Downloading the FileOpen plugin for British Standards Online
03/06/2025

You need to install and use a FileOpen plugin on your device to access any document you find on British Standards Online (BSOL). This protects BSOL’s digital assets from copying, piracy, and unauthorized sharing.
You will need an internet connection to open the documents for the first time. Once your documents have been authenticated, you will be able to access the documents offline.
What do I need to do?
You will also need a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Acrobat Reader or Kofax Power to read the document. If you experience any issues opening the PDF please find the file in the Downloads area on your device and choose the ‘Open with’ option to select your PDF reader.
Have a problem?
You can contact our IT Service Desk for help installing FileOpen.
BSOL have also advised us of a specific problem opening documents using Google Chrome. If you experience a problem, please follow these steps:
- Go into settings and scroll down to the privacy and security section.
- Click on ‘Site settings’
- Scroll down and click on ‘PDF settings’
- Ensure ‘Download PDF file instead of automatically opening them in Chrome’ is switched on
Operating system requirements:
- Windows 10 or later with Adobe Reader/Adobe Acrobat 10.0 or later
- Mac OS X 12.0 or above with Adobe Reader/Adobe Acrobat DC version 22.003.20310 or higher
- iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, iOS 11 or later
- Android 2.2 +
Questions?
If you have any other questions about FileOpen or using British Standards Online, please contact the Library Resources team who will be happy to help you.
Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay
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Hi hope you can help – struggling to down load the PDF to give me continued access to British Standards
Hi Graeme,
What client are you using, e.g. Windows, MAC etc…, and I’ll email you a copy of the applicable PDF.
Thanks.
Helen