Understanding the BS 99001 Standard

 

BS 99001 is the newly published British Standard for Quality Management in the built environment sector. Tailored specifically for construction, engineering, and facilities management, this standard builds on ISO 9001 and addresses the unique challenges and regulatory needs of the industry.

In this expert-led webinar, we explore:

• What BS 99001 is and why it was developed

• Key differences between BS 99001 and ISO 9001

• Implementation guidance and next steps for compliance

• Practical advice from industry professionals

Whether you're part of a Tier 1 contractor, SME, or a consultancy, this session offers valuable insights to help you understand and apply BS 99001 effectively.

Webinar Transcript 

BS 99001:2022 is a sector-specific British Standard aimed at enhancing quality management in the built environment.Designed to work alongside ISO 9001, not replace it. Applicable to organisations across the construction sector: main contractors, design consultants, subcontractors, suppliers, etc.

Why a New Standard?

ISO 9001 is broad and generic, suitable for many industries. The construction sector has unique complexities: multiple stakeholders, high-risk activities, and phased life cycles. BS 99001 addresses gaps in ISO 9001 by offering:

• Lifecycle guidance (design to decommissioning)
• Clarity in roles and responsibilities
• Emphasis on traceability, accountability, and sustainability

Key Themes in BS 99001

• Safety, sustainability, and durability as foundational pillars
• Post-Grenfell context: better oversight, documentation, and accountability
• Supports compliance with the Building Safety Act
• Aligns with net zero and social value goals
• Encourages ESG integration and project resilience

Benefits

• Improved stakeholder engagement across the supply chain
• Reduces rework, defects, and disputes
• Promotes consistency, risk management, and customer focus
• Encourages shared responsibility across teams

Implementation Considerations

• Scalable: Suitable for large frameworks or single-project teams
• Doesn’t require full company certification – can apply to parts of an organization
• Focus on process improvement, not just documentation

Standard Structure (Based on Annex SL)

1. Context of the Organisation

• Understand internal/external project factors
• Identify stakeholders and social/environmental impacts
• Document sustainability and community value goals

2. Leadership & Governance

• Senior leadership accountable for quality delivery
• Clear roles (e.g., Management System Representative) with authority to pause operations if quality is at risk

3. Planning

• Address risks/opportunities
• Align with project lifecycle, sustainability, social and economic objectives
• Set measurable quality objectives

4. Support

• Ensure staff competency and training
• Provide physical/digital infrastructure
• Foster ethical behavior and responsibility

5. Operations

• Plan activities, manage interfaces and traceability
• Quality integrated throughout design, construction, handover
• Clear controls for subcontractors and externally provided services

6. Performance Evaluation

• Regular internal audits and management reviews
• Evaluate quality performance, customer satisfaction, carbon performance, and rework rates

7. Improvement

• Maintain lessons learned
• Document and act on non-conformities
• Promote continuous improvement across teams

Adoption & Certification

• Growing interest, especially from public sector and government frameworks
• Likely to become a requirement for high-risk projects (e.g., hospitals, schools)
• Certification is not yet UKAS-accredited, but pilot programs are underway

Training Opportunities

• An e-learning course is being developed and expected by the end of the year

Final Thoughts

• BS 99001 enhances ISO 9001 for construction-specific challenges.
• Focuses on quality, safety, sustainability, and regulatory alignment.
• Encourages a culture of accountability, improvement, and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.