BSI

Implementing quality systems

Introduction

‘Quality’ has nothing to do with what something costs. A quality material, product or process is one that meets the needs of customers. This also applies to a service or a system.

BSI

BSI stands for the British Standards Institution. It helps firms to produce to a high quality. It was the world’s first national standards body. It is the best known worldwide. There are around 20,000 current standards. These are decided by over 1000 committees of experts. Standards are regularly reviewed to make sure they are up to date. BSI is a global organisation and offers a wide range of services. These include product testing and the issue of certificates.

Why standards?

Consumers want standards as they are a guarantee that something is safe to use and can be relied on. Standards ensure that items are fit for the purpose for which they are bought. For instance, it would be silly if some CDs were bigger then others. The BSI Kitemark shows that a product has passed a quality test by meeting a standard. It is found on a wide range of products.

People who make and sell products want standards because they:

• Provide good selling points.

• Protect against poor rivals who could damage the reputation of an industry.

• Provide a benchmark that can both be used to explain the nature of a product and to show how it can be improved.

• Make it easier and cheaper to produce and sell things in the UK and abroad.

As well as British Standards (BS) there are also European Standards (ENs) and International Standards (ISOs).

Quality systems

BSI helps firms to develop management systems to meet ISO 9001. This is the standard for quality management. It shows that the firm is customer focussed. It also requires the firm to keep on improving. Businesses must first carry out market research to see what customers want. They also find out what customers like about the current service. They must plan to improve systems. They measure and record how well systems run. Top managers have to commit to the system. The business has to register with a certification body (like BSI).

Gains from ISO 9001

Working with BSI, firms gain from reaching ISO 9001. Gains include:

• Making sure they meet what the law requires.

• Winning the trust of suppliers and customers.

• Having satisfied customers.

• Improving the way the business is managed.

• Bringing down costs and making better use of time.

• Being known for being honest.

Conclusion

BSI makes sure that a product or service is a quality one. It helps British firms to be better at meeting customer needs and to compete better.