The Business Continuity Management System standard, BS 25999-2, was issued in late 2007.  It sets out the requirements for companies wanting to demonstrate that they have systems in place to cope with situations,such as supply chain disruption, that could affect their ability to continue to operate effectively. There is considerable interest in this standard and its application, both in the UK and overseas. Companies are using this as part of their overall risk management strategy. UKAS has been running a project to develop our approach to the assessment of certification bodies that wish to certify companies to this standard. This project has reached the stage where we have been able to accredit two certification bodies for this standard (LRQA and BSI Management Systems, the accreditation schedules may be found on the Accredited Bodies section of this website). Other certification bodies that took part in the pilot assessment programme phase of the project, continue to progress towards accreditation.  UKAS is now able to accept new applications from certification bodies for this standard.