Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 10

Written Answers. - International Quality Standard.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

24 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce his views on whether it is essential for Irish firms to achieve the international quality standard, ISO 9000 Series, as assessed by the National Standards Authority of Ireland section of EOLAS, thus enabling them to compete internationally in the post-1992 free market; in view of the importance of achieving such standards, if he will consider introducing any incentive package to encourage firms to plan to meet the standard over the next two years; the number of firms which achieved the standard in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. O'Malley)

It is very desirable for Irish firms to attain internationally recognised standards, such as the ISO 9000 series of quality standards. Certification to ISO 9000 provides a firm with a valuable marketing tool; it also provides customers with an assurance of the quality systems employed within the firm which should make it more competitive in the marketplace.

Assistance is available from EOLAS to enable firms to upgrade quality and to install effective quality systems leading to certification by the National Standards Authority of Ireland to the ISO 9000 series of quality standards. Othe State agencies, such as the IDA and FAS, also provide assistance to firms to improve quality management.

The number of companies certified by the National Standards Authority of Ireland to IS/ISO 9000/EN 29000 since the adoption of ISO 9000 in 1987, is as follows:

Year	Companies Certified in that Year
1987	16
1988	18
1989	30
1990 (to date)	29
Total	93

Seventy four applications are currently being assessed and it is expected that an additional 45 companies will be certified by the end of 1990. Inquiries regarding certification are averaging 75 per month.