What does using international standards say about your business? And how can they help if you’re exploring new markets abroad? 

Let’s explore the world of international standards.

What is an international standard?

Standards can be developed on a national, regional or global level.

• In the UK, BSI develops British Standards (BS).

• European standards bodies include CEN (European Committee for Standardization) and CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization).

• ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) are international standards bodies.

But a standard made in one way, for example in the UK, can become a standard internationally, and vice versa.

In fact, over 90% of British Standards have international origins: UK experts contribute to an international panel that develops a standard which is adopted as a British Standard. Equally, many British Standards form the basis of international standards, e.g. those on quality, environmental management systems, anti-bribery and information security.

Four ways international standards give you a business advantage

1. They’re a tool for new business

International standards can ease cross-border trade, enabling businesses to provide reassurance to customers and partners around the world.

Meeting the requirements of an ISO standard allows you to display the ISO logo on marketing materials and proposals, and ISO certification can bridge the gap until you gain a reputation and track record in a new market.

2. They help you build trust

A standard provides reassurance that your business follows best practice, establishing a shared set of expectations that help to avoid disputes and misunderstandings.

Additional reassurance is provided by accreditation or certification to prove your business meets a particular standard, and proves you are a transparent company.

For example, trust and safety are paramount in the food sector, but long, complex supply chains make transparency challenging. BS EN ISO 22000:2018+A1:2024 Food safety management systems. Requirements for any organization in the food chain provides a framework for a food safety management system, indicating that a company and its products are trustworthy.

3. They boost productivity

Productivity goes to the heart of what your business does and how it does it. ISO standards such as BS EN ISO 9001:2015+A1:2024 Quality management systems. Requirements help businesses embed good management principles including continuous improvement, governance, competitiveness, resilience and working with stakeholders.

Worker morale is also an important factor. By improving management, standards can help make employees feel valued, respected and motivated. Knowing that a company has met ISO standards in areas such as the environment (ISO 14001), treating customers well (ISO 22458) or managing employee health and wellbeing (ISO 45003) helps workers to feel that their job is meaningful and contributes to making the world a better place.

For example, a company using BS EN ISO 14001:2015+A1:2024 Environmental management systems. Requirements with guidance for use might experience more efficient processes, use different materials or find new ways of working. The monitoring, measuring and transparency which is part of a good environmental management system could also improve workforce productivity, ensuring any issues come to light. When employees are engaged in sustainability initiatives, they may feel more motivated and positive about their employer.

4. They increase business agility

Standards help businesses to monitor, measure and improve. This gives a greater degree of control over operations, leading to increased flexibility. The world is changing rapidly: a business model that works well today may be obsolete in a few years’ time. Using ISO standards may give companies the insight to embrace change.

ISO 22316:2017 Security and resilience. Organizational resilience. Principles and attributes guides organizations to take an all-round view of risks and opportunities, assisting agility and innovation amid changing circumstances. This process will highlight areas of a business that deliver most value, so objectives can be adjusted.

Organizational resilience helps businesses adapt to market conditions and unforeseen disruptions. Learning from such events helps organizations avoid repeating mistakes, developing greater preparedness for scenarios such as cyberattack, extreme weather, or supply chain disruption.

What can international standards do for your organization?

International standards can help you improve trust, productivity and organizational agility. And they’re a strong tool for winning new business in new markets.

You can learn more about the benefits of standards by watching the below video.

If you have questions about the right standard for your needs, contact the BSI Member Enquiry Service by emailing knowledgecentre@bsigroup.com. The service is included in your membership and you’ll be talking to professional researchers with up-to-date databases of national and international standards.

Discover more about BSI Membership

Become a BSI member and you’ll be joining 11,000+ organizations committed to making positive change through standards. You’ll get extra support in implementing standards via a team of research professionals and stay up to date with relevant changes to standards with a monthly spreadsheet. Your personalized Membership certificate and digital Membership badge will help your organization stand out from the competition too. And every member enjoys a 50% saving on British Standards and BSI Knowledge subscriptions, and up to 50% on other standards and subscriptions. Find out more about BSI Membership here.