Merci beaucoup Monsieur.....
Our equivalent of UL or CSA is the BSI (British Standards Institute). They publish standards specifications for electrical, plumbing, building materials, and a whole range of other everyday things.
Each particular specification is given a British Standards number, e.g. the standard for our normal 13-amp plug is BS1363. Items meeting the appropriate standard can display the BSI "Kitemark" sign.
A lot of the British Standards are set or modified by suggestion, discussion, etc. with the various associations, trade groups, and so on.
The EC is having more of an influence in recent years (I don't doubt the chief EC bureaucrats would like to take over completely). Many standards are now decided upon my a joint effort of the BSI and their counterparts in other countries. We're seeing new specificatios along the lines of BS:EN 12345 now, where the "EN" means "European Norm."
Britain is gradually adopting many Continental practices as we all converge: Our 5, 15, and 30A circuit breakers are disappearing in favor of the European 6, 16, and 32A standards for example.
There are still a lot of areas where the national institutes are unable to agree though.
