BSI Comments on the Impact of the UK Spending Review on UK plc's Carbon Reduction Commitment

Organisations Urged to Focus on 30% Savings in Energy Costs

LONDON, October 22, 2010 - The UK coalition government's spending review announced on 21st October
largely protects environmental investment but significant changes to the CRC
scheme will impact those organisations that have already signed up.

Specifically, scheme contributions are to be put towards reducing the
UK's public finances - instead of being recycled to scheme participants as
originally planned.

In addition the first allowance sales for 2011-12 emissions are now
planned for 2012 rather than 2011.

BSI is urging UK businesses that have obligations under the Carbon
Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme to focus on the potential
for savings of around 30% in their energy use; significant savings for any
business in the current financial climate. Despite changes to the scheme,
which alter the primary incentives, taking a systematic approach to energy
reduction can help businesses achieve longer-term benefits.

Key to achieving these savings is the accurate measurement and
verification of energy usage. The BSI Kitemark scheme for Energy Reduction
Verification (ERV) has been designed specifically with CRC requirements in
mind so that only greenhouse gas emissions from energy usage are taken into
account. As such it offers one of the simplest Early Action Metrics
available.

The Kitemark ERV scheme is based on the European Standard BS EN 16001,
which has the unique advantage of using a management systems based approach
to support the human and organizational cultural aspects of energy efficiency
initiatives to drive down energy use, and therefore costs, systematically
year on year.

Rob Wallis, BSI Managing Director, EMEA Region, comments: "These changes
do not materially diminish the scope for substantial financial gain and
energy management saves businesses a significant amount of money. It remains
firmly in the interest of UK plc to engage fully with the CRC scheme on a
financial as well as environmental level, especially in what we are told will
be more challenging times. We have noticed a considerable uptake of the
Kitemark scheme from businesses keen to meet the scheme requirements in the
simple and credible manner."

NOTES TO EDITORS

About BSI Group

BSI Group is a global independent business services organization that
inspires confidence and delivers assurance to over 80,000 customers with
standards-based solutions. Originating as the world's first national
standards body, BSI has over 2,500 staff operating in over 140 countries
through more than 50 global offices. BSI's key offerings are:

    - The development and sale of private, national and international
    standards and supporting information that promote and share best
    practice

    - Second and third-party management systems assessment and certification
    in all critical areas of management disciplines

    - Greenhouse gas emissions verification for the voluntary and mandatory
    reporting schemes

    - Testing and certification of services and products for Kitemark(R) and
    CE marking to UK, European and international standards. BSI is a Notified
    Body for 15 New Approach EU Directives

    - Certification of high-risk, complex medical devices

    - Performance management software solutions

    - Supply chain security solutions which identify and mitigate risks in
    supply chains

    - Training services in support of standards implementation and business
    best practice.

BSI and Kitemark(R) were both voted UK Business Superbrands in 2010, by
independent brand experts.

    CONTACT:

    Claire Lynam
    BSI
    Head of Communications & Alliances, EMEA
    Email: Claire.lynam@bsigroup.com
    www.bsigroup.com/energykitemark

    For further information on the BSI Kitemark(R) scheme for
    Energy Reduction Verification (ERV) please email
    certification.sales@bsigroup.com, or visit
    www.bsigroup.com/energyKitemark

Claire Lynam, BSI, Head of Communications & Alliances, EMEA, Email: Claire.lynam at bsigroup.com; For further information on the BSI Kitemark(R) scheme for Energy Reduction Verification (ERV) please email certification.sales at bsigroup.com, telephone +44(0)8450-0800-9000