The BBC became the first organisation to achieve the ISO 9001:2001 standard for its fair trading practices.

BBC commercial activities and Fair Trading
In performing its commercial role, BBC Worldwide is fully subject to domestic and European Competition Law in the same way as any other British company. The Competition Act 1998 significantly strengthens the powers of the regulatory authorities to enforce fair trading.

In addition to these statutory provisions, and unlike its competitors, the BBC is subject to further requirements to trade fairly, arising from its Royal Charter and accompanying Agreement. These requirements, to which BBC Worldwide is also subject, are published as the BBC's Fair Trading Commitment.

This Fair Trading Commitment requires BBC Worldwide to:
•engage in commercial activities which are consistent with, and support the BBC's role as a public service broadcaster;
•pay fair charges for any goods or services received from other parts of the BBC;
•charge prices which are a fair reflection of both costs incurred and market practice.

Annual Statement on the BBC's compliance with the Fair Trading Commitment
The Governors consider that the policies contained in the BBC's Fair Trading Commitment are consistent with the requirements of the Royal Charter and the accompanying Agreement. Through the Fair Trading Compliance Committee, they have gained reasonable assurance that the framework of controls and procedures designed to ensure that these policies are applied throughout the BBC has been operating effectively throughout the year.

The BBC has appointed external Fair Trading auditors, Ernst and Young, who have also issued an opinion which concludes that nothing has come to their attention that indicates that the BBC has not complied with the requirements of its Fair Trading Commitment during the year ended 31 March 2001.

Back to top