27 organisations from 16 different counties were honoured this month at a special certificate presentation ceremony, which was held in the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) offices in Dublin. All of the businesses and bodies that achieved certification were independently audited by NSAI inspectors in order to ensure they complied with the standards. They join an elite group of over 3,000 organisations who are currently NSAI-certified in a variety of areas such as Quality Management Systems, Environmental Management Systems, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and Energy Management. Those recognised this month were presented with their certificates by the Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD. “Progressive Irish organisations have always embraced the applications of standards and recognise their relevance to long term economic success of their businesses. In an international trading environment, this helps to build Ireland’s global reputation and strength,” said Minister Breen. “I want to commend each and every one of these organisations for achieving certification, which can only occur when a team of smart, competent, dedicated people work together,” he added. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, NSAI Chief Executive Geraldine Larkin highlighted the importance of businesses using standards in uncertain times. “The question for Irish industry is not what you gain from standards and certification; it’s the business opportunities lost without them. Globally recognised standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001 provide you with instant credibility: they differentiate your products, services and business,” said Ms Larkin. “Standards improve efficiency, helping you to conserve money, manpower, time, facilities, and natural resources, they improve your Health & Safety, and they help in breaking down trade barriers and open doors to new markets,” she added. NSAI invites members of the business community and the general public to get involved in the development of standards by visiting the Your Standards, Your Say web portal on www.nsainep.ie. All standards are also available from www.standards.ie Full list of companies certified at today’s NSAI certification ceremony: AHR Services, Co Cork B Braun Hospicare, Co Sligo Berendsen Northern Ireland, Co Tyrone Bord na Móna Horticulture, Co Kildare, Laois and Westmeath Boyne Valley Group, Co Louth Conductix-Wampfler Ltd, Co Wicklow Control Equipment Ltd, Co Dublin Cyclone Shredding, Co Dublin Dublin Fire Brigade Fitzsimons Insulations, Co Dublin Foras na Gaeilge Homecare Medical, Co Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Cavan and Louth Irish Sea Contractors, Co Wexford Kerry County Council Manepa, Co Dublin Marine Survey Office, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Masterlink Logistics Parkwest, Co Dublin Mayo County Fire Services Michael O’Malley Tarmacadam Contractors, Co Mayo Our Lady’s Hospital, Co Meath P O’Connor & Son, Co Mayo Reagecon Diagnostics, Co Clare Singlepoint Solutions, Co Dublin Specialist Diecutters, Co Westmeath, Galway Titan Solutions, Co Clare Vishay PM OnBoard (Ireland) Limited, Co Dublin WEEE Ireland The standards awarded to companies today include: ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems OHSAS 18001 – Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems I.S. EN ISO 13485 – Medical devices — Quality management systems ISO 50001 – Energy management I.S. EN 15713 – secure destruction of confidential information ISO 22001 – Food safety management Source: NSAI