British Standards are safety standards for a wide range of products, processes and services. They are drawn up by the British Standards Institution (BSI), which is an independent national body. The BSI is the UK member of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and of the Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN). CEN Standards take precedence over national standards in the European Union. Where a British Standard is superseded by a CEN Standard, it may retain the same number for continuity. The Standard could have two or more numbers. I.e. BS, EN, ISO or if there is no National Standard, BSI may use a prefixed EN number.
A list of many of the Standards which relate to optometry and dispensing optics is available on the AOP website, which should make it easier to find relevant standards, which may otherwise be found on the BS Online website.
British Standards are available through local libraries, or directly from the BSI or British Standards Online. British Standards are also available free of charge to members of the College of Optometrists through its library service.
Website: British Standards Online www.bsonline.bsi-global.com
[January 2007.]
