, Kitemark®

BSI is working with organizations across the UK to apply the Kitemark Fire Alarm Systems (BAFE SP203) certification to their contractors. This will help them achieve health and safety compliance, and meet insurance criteria and due diligence requirements.

Kitemark®:
keeping track

25 Oct 2007
Topics: Kitemark®

BSI has always maintained a firm policy of policing the use of the Kitemark. And as its track record demonstrates, it's been worth it.

Sign of the times

23 Jul 2007
Topics: Kitemark®

A Kitemark® scheme for road traffic signs has been launched by BSI Product Services to help manufacturers comply with new European Legislation EN 12899-1.

Be fleet of foot, warns RAC

23 Jul 2007
Topics: Automotive, Kitemark®, PAS 125, Thatcham

Fleet managers picking repair firms risk dangerous repair quality, according to RAC Services

Stamp of approval

23 Jul 2007
Topics: Kitemark®

The Stationery Office (TSO), Britain's largest publisher by output, has earned the Kitemark® for its print and publishing services.

Thatcham BSI Kitemark®:
Update

24 Apr 2007
Topics: Automotive, Kitemark®, PAS 125, Thatcham

The new Thatcham BSI Kitemark® for the vehicle repair industry has been accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Kitemark® toolkit

24 Apr 2007
Topics: Kitemark®

From the end of April 2007, BSI Product Services will be distributing a brand new toolkit to all Kitemark® licensees.

Good news under the bonnet

14 Feb 2007
Topics: Automotive, PAS 80, Kitemark®

The BSI Kitemark® scheme for servicing and repair of vehicles (based on PAS 80) has become the first to be accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Driving quality in crash repair

02 Oct 2006
Topics: Automotive, PAS 125, Kitemark®, Thatcham

BSI is working with specialist research firm Thatcham as well as other stakeholders to raise standards of vehicle body repair through the development of a universal specification and certification scheme.