Print this pageIdentifying needs and actions
Small Business Survey
BSI carried out a survey to determine how small businesses use standardization, aiming to understand the thinking and concerns of this important sector. The survey was carried out in association with BSI's Small Business Policy Committee, comprising the Federation of Small Business, Forum for Private Business, DTI Small Business Service, and Chambers of Commerce.
The committee will consider the results of the survey to identify opportunities for helping small businesses take advantage of standardization.
Data was gathered from over 140 businesses with less than 50 employees and turnover of less than £5 million, the majority having five or fewer employees.
Download the report (PDF 40KB)
Standards and Innovation
The Standards and Innovation report was the NSSF's first research activity. It aimed to provide the economic arguments and evidence base for the role of standards in business and the wider economy.
The paper applies extensive business survey data to analyse the role of standardization in national innovation performance. The most striking results are that, contrary to popular assumptions, standards promote and enable innovation in the economy, even among businesses who perceive standards and regulations to hamper their individual innovation efforts.
Download the report (PDF 151KB)
Government and Standardization
This paper discusses the government's needs and objectives for the UK standardization infrastructure. It looks at concerns about the current infrastructure and opportunities for its improvement.
Its scope includes not only formal consensus standards, but also many other forms of standards and specifications in use, as well as the many bodies that prepare them in addition to the British Standards Institution (BSI).
Standardization is a key factor in support of a number of government policies, including competitiveness, innovation, reduction of trade barriers, fair trading and protection of consumer interests, environmental protection and public procurement. Used in conjunction with health and safety and environmental legislation, standardization can also promote better regulation.
For these reasons there is a strong government interest in promoting effective standardization in the UK. Public policy is needed to compensate for market imperfections and ensure that the potential socio-economic benefits of standardization, including the promotion of small and medium-sized businesses, and worker, consumer and environmental interests, can be realized.
Download the report (PDF 64KB)
Standards: Productivity Driver or Regulatory Burden?
A CBI discussion paper on the future of the UK standardization infrastructure that sets out the business benefits of standardization, what businesses want from standards and proposed improvements to the standardization infrastructure.