BSI opens in South Africa: hosts free business event

Organisations in South Africa got a double boost on May 27, 1999 with a major event in Johannesburg to launch a new BSI facility for management system registration, and a free business-improvement event for local companies.

BSI is the global group of companies known internationally for its Kitemark of product excellence and as the world leader in setting quality and safety standards for industry and consumers.

Nick Moy, managing director of BSI Quality Services Europe, said: "We have opened an operational centre in South Africa and staged this major business event because we are committed to helping organisations succeed. A BSI certificate is recognised internationally as a passport to world markets and improved efficiency. Almost any organisation can benefit. Whatever the area of expertise, organisations are seeing real commercial advantages from the adoption of international quality management standards such as ISO 9000, and environmental management standards such as ISO 14000."

The free business-improvement event was held as part of a major programme being run by BSI throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This programme helps companies be more competitive. Experts from BSI give advice on how management systems standards like ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 help businesses succeed.

The Communication Day and official opening of BSI South Africa was held at the British Consulate in Johannesburg.

BSI's new office in Johannesburg offers companies a local service for independent registration of their management systems to international standards. BSI South Africa helps them prove that they are top-class companies with high-quality management systems in place to help them succeed.

In addition to ISO 9000, the international management system standard, BSI South Africa also provides local access to accredited registration for QS-9000, and ISO 14001, the internationally recognised standard for environmental management systems.

Elsie Holmes, manager of BSI South Africa, said: "This new facility is proving to be a major asset for our clients, who include leading companies in South Africa like IBM, Compaq, Andersen Consulting, Ericsson and Smith & Nephew. We are already working with many more clients throughout Southern Africa, and as far afield as Zimbabwe, Zambia and Swaziland."

Elsie Holmes added: "In today's international marketplace, we recognise how important it is to provide organisations with a 'one-stop' service locally, and through this new facility we can give South African companies local access to accredited BSI registration."