Latest BSI position paper on standards and Brexit

19 Sep 2018

Scott Steedman from the BSI joined the first meeting of the EURIS European Network in August 2018. When discussion turned to the (then forthcoming) White Paper, he said post publication the BSI would draft a short note on standards, to clarify any text in the White Paper and explain what the Government really meant (in case this was not clear).

The BSI have now drafted their paper on standards and the White Paper – please click here to download a copy.

Of particular interest are the following paragraphs:

The White Paper has a specific section on standards, where it says, “the British Standards Institution (BSI) would retain its ability to apply the ‘single standard model’ – so that where a voluntary European standard is used to support EU rules, the BSI could not put forward any competing national standards”.

This clearly endorses the BSI position on standards and Brexit, supporting BSI’s continued role in CEN and CENELEC, and follows on from a letter received by BSI last month from Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Industrial Strategy Greg Clark MP, in which he confirmed that the government would not change its established approach to the use of voluntary standards to support trade. In the letter he also encouraged BSI to fulfil its mandate as the UK’s National Standards Body and maintain UK influence in the European Standards Organizations.

BFPA CEO elected to new CENELEC industry advisory panel

BFPA CEO Chris Buxton has been elected to join a newly formed CEN-CENELEC Industry Advisory Forum representing the British Fluid Power Association and the hydraulic and pneumatic equipment industry sector.

The Industry Advisory Forum selected 15 Members of the Industry Advisory Forum out of 36 applications, based on the particular experience and knowledge in the following areas: Electrical and industrial power grid, Construction Industry, Steel, Digital Industries, Plumbing, heating, cooling and infrastructure, Automotive Industry, Civil aviation security as well as cross sectorial representation.

The aims of the group are stated as to assist in defining priorities for future actions in support of industry and propose medium- and long-term objectives for CEN and CENELEC to undertake to reach the Ambitions 2020 and beyond.

This is good news as it keeps our place at the European Standards table post Brexit.

Chris Buxton
BFPA