BSI has developed a Diversity & Inclusivity Strategy and Action Plan (2019) identifying that both women and potentially marginalised groups are excluded on Technical Committees; that currently the data and information feeding into standards development does not deliberately and explicitly consider inclusion; and that existing standards are inadvertently reinforcing biases or inequalities.
UK and Chinese specialists will adopt a three-pronged strategic approach during the development of new standards in the course of the Programme.
- Incorporating both a gender and an inclusion lens into the development of proposals for international standards; and ensuring that women as well as representatives from other affected groups participate in the standards development process.
- Working with SAC and its Technical Committees to create standards which are responsive to the needs of women as well as any of the potentially excluded groups that may be affected by the standard in question, with the ultimate objective of improving their situation.
- Elaborating appropriate indicators that will be used in the development of these standards.
