BSI’s consumer voice recognized in New Year’s Honours

PRESS RELEASE

12 January 2005

British Standards – the national standards body of the UK – is delighted that one of its most prominent and longest serving committee members has been awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list for services to consumers through standardization.

Ms Caroline Warne has given outstanding service to consumers for nearly 30 years, including for the last 21 years as a volunteer member and later Chair of BSI’s Consumer Policy Committee. In 2002 Ms Warne was appointed Chair of the International Organization for Standardization’s Committee on Consumer Policy – a role she fulfilled with such considerable success that she was re-appointed for a second term as Chair, to be completed in 2005.

Ms Warne’s early involvement with the consumer’s voice in standardization included work on fire testing methods and children’s safety, including nightdresses, safety gates, baby carriers and baby bouncers. She also pioneered work on standards for hot water bottles that could be heated in microwave ovens. More recently she has ensured the consumer’s voice is heard in a standard for Personal Financial Planners. She has spoken throughout the world on matters relating to consumer representation in standardization. Among her current issues on the international stage, she is pushing for training to increase awareness and skills, particularly in developing countries, so that the consumer voice can be better heard in national standards development as well as regionally and at the international level.

Commenting on the award, Mike Low, Director of British Standards said: “Caroline Warne’s outstanding leadership has directly led to the BSI Consumer Policy Committee being recognized as one of the leading consumer organizations for standardization in the world. Her work has strengthened BSI and the UK’s reputation as leaders in standardization, particularly consumer representation. We congratulate her warmly on her richly deserved OBE.”

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For more information please contact:

Wilma Tulloch on +44 (0)20 8996 6330 OR
Marc Edney on +44 (0)20 8996 6330