Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2018
330. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department supports or runs information campaigns to encourage Irish businesses, SMEs and start-ups to apply for International Organization for Standardisation certification; if not, her plans to do so in the future in view of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42227/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is the State body under the aegis of my Department with responsibility for developing, publishing and selling standards to meet Irish and European needs through consultation and consensus with stakeholders and interested parties. Standards aim to improve the performance of business and protect consumers by ensuring quality and safety.
The NSAI also provides a comprehensive certification service in line with current European and international practices, offering an objective assessment of the quality and/or safety of a product or service. Certification is recognised as an authoritative statement of conformity to applicable national and international standards.
As part of its activities in standards and certification, the NSAI has annual communication and awareness campaigns to promote and facilitate Irish business engagement in the international standardisation process and to obtain internationally recognised certification to a range of management, process and product standards. The campaign profile includes:
- Radio advertising,
- On-line advertising,
- Regional Roadshows for business,
- Attendance and industry events / conferences,
- Promotion through print and social media channels, and
- Online services such as “Your Standards Your Say”.
In addition, NSAI has established a dedicated Brexit unit in the Agency. This unit is developing a response to standardisation and certification matters for Irish industry post-Brexit. NSAI is also taking part in the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready workshop events.
