About BSI
BSI is the business standards company that helps organizations all over the world make excellence a habit. For more than a century we have been challenging mediocrity and complacency to help embed excellence into the way people and products work. That means showing businesses how to improve performance, reduce risk and achieve sustainable growth. As a global leader in helping organizations improve, our clients range from high profile brands to small, local companies in 172 countries worldwide.
BSI History
1901 – 1914 In the beginning
Formed in 1901 by Sir John Wolfe-Barry – the man who designed London’s Tower Bridge – BSI was the world’s first National Standards Body. The original BSI committee met for the first time on the day Queen Victoria died – 22 January 1901. One of the first standards it went on to publish related to steel sections for tramways.
The BSI Kitemark was first registered by BSI on 12 June 1903 – the same year in which Harley Davidson, Crayola crayons and the Tour de France were born. Originally known as the British Standard Mark, it has grown into one of Britain’s most important and most recognized consumer quality marks.
1914 – 1945 Standardization grows
During the 1920s, standardization spread to Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Interest was also developing in the USA and Germany.
1946 – 1975 International consolidation and consumer concerns
Standards were published for subjects such as checking air pollution, nuclear energy, safety colours for use in industry, schools and office furniture and the carrying of live animals by air.
1975 – 2000 Management systems standards
During this period, BSI helped shape many of the world’s management systems standards, including the three most widely adopted for quality, the environment and health and safety. BSI also began its international expansion.
2000 – Present BSI significantly increases its global footprint and service offering
BSI has played a leading role in developing a new generation of standards to help organizations become better governed and more responsible such as anti-bribery, organizational governance and asset management. BSI has also increased collaboration with experts in new fields such as smart cities, nanotechnologies, cell therapy and Building Information Modelling (BIM).
BSI invested in new business areas, new offices and formed new partnerships: