23rd May 2017
- 63% of organisations that took part in an NSAI Brexit survey believe a hard border with the North would be bad for business
- Just over half of respondents think that Brexit will negatively impact their business
- The survey comes as 23 organisations achieve certification to world-class business standards
- NSAI Chief Executive advises that being certified will be an advantage post-Brexit
Almost two-thirds of Irish organisations believe that a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic would negatively impact their business, according to a new survey conducted by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).
A further 14 per cent of respondents who took part in the online poll said they didn’t know whether customs controls along the 500km frontier would harm their trade, while 23 per cent said they believed it would have no impact.
With just under a month to go until Brexit negotiations are predicted to officially start; Irish businesses are split as to whether the UK’s exit from the European Union will affect how they operate.
55 per cent of the organisations surveyed believe that Brexit as a whole will negatively impact their organisation. A further 19 per cent said it wouldn’t, while 26 per cent said they don’t know.
The survey comes as 23 organisations from the private, public and SME sectors gathered at NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) offices in Dublin today for a special ceremony marking their achievement in becoming certified to world-class standards.
All of the organisations who 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, Asset Management Systems, and the Human Resource framework, Excellence Through People.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony in Dublin this morning, NSAI Chief Executive Geraldine Larkin highlighted the importance of businesses using standards in uncertain times.
“Certification helps support businesses as they develop and grow. Additionally, standards help to create a greater sense of pride within an organisation, increase staff satisfaction and improve staff retention,” said Ms Larkin.
"With Brexit looming, it appears that British pre-qualification requirements for tendering may begin to demand certification to ISO international standards as a prerequisite. I urge all Irish organisations who may be considering this route to be prepared,” she added.
The 23 organisations, with offices or facilities in 14 different counties, were presented with their certificates by the Minister for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen TD.
"Achieving certification takes hard work and dedication. It can only occur when a team of smart, competent, dedicated people work together, but it also takes great leadership and a team effort,” said Minister Breen.
“Standards play a pivotal role in supporting Ireland’s continuing economic recovery by significantly boosting trade and GDP and creating new jobs,” he 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.
For further information, visit NSAI.ie, like us on Facebook at NSAI or follow us on Twitter @NSAI_Standards
ENDS
Photography by Conor McCabe info@conormccabe.ie or call 085 7057255
NSAI Head of Business Excellence Fergal O’Byrne is available for interview
To arrange, please contact NSAI Press Officer, Aidan Kelly on (087) 212 8746
Email: aidan.kelly@nsai.ie
NOTES TO THE EDITOR:
Full list of companies certified at today’s NSAI certification ceremony:
- Antaris Consulting, Limerick City
- Aurivo Co-Operative Society Ltd, Finisklin, Co. Sligo
- BioMarin International Ltd., Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork
- Celestica, Leixlip, Co Kildare
- Delmec Engineering Ltd, Graiguecullen, Co. Carlow
- Egis Road and Tunnel Operation Ireland, North Dock, Dublin City
- FreightSpeed, Citywest, Co. Dublin
- Fulbourn Medical Ireland Ltd, Trim, Co. Meath
- Geodis Ireland Ltd, Mulhuddart, Co. Dublin
- Jones Engineering Group, Dublin City
- Regulatory and Scientific Affairs (Europe and Russia), Naas, Co. Kildare
- Lagan Brick, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan
- Linesight, Dublin City
- McGrattan & Kenny Ltd., Dublin City
- Mylan Teoranta, Casla, County Galway
- National Radio Cabs, Dublin City
- National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin City
- NER Recycling, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin
- Odyssey Validation Consultants Limited, Sallins, Co. Kildare
- Shell E&P Ireland Limited, Belmullet, Co Mayo.
- Suretank Ltd, Dunleer, Co. Louth
- Teleflex Medical Europe Ltd, Athlone. Co Westmeath
- Woodfab Timber Limited, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow
The standards awarded to companies today include:
- ISO 14001 - Environmental Management Systems
- OHSAS 18001 - Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems
- ETP - Excellence Through People
- ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems
- ISO 55001 – Asset Management Systems
Survey Results:
Q1: Do you believe that BREXIT will negatively impact your organization?
YES 55%
NO 19%
DON’T KNOW 26%
Q2: Will a 'hard border', involving border controls between north and south, or between Britain and Ireland, negatively impact your organization?
YES 63%
NO 23%
DON’T KNOW 14%
Total responses: 385, of which 75% were from Industry, 11% from a Government or State Body, 1% from Academia and 13% Other.
About NSAI:
NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) is the national standards and measurement body. Where a standard already exists, NSAI works with businesses to help them apply it. Where a standard may be needed, NSAI will work with relevant parties at national or international level to create the appropriate standard. NSAI improves the performance of Irish business and protects consumers through the setting of standards and issuing of certification in the quality and safety of goods and services.
www.nsai.ie
About Legal Metrology:
Nobody wants to pay more for their goods and services than necessary and no business wants to lose revenue. Many of our everyday purchases, including fuel, food, goods sold by weight and taxis depend on measurements. In Ireland, NSAI’s Legal Metrology Service ensures both traders and consumers can have confidence that these values are correct and that the quantities charged for are accurate.
NSAI’s Legal Metrology inspectors do this by testing traders’ measuring instruments at the point of use in factories, forecourts, supermarkets, pharmacies, shops and taxis.
Why standards matter:
Standards and measurement touch every aspect of people’s lives. Our mobile phones, our washing machines, the cars we drive and the toys our children play with, are all made to specific ‘standards’ that help to ensure that they are easy to use, work properly and are as safe as possible.
Standards also give us the information that we need to make informed choices when buying products.
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