About BSI In 1901, the BSI Group began life as a committee of engineers determined to standardise the number and type of steel sections in order to make British manufacturers more efficient and competitive. One hundred year`s later, the BSI Group is still working to make your business more efficient and competitive - now not only in Britain, but across the globe. In 2001, the BSI Group is not only the oldest and most prestigious national standards body in the world; we are the world`s leading management systems registrar and are among the world`s leading commodity and product testing organisations. We operate in 112 countries, and last year our turnover was $300m. And everything the BSI Group does is done with the same integrity, authority and independence we offered to manufacturers of steel in 1901. What BSI does To help you build a better business, the BSI Group: 1)l registers over 35,500 management systems clients in 86 countries - management systems that are recognised the world over as an essential key to running a profitable business 2) facilitates writing the standards that industry and business use to increase efficiency and safety, and to trade internationally 3) inspects commodities and tests products to ensure that they are what they claim to be and do what they claim to do efficiently and safely 4) provides a range of related support services and learning opportunities What is the Kitemark BSI is proud of the Kitemark, and with good reason. It is the most well-known and respected product quality mark in the world. Regular UK consumer surveys tell us that 80% of the British public recognise the Kitemark as a symbol of quality and safety. What`s more, 60% of them are prepared to pay a price premium for products that bear the Kitemark. The Kitemark commands recognition and respect from consumers and business alike. This recognition extends to some organisations insisting that their suppliers` products bear the Kitemark before they will place an order with them. The usual route to achieving this mark is by a combination of stringent and regular independent product testing and quality systems assessment - all to recognised British, European or international safety and quality standards. Only when a company has proved that it can meet these criteria is it allowed to display the Kitemark on a product. It`s small wonder then that BSI is proud of its mark. But you don`t have to take our word for it - Kitemark licensees are happy to sing its praises for us. BSI runs Kitemark schemes for hundreds of products - cricket balls, condoms, pipes, valves, playground equipment... Take a look at our Schemes Available section. Make a sound business decision, find out now how to apply to hold the most prestigious product quality mark in the world - the Kitemark! Note: The Company’s policy is one of continual improvement and refinement and the Company reserves the right to change specifications without notice. Final specification will be contained in the contract between the Company and the Customer which always takes precedence over this information sheet. ©1984-2002. All pictures from the Company’s Jobs Library.