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.
Getting in the door
02 Jun 2009
Topics: BS 8300
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. It has recently been updated to expand its remit and help remove restrictions to disabled users. The standard also offers guidance on assessing the accessibility and usability of existing buildings and, where practicable, ways in which access might be improved. The extent to which the recommendations apply to listed and historic buildings is determined on a case by case basis.
The standard applies to buildings involved in transport, industrial, administrative and commercial activities, health and welfare, refreshment, entertainment and recreation. It also covers religious buildings, educational, cultural and scientific centres, and dwellings and other residential buildings (including hostels, hotels, residential clubs, university and college halls of residence, nursing homes and prisons). BS 8300:2009 sets the stage for more accessible buildings for all.
For more information on BS 8300:2009, visit www.bsigroup.com/bs8300
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.
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.
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.
Anglian Building Products (ABP), the business-to-business division of Anglian Windows Ltd, has achieved certification to ISO 14001 Environmental management systems following an audit by BSI.
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: This year marks the 25th anniversary of data protection regulation in the UK. Does the fact that such legislation exists mean that standards do not have a big role to play in the data protection puzzle?
First of all, the fact that there is legislation in place does not mean standards do not have a role to play. Quite the contrary: in many cases, standards offer a framework for businesses to better prepare and comply with legislation.
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