Following its acquisition of a leading gas certification body early in 2010, BSI, the UK’s premier standards body, is now operating an Appliance Laboratory that offers a comprehensive range of testing and certification services covering all types of gas, electric, oil and solid fuel appliances for domestic and commercial use.
The laboratory is also working closely with leading manufacturers and other interested bodies to develop standards and test techniques for novel appliances and power sources, such as mCHP (micro combined heat and power) and fuel cells.

In addition, it is planning to introduce and operate BSI Kitemark schemes for many types of appliance in the near future.

Backed by BSI's renowned expertise, the laboratory's services not only include testing to ensure safety and regulatory compliance, but also evaluation of the energy performance of appliances, which is an increasingly important issue in the light of today's environmental concerns.

The services offered by the BSI Appliance Laboratory are of equal interest to manufacturers, importers and specifiers.

For manufacturers, the laboratory can provide valuable support during product development, as well as making sure that, at the end of the development process, products are safe and efficient.

Certification in line with regulatory requirements around the world, including those associated with CE marking, is also offered, to assist manufacturers to gain access to lucrative export markets.

A further benefit for manufacturers is that the efficiency and experience of the laboratory ensure that the time to market for new products is minimised.

For importers and for retailers of imported goods, the services of the laboratory confirm that appliances that may have been designed and manufactured to standards different from those currently in use in the target market do actually meet all of the regulatory requirements for the country where they will be sold.

This not only ensures that the equipment is safe to operate, but also helps the importers and retailers to protect their valuable brands against the bad publicity that results if any shortcomings are discovered after products are put on sale.

For specifiers, choosing appliances that have been tested and certified by the BSI Appliance Laboratory is a fast, convenient and dependable way of ensuring the products in question meet current regulatory requirements and achieve appropriate levels of energy efficiency.

For all users of the laboratory's services, significant benefits include its ready access to the latest test equipment and systems, and the expertise of its employees, which encompasses not only UK and European requirements but also those relating to almost every other country of the world.