The Standards Show

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries. It is home to 2.7 billion people and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of its members are small states, including many island nations. It’s member governments agree to shared goals like democracy, trade and development.

The Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN) was established in 2018 to promote the use of standards to boost trade and development in low and middle-income Commonwealth countries. The UK Government helps fund CSN activities via its International Development budget and the programme delivery is managed by BSI.

The CSN collaborates with National Standards Bodies (NSBs) - from throughout the Commonwealth – helping to improve the services they offer to their stakeholders to enhance the effective use of standards, leading to economic, sustainability and society benefit. 

This episode of The Standards Show is an audio-abridged version of a CSN Report: Carbon Management Standards - Supporting Sustainable Infrastructure and Reducing Costs.

As nations work toward climate goals and economic growth, carbon management has emerged as a crucial tool for achieving a net-zero economy while enhancing cost efficiency. Commonwealth countries face diverse economic and geographical challenges in implementing standardized approaches to infrastructure development. By adopting consistent carbon management standards, waste can be minimized, costs reduced, and sustainability reinforced, ultimately strengthening economic resilience.

Series | Audiobooks

Find out more about the issues raised in this episode

CSN Report | Carbon Management Standards

Commonwealth Standards Network

Get involved with standards

Get in touch with The Standards Show

[email protected]

send a voice message

Find and follow on social media

X @StandardsShow

Instagram @thestandardsshow

LinkedIn | The Standards Show

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries. It's home to 2.7 billion people and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of its members are small states, including many island nations. It’s member governments agree to shared goals like democracy, trade and development.

The Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN) was established in 2018 to promote the use of standards to boost trade and development in low and middle-income Commonwealth countries. The UK Government helps fund CSN activities via its International Development budget and the programme delivery is managed by BSI.

The CSN collaborates with National Standards Bodies (NSBs) from throughout the Commonwealth – helping to improve the services they offer to their stakeholders to enhance the effective use of standards, leading to economic, sustainability and society benefit. 

This episode of The Standards Show is an audio-abridged version of a CSN Report: Nature Markets Standards: Empowering National Standards Bodies to support high-integrity nature markets.

Nature markets have huge potential across the Commonwealth, but they need strong standards to build trust and make sure everything works smoothly. The report is a practical guide for Commonwealth NSBs, giving them the tools to support their stakeholders with reliable standards and services. With the right standards in place, nature markets can gain confidence, attract more private investment, and play a bigger role in nature recovery and long-term sustainability.

Series | Audiobooks

Find out more about the issues raised in this episode

CSN Report | Nature Markets Standards

BSI Nature Investment Standards Programme

Commonwealth Standards Network

Get involved with standards

Get in touch with The Standards Show

[email protected]

send a voice message

Find and follow on social media

X @StandardsShow

Instagram @thestandardsshow

LinkedIn | The Standards Show

Standards play a crucial role in driving innovation by providing a common framework for developers and manufacturers, reducing uncertainty, ensuring interoperability, and building trust in new technologies. This accelerates adoption and market penetration of innovative solutions. ISO 56001, part of the ISO 56000 family of standards, sets the requirements for an Innovation Management System (IMS), offering comprehensive guidance on managing innovation.

In this episode, Matthew Chiles and Emma Glass welcome young innovation managers Oli Kelland (Mott MacDonald), Xilin Dai (Mott MacDonald), and Chris Catney (Heathrow Airport) to discuss innovation management and one of ISO 56001’s eight key principles: fostering an innovation culture.

Find out more about the issues raised in this episode

Innovation Mangers Society of the UK

ISO 56000 series | Innovation management

BSI Innovation Day 2024

Business Growth Toolkit

Future Flight Standards Programme

Bridge AI Programme

Get involved with standards

Get in touch with The Standards Show

[email protected]

send a voice message

Find and follow on social media

X @StandardsShow

Instagram @thestandardsshow

LinkedIn | The Standards Show

The Standards Desk of News is news about standards and standards in the news.

The Standards Desk of News for February 2025:

• Formula E on track to Net Zero
• Standards at the heart of UK public policy
• New standard to drive circular design in lighting
• New standards to drive circular design of fishing gear
• Trustworthy AI standards for consumers
• Have your say on Terms & Conditions

Series | Standards Desk of News

Get involved with standards

Get in touch with The Standards Show

[email protected]

send a voice message

Find and follow on social media

X @StandardsShow

Instagram @thestandardsshow

LinkedIn | The Standards Show

Business Growth Toolkit  – a series from The Standards Show - developed in collaboration with Innovate UK Business Growth.

Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency. And Innovate UK Business Growth is the agencies national business growth and scaling service. It helps thousands of businesses sharpen their commercial strategies, realise the maximum value from their intellectual property (IP), raise game changing investment, and take their businesses onto the global stage every year, through tailored, one-to-one support.

The series looks at the relationship between standards and some key business issues, with particular relevance for SMEs.

In this episode of the series, Victoria Milne speaks to Andrew Stanton and Andrew Philips about the relationship between IP, innovation management and standards. And how organizations can use the standard ISO 56005 to effectively manage their IP within their innovation processes.

Series | Business Growth Toolkit

Find out more about the issues raised in this episode

[email protected]

Business Growth Toolkit

Get involved with standards

Get in touch with The Standards Show

[email protected]

send a voice message

Find and follow on social media

X @StandardsShow

Instagram @thestandardsshow

LinkedIn | The Standards Show

Every year, BSI and its partners offer young engineers an incredible, all-expenses-paid opportunity to participate in the prestigious IEC Young Professionals Programme.

This programme – integrated into the annual IEC General Meeting - brings together the next generation of expert engineers, technicians, and managers from around the globe. Participants gain a unique platform to influence the future of international standardization and conformity assessment in the fast-evolving field of electrotechnology.

In this episode, Design Engineer Tom Ruddell shares his experiences representing BSI and the UK at the IEC Young Professionals Programme in Edinburgh in 2024. Through an audio diary, he reflects on his week at the IEC General Meeting, recounting the people he met, the events he participated in, and his key takeaways from the experience.

Find out more about the issues raised in this episode

IEC Young Professionals Programme

Get involved with standards

BS 8887-221

Get in touch with The Standards Show

[email protected]

send a voice message

Find and follow on social media

X @StandardsShow

Instagram @thestandardsshow

LinkedIn | The Standards Show

BSI Whitepapers provide expert insights, guidance, and analysis on various topics related to standards, compliance, and best practices. They are designed to inform and educate organizations, industries, and policymakers about emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in areas where standards play a critical role.

This episode is an audio-abridged version of the BSI White Paper: Understanding sustainable food systems.

Published in August 2024, the Whitepaper reveals that the global food sector is responsible for a third of all greenhouse gas emissions, 60% of global biodiversity loss, and two-thirds of deforestation, while a third of all food produced is wasted.

This underscores the urgent need for change. By aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and adopting sustainability standards, organizations can lead the way. Implementing changes across farming, manufacturing, and retail practices will drive positive impact, enhance public health, and promote low-carbon, sustainable diets.

Series | Audiobooks

Find out more about the issues raised in this episode

Whitepaper | Understanding sustainable food systems

BSI | Sustainability in food

Get involved with standards

Get in touch with The Standards Show

[email protected]

send a voice message

Find and follow on social media

X @StandardsShow

Instagram @thestandardsshow

LinkedIn | The Standards Show

The Standards Desk of News is news about standards and standards in the news.

The Standards Desk of News for December 2024 and January 2025:

• Supporting suicide prevention
• CEN and CENELEC Standards + Innovations Awards 2024
• New fire safety standard
• Enhancing rail passenger ride comfort
• Gathering the experiences of Covid career starters
• Have your say on Nature Capital Accounting

Series | Standards Desk of News

Get involved with standards

Get in touch with The Standards Show

[email protected]

send a voice message

Find and follow on social media

X @StandardsShow

Instagram @thestandardsshow

LinkedIn | The Standards Show

Standards affect all of us every day, wherever we go, whatever we do. By defining good practice, they help people and organizations to do things better. For all sorts of things, from nanotechnology to Net Zero guidance.

And these standards are made by standards-makers – tens of thousands of people from around the world - who get together to agree good practice to the way things are made and done. All helping to make life easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

In this episode, Matthew speaks to Alistair Mackinnon, standards-maker and Chair of IECRE – the conformity assessment system for renewable energy.

Alistair describes his motivations for getting and staying involved in standards, the impact standards-making has had on his career, and his advice to anyone considering getting involved in standards.

Series | Why I am a standards-maker

Find out more about the issues raised in this episode

IECRE

IEC 61400 series | Wind turbines

Get involved with standards

Get in touch with The Standards Show

[email protected]

send a voice message

Find and follow on social media

X @StandardsShow

Instagram @thestandardsshow

LinkedIn | The Standards Show

Standards affect all of us every day, wherever we go, whatever we do. By defining good practice, they help people and organizations to do things better. For all sorts of things, from nanotechnology to Net Zero guidance.

And these standards are made by standards-makers – tens of thousands of people from around the world - who get together to agree good practice to the way things are made and done. All helping to make life easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

In this episode, Matthew speaks to Andy Clowes, standards-maker and CPIN coordinator in the area of sustainability.

Andy describes his motivations for getting involved in standards, the role of standards in consumer protection, and his proudest standard-making moments so far.

Series | Why I am a standards-maker

Find out more about the issues raised in this episode

CPIN

IWA 48 | ESG implementation principles

Get involved with standards

Get in touch with The Standards Show

[email protected]

send a voice message

Find and follow on social media

X @StandardsShow

Instagram @thestandardsshow

LinkedIn | The Standards Show