BSI Inc. Qualifies For ANSI-RAB Mature Quality Systems Advisory.

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 1999--BSI, Inc., the North American division of BSI, the world's leading registrar of quality management systems, today announced that it has qualified to apply the Registrar Accreditation Board (RAB) National Accreditation Program Advisory No. 3, "Utilizing Mature and Effective Quality Systems in Maintaining ISO 9001/2 Registrations," to existing clients who meet the specified criteria.

BSI, Inc.'s version of the scheme, Mature Quality System Certification Maintenance Scheme, Issue One (MQSCMS), is in conformance with RAB's Advisory No. 3. It will allow BSI, Inc. to offer a competitive and customized service to companies that have demonstrated a mature quality system that is in accordance with the specifications of the new scheme.

"RAB is the only accreditation body that allows quality systems registrars to apply this specific scheme to their clients," said BSI, Inc. Regulatory Affairs Manager, Reg Blake. "As far as we know, BSI, Inc. is one of only four registrars in the U.S. that can provide this service. We developed the specifications and supporting client manager guidance materials in cooperation with the RAB and in accordance with their advisory, and we are now working to apply the scheme to clients who meet the specified criteria."

The advisory was initially developed in response to an initiative by Motorola and Hewlett Packard, who wanted registrars to acknowledge that quality management systems mature over time, and therefore, more emphasis should be placed on the organization's internal auditing methodology, with the possible benefits of requiring less involvement by a third party, less audits, and ultimately, less cost.

RAB developed the mature systems advisory to address this issue, and now registrars may draft proposals which, when deemed in accordance with the RAB advisory, will allow them to apply the concept to their clients.

BSI, Inc.'s scheme stipulates that the ISO 9001/2 registered clients must have a superior internal audit program and can demonstrate improvement of the quality management system through quantifiable data. The system must be in continuous conformance with the standard for a minimum of three years, and all sites covered by the registration must be operating under the same quality system.

These basic requirements are supplemented with very stringent criteria. However, due to the vast array of differing clients, considerable flexibility has been built into the specifications.

"The criteria for BSI, Inc.'s MQSCMS is very specific, and moving to this scheme is only on a justified case-by-case basis," said Blake. "BSI, Inc.'s client managers must have complete confidence in the maturity and stability of the client's quality management system before agreeing to the adoption of the MQSCMS."

By having this "product" in its portfolio, BSI, Inc. continues to maintain its competitive position and deliver client-focused services.

Those ISO 9000 registered companies who are looking to enhance their existing quest for quality will find a match with the MQSCMS. Furthermore, this scheme is complimentary to BSI's Company-wide Registration approach and other quality initiatives that lead to business excellence.

About BSI, Inc.

Founded in 1901, BSI has issued over 32,500 registrations in over 75 countries. BSI, Inc. was established in 1991 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with nine offices throughout the U.S. and two in Mexico to serve the North American market. BSI, the world's leading registrar, was the world's first national standards body and a founding member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

BSI facilitated and published the first commercial standards to address quality management systems, environmental management systems, occupational health and safety management systems, and project management. For more information on BSI, Inc., call 800/862-4977, or visit BSI, Inc. at www.bsi-inc.org.