BSI Brexit and Standards Position Statement

Brexit and Standards Position Statement

Since the UK Referendum vote to leave the EU in June 2016, BSI, in its capacity as the UK’s National Standards Body, has consulted its members and stakeholders about the possible implications of Brexit for International Standards.

As a result, BSI has published its Brexit Position Statement to reaffirm continuity to provide UK experts with the standards development framework to support trade in the UK, across Europe and globally. BSI’s stakeholders have confirmed their clear view that BSI should remain a full member of the European Standards Organizations.

The Brexit Position Statement sets out the eight key principles on which their position is based, namely:

  1. Standards provide a passport to trade.
  2. The European standards system has simplified the market structure in Europe through the use of the single national standard model across 34 countries in the region.
  3. The European standards system is neither owned by nor is it an agency of the European Union.
  4. The UK has significant influence in the development of European standards.
  5. Maintaining full UK membership of CEN and CENELEC is important to the success of business in Europe post-Brexit.
  6. Maintaining full CEN and CENELEC membership also brings benefits to consumers and other public interest groups.

These principles are supported by statements from a range of BSI’s stakeholders, including industry associations and individual companies, consumer groups, users of standards and professional institutions.

A copy of the BSI Brexit and Standards Position Statement can be freely downloaded here.

ACTION POINTS

  1. If your business considers itself to be a stakeholder in International Standards, such as a user of ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 then you should obtain a copy of BSI’s Brexit Position Statement.
  2. Consider the risk and opportunities that may affect your business in relation to the issues presented in BSI’s Position Statement.
  3. Review the status of BSI and International Standards development during the period to 30 March 2019 (the withdrawal date), the EU proposed transition period until 31 December 2020 & in post-transition phase.
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