Vol. 517 No. 6
124 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the roll and function of the Irish Agrément Board; the number of applications currently under con sideration by the board; the number of applications received by the board in each of the years from 1997 to date; the staffing levels of the board; the plans, if any, to increase the staffing and resource levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10957/00]
The Irish Agrément Board – IAB – is constituted as a consultative committee of the National Standards Authority of Ireland – NSAI – the certifying authority granting agrément certification and European technical approvals.
NSAI undertakes national technical approvals and publishes agrément certificates for innovative construction and civil engineering products under Irish building regulations in accordance with the rules of the international union of agrément bodies, UEATC. Agrément certification is designed specifically to facilitate the introduction of new and innovative materials into construction. The certification provides the necessary verification of fitness for purpose of such new products.
At present there are 45 product applications under assessment and six new applications awaiting processing. The number of applications received in each of the years from 1997 to date in 2000 was as follows:
|
Year |
Number of Applications received |
|
1997 |
14 |
|
1998 |
20 |
|
1999 |
22 |
|
2000 to date |
15 |
