Standards don’t all work the same way. Did you know that British Standards (BS) fall into several different categories? Seven, to be precise.

These range between precise instructions on how to carry out a procedure to general guidance on best practice. And from how to make sure you’re using a common vocabulary to sharing a recognised grading system.

Let’s look at these seven different categories of British Standards and how they differ from each other.

The seven categories of British Standard (BS)

1. Specification standards

Specification standards provide a set of objectively verifiable, non-negotiable requirements for products, services or systems. They might be used to state the performance criteria of a product, or fundamental elements of a service or management system.

A good example is BS EN ISO 14064-2, which sets out a specification for quantifying, monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emission reductions. The specification ensures that organisations carrying out greenhouse gas reduction projects can be confident that their reduction figures are accurate.

2. Management systems standards

Arguably the most well-known, management system standards set out a model to follow when setting up and operating a management system. They are written in the style of a specification.

The structure of international management system standards follows the structure provided by the International Standards Organization (ISO) in Annex SL of the ISO Directives. National management standards also follow this structure where possible.

An example of a management systems standard is BS EN ISO 45001, which provides an occupational health and safety management system to address risk within the workplace. The standard can be used by organisations of any size, offering a system that can be tailored to meet different needs. 

The design of the management system is intended to align with other key management system standards, such as BS EN ISO 9001 on quality management and BS EN ISO 14001 on environmental management.

3. Method standards

These are standards that are used to set out testing methods or specifying methods. A method of test sets out repeatable and reproducible procedures with consistent outcomes. This can be used to assess materials, products or processes. A method of specifying gives the characteristics of a material, process or system. This enables a customer to select values when entering an agreement with a supplier.

A good example is BS EN 13795-1, which provides requirements and test methods for assessing surgical drapes and gowns. To ensure good protection against the transmission of infectious agents between clinical staff and patients, drapes and gowns need to have certain characteristics. This type of standard spells out how to evaluate such products and gives the expected performance requirements.

4. Guide standards

Guide standards provide information and guidance, as well as recommendations in some circumstances. These recommendations are not specific enough to support a claim of compliance.

For example, there’s BS 8579, which offers guidance on the design of balconies and terraces. An increase in the development of high-rise buildings means more balconies and terraces are being created, but until this standard was developed there was no consensus on the optimum design. This standard provides guidance on issues such as spatial arrangement and wind effects, inclusive design, safety, drainage and thermal or acoustic considerations.

5. Vocabulary standards

Vocabulary standards list terms and definitions, ensuring that multiple parties in a given sector, field or discipline can communicate effectively because they have a shared understanding of common terms.

An example of a vocabulary standard is PD CEN ISO/TS 80004-6, which provides a vocabulary for characterization of nano-objects. A shared vocabulary helps professionals from different fields to avoid misunderstandings and to facilitate comparability and the reliable exchange of information.

6. Code of practice standards

Code of practice standards set out recommendations and supporting guidance, explaining current good practice. Following the recommendations of a code of practice enables the user to support a claim of compliance. Older codes of practice are prefixed CP rather than BS.

A good example is BS 8477, which offers a code of practice for customer service. The standard provides principles for establishing and maintaining good customer service, helping companies to deliver a consistent and quality service that meets or exceeds the expectations of customers.

7. Classification standards

Classification standards order items or provide a grading system for use in a particular sector, field or discipline.

For example, BS EN 17406, which provides a classification of the bicycle usage conditions. This gives retailers and consumers a shared set of terms for classifying the condition of bicycles and their components.

There you have, the seven different categories of British Standards (BS), each doing a different job, but all representing the collective wisdom of the very best experts in their fields. 

Please note some standards don’t need to be backed by the same degree of public consultation and consensus as a British Standard. In many cases, these are provisional, and subject to further development based on experience gained during the first year or two of their use. These include standard-type documents that don’t have the same status as British Standards and come under the catch-all category of Published Documents (PD).

Both private and public sectors can sponsor a fast-track standard with our expert guidance. A fast-track standard establishes best practices for products, services, and processes. BSI offers two main pathways: a PAS standard, or an iterative BSI Flex standard, both of which are tailored to your industry's needs. Both can be proposed for further development into a full British Standard through a formal process.

Any questions?

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