Top of the Pops: BSI members’ most-read articles of 2021

The end of the year is always a great time to sit back and reflect. At BSI, we’ve been casting our minds back to the topics that sparked our members’ interest the most in 2021.

So, as the year draws to a close, here’s our round up of the best-read articles of 2021. If you missed any of these the first time around, here’s your chance to chance to catch up on what our other members have been reading!

1. Extra time to apply new product safety marking
You’ll probably agree that the pandemic has given companies more than enough to deal with – so it’s welcome news that extra time has been allowed for the transition from the CE marking to the new UKCA marking system. A full transition to the new system had been planned for 1 January 2022, but is now postponed until 1 January 2023 (1 July 2023 for medical devices).

2. What makes one leader more trustworthy than another?
Surveys show that – business aside – our trust in institutions has plummeted over the past year. In these uncertain times, people look to leaders who show integrity and inspire trust. Read what leadership expert, Elizabeth Stewart, has to say about what can be done to build trust, and the impact of the pandemic on leadership style.

3. Welcome to the new and very much improved BSI shop
You’ll be pleased to hear that finding the right standard is now easier than ever thanks to a fully redesigned BSI shop. Offering insightful content and intuitive navigation, the site now has improved search tools and curated articles to provide you with sector-specific context to particular standards. We hope you find the smoother, cleaner BSI shop a pleasure to use!

4. Seven clever ways the BSI Standards Knowledge Centre can help make your life easier
The Knowledge Centre is an invaluable tool, helping member organisations to identify, understand and utilise standards, including foreign and withdrawn standards. Discover seven ways that the experts at the BSI Knowledge Centre can help you, from finding relevant standards, to searching within a document, or highlighting key changes in revised editions.

5. MOD and BSI working together to combat COVID-19
You’ll remember from the early days of the pandemic that the mobilisation of MOD workers was vital to the country’s response to COVID-19. MOD staff helped with everything from logistics to procurement, and as a winner of a BSI Standards User Award in 2020, it’s no surprise they used standards to guide them. Read this piece to discover how an innovative platform, offering easy access to the most-used standards, saved this BSI member valuable time in a period when delays could cost lives.

6. Stay up to date with Update Standards magazine every month
As a member, we’re sure you’ll want to hear about standards changes in the smartest way. Every month, Update Standards magazine tells members about new and amended standards. You won’t miss important changes because they’re all laid out for you, covering the UK and international market. You can track the status of standards that are out for consultation or under development too.

7. How to create, build and sustain trust as a leader
In a follow-up article to her popular piece on what makes one leader more trustworthy than another, Elizabeth Stewart explores the complex issue of trustworthiness. How can leaders encompass multiple viewpoints in assessing their own position? What strategies can be used to build trust in a senior leadership team? Read the article and find out!

8. Is this the end of old age as we know it?
Is digital technology changing how we think about old age and health? In ten years, will it be the norm for robots to assist the elderly in their homes, or for scans to be analysed using AI? Will sensor devices and patient devices be used to pick up on conditions earlier, reducing the need for intensive treatments? Tech offers us the hope for a healthier future, but there are also serious privacy and data concerns to be addressed. Our article and associated whitepaper explore this pressing issue.

9. Seven ways to drive your business to net zero-carbon by 2050
Businesses everywhere need to take action to address their carbon emissions, but it can be hard to know where to start. These top tips give some ideas for how organisations can move towards a net zero future, starting with positive actions now. You might be surprised at the competitive advantage that going green can bring to your business.

10. Why withdrawn standards can be very useful
Once a new edition of a standard is published, the withdrawn standard it replaces still has many uses. For example, if you’re working with a legacy system, machine or older building, you might need to use a withdrawn standard to understand how things were done at the time it was made. Withdrawn standards can also be very helpful if you find yourself in disputes and litigation about whether work was completed correctly.

If you enjoyed the articles that were Top of the Pops in 2021, you might also like these all-time golden oldies, our all-time top 3 articles:

1. The unlicensed micro-mobility vehicles on our roads
E-scooters, hoverboards and skateboards are booming in popularity – but do they fall between the cracks of the legal framework?

2. Inside the secret symbols of welders
Welders help to maintain the nation’s bridges, roads and buildings – and they communicate with each other using a special standardised system of symbols.

3. Health and safety in tunnelling in the construction industry
Working underground on projects such as Crossrail poses many challenges: managing ventilation, hazardous substances, heavy plant machinery, electrical equipment and fire risk, to name but a few hazards. How do standards help to manage these risks?

Thanks to all our BSI members for your continued support in 2021. We wish you all a very happy, healthy and productive 2022!