British & ISO Standards

[Syd_B]

Is it worth getting approved by the British standards? I know we can just buy a copy of the relevant standards and then work towards that, but is it worth the extra cost of being able to put their approved logo on the side of your van and on any paperwork?

 

Does it get any additional customer interest? I am thinking of setting up as a suby around college and I can see that it would help get work in this area, but is it worth the expense?

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi Syd,

 

You can't get 'approved' as such by BSI but you can get 'certificated' for various managements systems, i.e. ISO9001 Quality Management / 14001 Environmental Standards, by demonstrating compliance and robust procedures are in place.

 

Interestingly, over the last two years we have seen a considerable increase in ARB Approved Contractors acheiving these accreditations, including small businesses, mainly due to the activities of a certain industry based 'arb business management consultant'.

 

"Is it worth it?" I'm sure others will have a veiw but again it's about better positioning the business to access Local Authority and larger commercial contracts (completion of the tender documentation for quality management is very easy if you can simply inlcude a copy of your current cert.)

 

Lastly, the ultimate, is to have your ISO audited and accredited by a UKAS approved body, i.e. BSI / DNV / SGS / Lloyds, and this is necessary if you aspire to attain NHSS 18 to work on Highways Agency network rather than simply 'self-certification' or none UKAS certifictaion.

 

Hope this helps...a little.

 

Cheers..

Paul

[Syd_B]

Thanks for that paul. So is this right, the acreditation isn't required to sub, or to tender for contracts but they ARE if you want to do any work on the motorways?

 

Cheers