Be a BSI volunteer

BSI British Standards Consumer & Public Interest – enthusiastic, informed people needed

Are you committed to the principles of consumer involvement? Do you have the time to assist us (on a voluntary basis) in ensuring that the standards development process takes into account consumer and public interests?

BSI British Standards' Consumer & Public Interest Unit (CPIU) is looking for enthusiastic people, from all sorts of backgrounds, to join the CPI Network. We particularly need people with knowledge in one or more of the following topic areas: children's interests, nanotechnology, services, security, and sustainability.

If this sounds like you, read on...

What are "standards"?

Standards are published documents that help to make products and services safe, effective and efficient - all of which are important to consumers. Standards are written not by BSI, but by a group of interested stakeholders. The formal process includes the involvement of all relevant bodies, including consumer and public interest representatives, followed by public consultation. Standards take the form of guides, codes of practice, methods of test, terminologies, and specifications, which are reviewed regularly to take account of advances in thinking, technology, practice and need. They are voluntary, but can usefully underpin legislation.

How consumers play their part in standards

Consumers are important to BSI British Standards (which is the national standards body) and to the UK Government. Both actively support consumer and public interest involvement in the standards making process to ensure their views are properly taken into account. This function is performed by CPI representatives, working with CPI coordinators (CPICs). The network is supported by a small team in the CPI unit at BSI headquarters in Chiswick, London.

Vacancies

The BSI CPIU is seeking to recruit:

• CPI representatives:
  Volunteers who contribute to the standards development process in a variety of ways: by attending meetings; working on projects; doing background research; or giving expert advice. They provide their time free, but have travel and subsistence expenses paid.
• CPI coordinators:
  They work with BSI staff on prioritising CPI input and coordinating reps' activity in their topic area. CPICs also often perform the rep role themselves. They are volunteers who receive expenses and a small honorarium (presently £3,000 p.a.) in recognition of their increased responsibilities.

The CPI network also includes affiliated CPI organisations and we are always happy to add new ones that are relevant to our work. Organisations can simply appoint a key contact or can nominate a person to be a CPI representative.

Contact CPIU

BSI Consumer & Public Interest Unit
BSI British Standards
389 Chiswick High Road London W4 4AL
Tel: 020 8996 7754
Email: [email protected]
www.bsigroup.com/Standards-and-Publications
CPI webpage