This document discusses how standards can help lower the costs of delivering public services by providing expert-created solutions, shortcuts to excellence, and cost savings. It notes that standards cover virtually every area and can help public sectors save money, support policy, ensure efficiency and compliance, reduce consultant fees, and provide off-the-shelf solutions. The document encourages readers to learn more about how standards can deliver first-class public services.

1. Closing the gap
How standards can lower the cost of delivering
first class public services www.bsigroup.com/publicsector
raising standards worldwide ™

2. Closing the gap
How standards can lower the cost of delivering first class public services
The delivery of first class services to the public is becoming harder. Public sector
budgets are being cut, even while the impact of the downturn continues to hit
revenues and increases the demand on resources. The difference between what
communities need and the money to pay for it is set to grow. Public servants
face the challenge of narrowing that gap. One solution is through the use of
nationally recognized standards.
How can standards make a difference?
Standards are published documents, written by experts, which set out the optimum approach to delivering goods
and services. As such they provide a short-cut to excellence in service delivery and a direct route to cost saving.
There are some 27,000 current published standards This document offers a snapshot of how the
(only a few of which can be mentioned here). They public sector can use standards to:
cover virtually every area of human activity.
✔ save money
✔ support and drive policy
✔ embed efficiency
✔ reduce risk
✔ ensure compliance
✔ side-step expensive consultants fees
✔ provide instant off-the-shelf solutions
✔ uphold public confidence
✔ ensure the delivery of best value to service users.
Find out how standards can help deliver first class public services
Contact us:
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4. 64 % “All confidential data remains totally secure
and customers also need to feel confident
that any data or file sent across to them by
email will not be contaminated with a virus.
It is critical that our database and
information is protected at all times or we
could seriously damage our reputation.”
Mark Buggy, IT Security Manager, NHS Purchasing and
Supply Agency on certification to ISO/IEC 27001
of UK Fire & Rescue Services
are BSI Members
“We put a high priority on delivering our
86 %
services to the community, whatever the
circumstances. Whether it’s severe weather, flu
pandemic, even floods and fires or something
as small as local blackout or water shortage,
it is vital we maintain those services on which
customers rely. We continuously strive to
improve our business continuity arrangements,
and quickly saw that BS 25999… could drive
our arrangements to the level of an
internationally recognized standard.” of Local Authorities
Alan Jones, Deputy Head of Emergency Management & BCM are BSI Members
Programme Manager, West Sussex County Council
“By providing mediated access to the
12 %
complete collection of British Standards
via the library service website, Hampshire
Library and Information Service is able to
promote best business practice in all areas
from computer management to the
provision of safety glass. Our customers
are frequently amazed at the range of
timely and accurate information available
via a few clicks of the mouse, regardless of
of UK Police Services where they live, work or study.”
are BSI Members Helen Brewer, Business Information Services Manager,
Hampshire Library and Information Service
26 %
“Since the initial introduction of BS
OHSAS 18001 during 2001, the authority
has seen a 38 per cent decrease in the
number of working days lost through
industrial injury. This trend is helped by
the increased awareness of health and
safety in the workplace and the efforts
by services to improve their health and
safety performance.”
David Marshall, Head of Personnel Services, of NHS Trusts are
Renfrewshire Council
BSI Members

5. About BSI
BSI is a global independent business services organization that inspires confidence and delivers assurance
to over 80,000 customers with standards-based solutions. Originating as the world’s first national
standards body, BSI has over 2,500 staff operating in over 147 countries through more than 50 global
offices. BSI’s key offerings are:
• The development and sale of private, national and international • Certification of high-risk, complex medical devices
standards and supporting information that promote and share • Performance management software solutions
best practice
• Supply chain security solutions which identity and mitigate
• Second and third-party management systems assessment and risks in supply chains
certification in all critical areas of management disciplines
• Training services in support of standards implementation
• Testing and certification of services and products for Kitemark and and business best practice.
CE marking to UK, European and international standards. BSI is a
Notified Body for 15 New Approach EU Directives.
For further information please visit www.bsigroup.com/standards
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