Joint statement The strategic value of international standards for the UK as a global trading nation The strategic value of international standards for the UK as a global trading nation bsigroup.com

The strategic value of international standards for the UK as a global trading nation BSI and its stakeholders offer three recommendations to government to enhance Dr Scott Steedman CBE, Dr Keith Hawken, Technical & Lorna Williams, Executive Offi cer and Dr Laura Cohen MBE, Chief Executive, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General, Director of Standards, British Standards Director, Agricultural General Secretary, British Adhesives & British Ceramic Confederation British Chambers of Commerce trade policy through the strategic use of international standards. We welcome the Standards institution Engineers Association Sealants Association opportunity to work closely with government to inform and advise on the effective use of international standards in trade agreements that will maximise opportunities for the whole of the UK.

Standards are an invaluable tool to boost the UK’s Within the international system, UK experts play a advantage. Research1 shows the use of standards prominent role in the European regional standards Tom Bowtell, CEO, Dr Howard Porter, CEO, Chris Buxton, CEO and Director, Steve Schofi eld, Director & Andrea Beddard-Smith, Chair, in the UK enables an additional £6.1bn in exports area, through national membership of the independent British Coatings Federation BEAMA The British Fluid Power Chief Executive, British Pump British Standards Society annually and nearly 40% of UK productivity growth. associations, CEN4 and CENELEC5. European Association Manufacturers Association The success of the UK as a global trading nation standards are aligned with international standards and depends on competitive access to global markets, simplify market access in all 34 member countries. assuring the confi dence of consumers and minimising UK leadership in the international standards system6 technical barriers to trade. International standards is a strategic asset for UK trade policy, a pillar of UK created through ISO2 and IEC3 are a passport to trade, soft power and can underpin upcoming trade reducing trade friction and enabling better business negotiations. BSI and its stakeholders across business, practice while strengthening consumer protection. trade associations, professional institutions, consumer Antony Kirrane, Technical Director, Prof. Lynne Jack, President, Leon Livermore, Chief Executive, Henrietta Jowitt, Deputy Director Peter Caplehorn, Chief Executive, British Toy and Hobby Association Chartered Institution of Building Chartered Trading Standards Institute General, Commercial, Confederation Construction Products Association International standards are a cornerstone of the groups and academia can bring deep domain Services Engineers of British Industry WTO rules-based trading system, helping to create a knowledge and expertise to the government common language for good practice between trading Expert Trade Advisory Groups. partners, delivering confi dence in products and Knowing how standards are used in target markets FIPPE services and facilitating regulatory compliance in will help to provide clear and robust negotiating many countries. UK expert representatives shape the positions. We can unlock the potential of the UK’s conditions of market access globally by leading the leadership in this area by reaching agreement on development of international standards. the use of international standards in trade deals. Lesley Rudd, CEO, Electrical Russell Beattie, Chief Executive, David Matthews, Director, Steve Brambley, Chief Executive, Martin Baxter, Chief Policy Advisor, Safety First Federation of Environmental Trade Fire and Industrial PPE Safety GAMBICA IEMA Associations Services

We recommend that government: 1. Make full use of the strategic national value of the UK’s role in the international standards system comprising ISO and IEC and the European regional organizations. Seán Harris OBE, Director of Nigel Fine, Chief Executive and Dr Jenifer Baxter, Chief Engineer & Stephen Phipson CBE, James Selka, CEO, Manufacturing 2. Ensure that representative organizations are included in the Expert Trade Advisory Groups and Membership, Institution of Secretary, The Institution of Head of Communication and Marketing CEO, Make UK Technologies Association Civil Engineers Engineering & Technology Services, Institution of Mechanical the consultation process to support the development of trade policy and trade deals. Engineers 3. I nvolve BSI, as the national standards body, in the development of negotiating objectives related to technical barriers to trade and in the negotiation of trade deals.

1. CEBR, The Economic Contribution of Standards of the UK Economy (2015), published by BSI, 4. CEN, European Committee for research funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 5. CENELEC, European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization Arnold Pindar, Chair, National Sir Jim McDonald, President, Royal Julian David, CEO, TechUK Caroline Normand, Director of Consumer Federation Academy of Engineering Advocacy, Which? 2. ISO, International 6. The UK has more participating members in ISO committees than any other country 3. IEC, International Electrotechnical Commission The strategic value of international standards for the UK as a global trading nation bsigroup.com

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