Six contractors have become the first organisations in the world to achieve a new Kitemark for BIM (Building Information Modelling) launched yesterday by the business standards company BSI.

Balfour Beatty, BAM Ireland, BAM Construct UK, Gammon Construction, Skanska UK and voestapline Metsec all achieved the Kitemark for PAS 1192-2, which acts as seal of approval for companies qualified to deliver projects at the design and construction phase.

BIM is a collaborative way of working that uses digital technologies to enable more efficient methods of design and construction, ultimately driving out waste and inefficiency.

The Kitemark has been developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders to ensure that they add value and address the key issues which will help the construction industry with BIM implementation.

Mark Taylor, digital construction manager at BAM Construct UK, said: “BIM is a major driver for the digitisation of the construction industry, influencing its direction both in the UK and abroad.

“We were pleased to work with BSI and our peers to develop the certification, providing a clear assessment pathway to achieve the Kitemark.

“This will reassure clients and partners that we are working efficiently to the highest possible standards and that BIM processes are embedded within our systems.”

Tom Loader, head of digital transformation at Balfour Beatty, said: “Digital Integrity is an important part of delivering social and economic infrastructure as it reassures our customers that we are delivering the highest quality of information.

“Balfour Beatty was one of the first organisations to achieve this Kitemark which demonstrates our on-going commitment to digital transformation and our ability to lead in the industrialisation of information management in infrastructure.”

David Throssell, BIM and digital engineering operations manager, Skanska UK, added: “The BSI Kitemark is a respected brand. Applied to our services it will reinforce client confidence and prove greater quality in the delivery of BIM projects.”

The BSI Kitemark helps companies to demonstrate their commitment to best practice. Organisations holding the Kitemark will be routinely assessed, with a view to providing clients with complete confidence in their delivery to industry standards.

The BIM Kitemark builds on the verification scheme (PAS 1192-2) and involves sampling of completed projects, assessment of customer satisfaction through ISO 10004 Customer Satisfaction Guidelines for monitoring and measuring and uses additional assessment parameters through BS 11000 Collaborative Business Relationships. Like the verification scheme, the BSI Kitemark for PAS 1192-2 is an important component of BIM Level 2 and sets out the requirements for the design and construction phase.

Andy Butterfield, product certification director of built environment at BSI, said: “In a competitive marketplace, companies delivering BIM projects need to find a way to differentiate themselves, regardless of whether they are tendering for public or private sector projects.”