LONDON, ENGLAND.- A new national scheme setting out minimum standards for the UK's museums and galleries is launched today by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). The Accreditation Scheme gives clear, basic requirements for how museums should care for and document their collections, be governed and managed, and on the information and services they should offer to their visitors. It covers all museums, from major national institutions to the smallest, volunteer-run independent museums.

The Scheme builds on existing professional standards which have been extensively revised and updated to reflect people's growing expectations of visitor attractions. Greater emphasis is placed on visitor services, and MLA intends that the Scheme will be developed into a public-facing 'kite mark' or guarantee of quality for museum visitors.

Launching the new Scheme, Arts Minister Estelle Morris said: "It's important that cultural services, like other sectors, have basic minimum requirements and I'm delighted that the museum community has come together under the leadership of MLA to agree these new industry standards. By working together in this way to improve their management, collections and services, museums will be able to meet the needs of today's visitors, while at the same time safeguarding their collections for future generations."

Mark Wood, Chair of MLA, said: "People expect more of museums today. The sector has developed dramatically in recent years: we know so much more about how to care for objects, and collections and exhibitions are more exciting and engaging today than ever before. Setting an 'industry standard' will give donors and visitors alike a guarantee of quality, and will allow museums to continue to raise their game."

Tom Wright, Chief Executive of VisitBritain, commented: "Britain has some of the finest museums of the world: four out of the top five tourist attractions in the country are museums, and visitors to this country regularly cite culture and heritage as a major attraction. This new scheme will boost awareness and confidence in a sector which is already making enormous strides.

"This new scheme compliments VisitBritain's recently published quality strategy, which aims to support and stimulate continuous improvement in the quality of the tourism offer and enhance Britain's reputation as quality brand".

Accreditation sets out 'foundation level' standards for museums across four key areas: Governance and Museum Management, User Services, Visitor Facilities, and Collections Management. The standards have been developed in full consultation throughout the sector. The Scheme is administered by the nine regional agencies for museums, libraries and archives in England, and by the Scottish Museums Council, the Northern Ireland Museum Council, and CyMAL in Wales. It has been endorsed by a wide range of organisations including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Visit Britain, the Local Government Associations, and the Heritage Lottery Fund.