12th June 2026
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke has announced the appointment of Mr Michael McCarthy as Chairperson to the Board of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).
On making the appointment Minister Burke said:
“I am delighted to appoint Michael McCarthy as Chairperson to the Board of the National Standards Authority of Ireland. Michael joins the NSAI at an important and challenging time as the Agency seeks to continue supporting Irish business and protecting consumers through setting standards and certifying the quality and safety of goods and services in the midst of EU and international regulatory change.
“The work of NSAI will further contribute to competitiveness and growth in Irish industry. I have no doubt that Michael’s extensive and varied experience will enable him to provide strategic direction to NSAI over the coming years and I wish him every success on his appointment".
Mr McCarthy was appointed as Chairperson to the Board of the National Standards Authority of Ireland following an open Public Appointments Service (PAS) process.
ENDS
Notes to editor:
Biography of Mr Michael McCarthy, NSAI Chairperson:
Mr James Kennedy was appointed as Chairperson to the Board of the National Standards Authority of Ireland following an open Public Appointments Service (PAS) process.
Michael McCarthy is the Director of Cloud Infrastructure Ireland and the current Chair of the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC), bringing extensive leadership experience across technology, renewable energy, housing, and public policy. He holds a distinguished background as a former member of both Houses of the Oireachtas, where he served as Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. Michael's previous leadership roles also include serving as CEO of the Irish Solar Energy Association and as Chairman of the Sophia Housing Association.
NSAI Background
Background: National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)
The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) was established in 19971 as a statutory non-commercial State organisation. It is headquartered in Northwood, Santry, Dublin and has seven regional offices and a non-profit subsidiary, NSAI Inc., based in New Hampshire, USA.
NSAI provides services to industry and the public through its Certification, Standards and functions. It is also responsible for both Legal and National Metrology functions, which ensures the accuracy of all measurements and measuring instruments used for trade and other purposes.
NSAI provides Ireland with the components necessary for an effective trading infrastructure for products and services to be developed, traded, and relied on nationally and around the world.
NSAI’s Strategy 2022 - 2026 Innovating to shape a safer, better, and sustainable future is closely aligned with key cross Government initiatives for the future years. Their work feeds into significant plans such as Housing for All, the Climate Action Plan and the Top Team on Artificial Intelligence.
- Standards
NSAI develops, publishes, distributes and sells standards to meet Irish and European needs through consultation and consensus with stakeholders and interested parties. - Legal Metrology Service
The Legal Metrology Service’s principal functions are to underpin confidence in trade measurements through exercising controls on measuring instruments and quantities of pre-packed and loose goods and to implement a national system of measurement (National Metrology). Effectively NSAI are concerned with consumer protection and fair weights and measures in trade. - National Metrology Laboratory
The National Metrology Laboratory (NML) is the national metrology body for Ireland and is responsible for the maintenance and development of the national standards for physical units and their dissemination to Irish users, mainly manufacturing industry and pharmaceuticals. - Certification Services
NSAI 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 awarded by NSAI is recognised worldwide by a network of Mutual Recognition Agreements with other major certification bodies. Certification is recognised as an authoritative statement of conformity to applicable national and international standards. NSAI Inc. provides certification services in the United States.
(a) NSAI Inc.
NSAI Inc. is a subsidiary of NSAI located in Nashua, New Hampshire and established under the NSAI Act, 1996, which provides certification services in the US. NSAI Inc. was established as a ‘Not-for-Profit’ organisation.
(b) NSAI Certification UK
The NSAI established a small subsidiary in the UK arising as a direct consequence of the UK’s departure from the EU, and the UK’s stated intention to implement its own regime for certification and marking for both medical devices and construction products, to replace the EU certification regime and the EU “CE” marking system. The UK authorities will require these certification activities to be carried out in the UK, and there were concerns as regards the capacity of other market operators in the UK to provide these certification services to Irish companies. NSAI’s presence in the UK is centred on ensuring business continuity for Irish companies exporting these products to the UK. NSAI Certification UK Limited was formally incorporated on 15 July 2021.
For further information please contact Press Office, Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, press.office@enterprise.gov.ie or (01) 631-2200
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