---
title: "BSI Kitemark — what it means"
description: "BSI has tested the product and audits the factory that makes it. What the symbol looks like, what happens if you ignore it, and where its meaning differs by country."
url: https://atoneplace.net/symbol/cert-kitemark/
site: "At One Place"
---

# BSI Kitemark

**BSI Kitemark: BSI has tested the product and audits the factory that makes it.**

## What it looks like

A heart-shaped outline formed from a single looping line, resembling a kite, with BSI beneath.

## What it means

One of the oldest product marks anywhere, in use since 1903. It is independent third-party certification with ongoing surveillance rather than a one-off test, which is what distinguishes it from a self-declared mark such as CE — the two often appear together and mean different things. Common on motorcycle helmets, smoke alarms, window glass, plumbing fittings and locks, where an insurer may specifically require it.

> Defined by BSI Kitemark scheme. Where a symbol differs between standards, the difference is described above rather than resolved — both versions are in circulation on real labels.

## Other certification marks symbols

| Symbol | Means |
| --- | --- |
| Energy Star | The product meets US Environmental Protection Agency efficiency criteria for its category. |
| Fairtrade Mark | The certified ingredients were bought on Fairtrade terms, including a minimum price and a premium paid to the producer organisation. |
| OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | Every component of the textile was tested for harmful substances and passed. |
| Woolmark | The product is made from pure new wool and meets the Woolmark performance specifications. |
| NSF certification | Tested and certified by NSF against a public health or food equipment standard. |
| GS mark (Geprüfte Sicherheit) | Tested safety — a German voluntary mark requiring independent testing and factory surveillance. |
| Kosher certification (OU and others) | A certifying agency attests that the product is kosher, often with a letter alongside for the category. |
| Halal certification | A certifying body attests that the product complies with Islamic dietary rules. |
| USDA Organic seal | At least 95% of the ingredients are certified organic under the US National Organic Program. |
| EU organic leaf | At least 95% of the agricultural ingredients are organic under EU rules. |
| Crossed grain (certified gluten free) | Independently certified to contain no more than 20 parts per million of gluten. |
| Vegan Society sunflower | Registered with the Vegan Society: no animal ingredients and no animal testing at any stage. |
| Leaping Bunny | Certified cruelty free: no animal testing by the company, its suppliers or third parties after a fixed cut-off date. |

## Common questions

### What does the bsi kitemark symbol mean?

BSI has tested the product and audits the factory that makes it.

### What does it look like?

A heart-shaped outline formed from a single looping line, resembling a kite, with BSI beneath.

## Related pages

- [CE mark](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-ce/)
- [UL Listed](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/electrical-ul-listed/)
- [GS mark (Geprüfte Sicherheit)](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/cert-gs/)
- [Energy Star](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/cert-energy-star/)
- [Fairtrade Mark](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/cert-fairtrade/)
- [OEKO-TEX Standard 100](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/cert-oeko-tex/)
- [Woolmark](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/cert-woolmark/)
- [NSF certification](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/cert-nsf/)
- [GS mark (Geprüfte Sicherheit)](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/cert-gs/)
- [Kosher certification (OU and others)](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/cert-kosher-ou/)
- [Halal certification](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/cert-halal/)
- [USDA Organic seal](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/cert-usda-organic/)
- [EU organic leaf](https://atoneplace.net/symbol/cert-eu-organic/)

## Sources

- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)