Clipsham walling and masonry products from Stamford Stone in Peterborough have achieved a first in carrying the Kitemark of the British Standards Institution (BSI) for BS-EN771-6.

It all started two years ago when, at the instigation of director George Wilson, Stamford Stone approached BSI to ask if there were standards available for stone companies. Just launched at that time was BS-EN771, which comes in several parts for all types of masonry including bricks and concrete blocks. Part six covers natural stone. A BSI project manager visited the company that runs the 30-acre Clipsham Medwells Quarry to start the process of assessing Stamford Stone\'s range and ensure it is produced to the standard that would entitle the company to carry the Kitemark - and the BSI Kitemark remains a high quality standard indicator, unlike the European CE mark that only shows a product has reached a minimum level of fitness for purpose.

The stone that carries the Kitemark has to be within specified tolerances of geometry and physical properties such as density and water absorption. And the systems have to be in place to ensure that the quality of manufacture is maintained and frequently checked, so that those using the products can be confident they will perform as they are supposed to.