BS 102000:2018 Investigative Services

BS 102000:2018 was published in August 2018 replacing BS 102000:2013 and is the British Standard for the provision of investigative services. 

BS 102000:2018 seeks to help providers of investigative services demonstrate their accountability at a time when the government is implementing the licensing of such services. Whilst the Private Security Industry Act 2001 contains provisions for regulating private investigations; these are yet to be introduced.

In the absence of mandatory regulation, this standard provides recommendations for the conduct, management, staffing and operational accountability for the provision of investigative services. This is achieved by providing a broad set of principles to assist all sizes of business to demonstrate the integrity of the services offered. 

To meet the requirements of the standard your organisation will need to demonstrate the following:

• You have a clearly defined management structure; 
• You work to a code of conduct; 
• Your business meets all appropriate legislative requirements including data handling and employment practices;
• You have the necessary finances, resources, competence and insurance in place; and 
• You can handle complaints appropriately 

The new 2018 version of this standard introduces:

• An enhanced definition of 'investigation'
• The introduction of a definition of 'person of interest'
• Updated references
• Reconsideration of the vetting process (BS 7858:2019 is no longer a normative document)