BSI signs Beijing Olympics agreement

This agreement recognises the importance of standards and the integral role they play in supporting a safe, efficient, fair and green Olympic Games.

BSI, the Science and Technology Committee and SAC have agreed to collaborate in making, amending, implementing, training and assessing Chinese national standards as well as promoting the adoption of international standards to support the global alliance of the Olympic Games.

Under the agreement BSI will be responsible for providing information and technical support on international standards; liaising with UK government, business, organisations and individuals with relevant expertise; and participating in standards training and other related activities.

The Science and Technology Committee’s responsibilities will be focused around information and project requirements specific to the Olympic Games and liaising with related bodies. SAC’s responsibilities will involve the planning, initiation and development of new standards work and managing the input of the Chinese standardization community.

This agreement outlines the areas of cooperation in the fields of sports standards; Olympic Games supporting activities such as the environment, public safety, food safety, accommodation and business services; and graphical symbol and guidance signs such as public information, transportation, facilities, weather and sports signs.

Mike Low, Director of BSI British Standards said:

“This partnership agreement enables the UK to demonstrate its credentials as a world leader in standardization in front of a global audience.

 “The Beijing Olympic Games offers tremendous opportunities for British business and is a great learning ground in preparation for our own Olympics in London in 2012.”

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Media information:

Notes to editors:

• Signatories to the Joint Cooperation Agreement:
  Science and Technology Committee – Lin Wenyi, Chairwoman
  BSI – Mike Low, Director of BSI British Standards
  SAC – Liu Pingjun, Administrator
• BSI British Standards is the UK’s national standards body, working with government, business and consumers to represent UK interests and facilitate the production of British, European and international standards to meet economic and social needs. For further information on British Standards please visit:
  www.bsi-global.com/british_standards
• The Science and Technology Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (the 2008 Olympic Games) was jointly established by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) and 12 other institutions including the Beijing Municipal Government, in June 2002.
• The Committee is an advisory and consultative body for Beijing's preparation for the Olympic Games. Its major functions include inviting experts to provide technical consultation for BOCOG, organizing and coordinating technological projects for the Olympic Games, promoting information flow among relevant institutions and advancing international exchanges on scientific and technological projects for the Games.
• The Standardization Administration of China (SAC) is China’s national standards body. Its responsibility is to provide management, supervision and overall coordination of standardization work in China. SAC also represents China within ISO, IEC and other international and regional standardization organizations.
• SAC reports into the Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) with SAC’s Administrator also being a Vice-Minister of AQSIQ. SAC is funded directly by AQSIQ.