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BS 8848: the British Standard for overseas ventures

The definitive framework for operations, field safety and risk management in ventures and activities outside the UK.

BS 8848:2014 is the British Standard for organising and managing visits, fieldwork, expeditions, and adventurous activities that take place outside the United Kingdom.

Published by the British Standards Institution (BSI), it provides a specification for providers to demonstrate they have robust safety management practices in place for any overseas venture.

The core purpose of BS 8848 is to reduce the risk of foreseeable harm for participants. It provides a nationally recognised benchmark of good practice that allows providers to show they are following a framework developed by leading experts.

The Society has been central to the development and maintenance of BS 8848 since its inception. The Society has chaired and provided expert staff and Fellows to the BSI technical committee that first drafted the standard in 2007, and has participated in every five-yearly review since.

The current edition was published in April 2014, and was reviewed without change in 2019 and 2024, with the next review scheduled for 2029. This long-term involvement is a key part of the Society’s commitment to advancing good practice in expedition and field activities.

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Who is BS 8848 for?

BS 8848 provides a framework for a wide range of users, from large organisations to individual participants. Understanding and implementing the standard ensures that ventures are operated responsibly and that everyone involved is better informed about safety management.

The standard specifies the operational requirements for organisers of ventures including but not limited to:

  • University and academic fieldwork
  • School expeditions
  • Gap year experiences
  • Adventure holidays
  • Charity challenges
  • Overseas research and commercial expeditions

For venture providers, declaring conformity with BS 8848 is a public statement of their commitment to safety. It shows they have implemented a thorough safety management system covering all aspects of the venture.

For participants, parents and guardians, the standard provides peace of mind. It empowers them to ask informed questions and to understand the safety procedures that should be in place before booking or taking part in an overseas venture.

BS 8848 compliance training

The Society offers BS 8848 compliance training workshops to help organisations adopt this comprehensive standard. These specialist sessions are designed to assist organisations in benchmarking their existing safety management systems against the requirements of BS 8848 and in producing the evidence needed to make a legitimate claim of compliance.

For information on the next BS 8848 compliance workshop, or to arrange a bespoke session, please contact us at explore@rgs.org

Consumer guidance: understanding compliance

If you are a potential customer or participant in an overseas venture, it is important to understand what a provider's claim of 'BS 8848 compliance' means.

A compliant provider should be able to clearly demonstrate how they meet the requirements of the standard by providing clear and accurate information covering areas such as leader expertise, risk management and emergency procedures, and any training requirements for participants.

Do not hesitate to ask a provider for details of their safety management systems. A reputable provider will be transparent about their procedures.

To help you understand what to look for, the BSI has produced a helpful guide for consumers.

How to purchase a copy of BS 8848:2014

The full BS 8848:2014 standard is a copyrighted document available for purchase from the British Standards Institution (BSI). You may also be able to view a copy at your local public or university library.

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