You can tell whether a product complies with certain standards or norms by looking at its marking. The BSI Kitemark™ is one of the most recognisable quality and safety marks in the world. This certification has been around for over 120 years and is managed by the British Standards Institution (BSI), a globally recognised certification organisation.
What is the BSI Kitemark™?
The BSI Kitemark™ is a mark that confirms that a product, service, or process meets certain quality and safety standards. This trademark was registered by BSI back in 1903. Since then, it has been synonymous with reliability and high quality.
Types of Kitemark™ Certifications
BSI offers a variety of Kitemark™ certification programs tailored to the specifics of different industries and products. The most popular include:
- Services: automotive repair, electrical installations, customer service
- Consumer Products: electrical appliances, furniture, home goods
- Technology & Innovation: smart products, digital security, sustainability
- Management Systems: ISO 14001 (Environment), ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 27001 (Information Security)
Use the Kitemark Search to see what you can get the certification for.
Is the Kitemark™ Mandatory?
The BSI Kitemark™ is voluntary in most cases, but it provides a strong competitive edge. It demonstrates that a business goes beyond minimum legal requirements. However, it should be noted that in some industries, Kitemark™ certification may be expected by consumers/customers, so it is worth investing in it.
What does the Kitemark™ Certificate include?
A valid Kitemark™ certificate typically contains:
- Scope of Certification: defines what products, services, or systems are covered
- Reference Standards: the official British, European, or international standards applied
- License Number: unique identifier
- Issue and Expiry Dates: validity of the certification
Ongoing surveillance audits are conducted to ensure continued compliance.
Who issues the Kitemark™?
The Kitemark™ is issued exclusively by the British Standards Institution (BSI)—a UK-based, independent certification body. BSI is accredited by the following organizations:
- ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)
- China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS)
- Raad voor Accreditatie (RvA) in the Netherlands (C122, C646)
- United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
How to get the Kitemark™?
Here is a step-by-step procedure to get the Kitemark™ certification:
- Contact BSI – Describe your product, service, or management system.
- Application Review – BSI assesses if you are ready to be compliant with the applicable standards.
- Testing & Audits – Independent evaluation, lab testing, and site inspections (if required).
- Certification Decision – If compliant, the Kitemark™ is issued.
- Ongoing Surveillance – Regular reviews to maintain certification status.
Why is it worth having the Kitemark™?
Having the Kitemark™ certification brings many benefits. Once you get the Kitemark™, you are more likely to:
- stand out from the competition
- gain greater customer confidence
- get access to specific markets more easily
- prove compliance with standards.
Additionally, the Kitemark™ can be used in marketing materials, which increases the credibility of the brand. It is a great investment in the quality and reputation of the brand.