Government Approval for New BSI Kitemark(R) Scheme Makes Carbon Reduction Easier for UK Organisations

New Scheme Provides UK Organisations With a Superior, Easier and More Cost Effective Route to Verify Reductions in Energy Use to Meet the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme

LONDON, July 22, 2010 - BSI has announced the launch of its new Kitemark(R) scheme for
Energy Reduction Verification (ERV) which will independently verify and
certify those organisations that achieve a reduction in carbon emissions
through lower energy use. The Environment Agency has approved the scheme as
one of the Early Action Metrics that contribute to the CRC Energy Efficiency
Scheme, the UK's mandatory climate change and energy saving scheme.

The Kitemark scheme provides organisations both large and
small with a measurable means of reducing energy usage; acting as an Early
Action Metric that public and private sector organisations may adopt to
achieve and demonstrate carbon reductions. At a time when UK Plc's carbon
footprint is coming under increasing scrutiny, the scheme also allows
organisations to present clear and independent information about their energy
use performance for stakeholders including investors, regulators, specifiers
and consumers.

The scheme draws on the Kitemark brand - recognised and
trusted by over 82% of the UK population* - and provides a simpler and more
comprehensive alternative to both the Carbon Trust and CEMAR standards which
do not guarantee or provide the structure around which long term reductions
can be identified, managed and realised. Importantly, the Kitemark scheme for
ERV is also the only Early Action Metric to be based on the implementation of
an energy management system - BS EN 16001- which demands more of
organisations in that continual improvement and the ongoing identification of
energy reduction opportunities is required.

Unlike other schemes, the Kitemark scheme has been designed
specifically with CRC requirements in mind so requires that only Greenhouse
Gas emissions from energy use are taken into account; allowing organisations
to focus solely on their energy emissions rather than have carbon resulting
from transport and other sources complicate measurements.

Around 20,000 large and public and private sector
organisations will be involved in the CRC scheme on some level; however an
estimated 5,000 organisations will be required by the Government to
participate. Participation requires organisations to disclose carbon
emissions and purchase allowances for each tonne of CO2 they emit. A league
table will rank organisations according to their emissions reductions and
whether they have adopted any 'Early Action Metrics'. However, the Kitemark
scheme can also be used by organisations that, while not required to
participate in the CRC, may wish to step up to Kitemark verification to
validate the output and effectiveness of their energy management systems.

Rob Wallis, Managing Director, BSI EMEA, explains what this
new Kitemark scheme will mean for UK organisations: "With energy reduction
high on the agenda and new government initiatives being brought in to reduce
carbon emissions and climate change, organisations are looking more closely
at what they can do to make changes."

"With the publication of a list of the best performing organisations in
an annual performance league table, the scheme provides a great way for
organisations to promote their commitment to reducing energy - while making
considerable savings from reducing their energy costs. With the Kitemark
indicating a reputable company to 88% of the UK population organisations can
gain real competitive and advantage as well as credibility with this scheme."

The Environment Agency's CRC Project Executive Andrew Hitchings said: "We
are pleased to announce Kitemark as a Carbon Trust Standard equivalent scheme
under the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme. Along with the Carbon Trust Standard
and CEMARS, Kitemark allows organisations who are leading the way in
environmental management to be rewarded for their early action."

"CRC is an opportunity for organisations to show what they have already
achieved in reducing emissions through early action and provides an incentive
to achieve the further reductions which are necessary in the future."

Notes to editors:

The CRC came into effect April 2010 and requires organisations
not affected by EU Emissions Trading Scheme or Climate Change Agreement to
report on carbon reductions and pay for each tonne of CO2 they emit.

A Kitemark ERV certificate will be awarded to an organisation
meeting certain criteria and by reducing its energy use by a minimum of 2.5
per cent each year compared to the required historic data when the energy
factors have been calculated.

About Energy Management

For those new to energy management and energy management
systems, BSI and the Energy Institute are running a joint training programme.
Courses include: a one day course as an introduction to energy management
(delivered by the Energy Institute); a one day course on an introduction to
BS EN 16001; a two day course on implementing BS EN 16001; and a four and
five day auditor and lead auditor courses. For more information on these
courses, please visit our website at: www.bsigroup.co.uk/training

For those organisations that may have already implemented ISO
14001, BSI has produced a document comparing BS EN 16001 with ISO 14001. Go
to www.bsigroup.co.uk to download your copy.

* Statistics from GfK NOP Survey of 1,000 UK adults

Claire Lynam, Claire.lynam at bsigroup.com, +44(0)8450-765600