Fennell Communications Releases

Monday 14th May 2012

Standards and certification can open the door to export markets, to new business and help to reduce business risks - Perry

- ISO management system certified by NSAI enables Irish business to compete internationally

- Standards enable improved access to finance, reduce market barriers to entry and help create a more entrepreneurial culture

- British Assessment Bureau (BAB) survey - 44% of respondents had won business as a result of becoming certified

Speaking at the NSAI Standards Certificate event in Santry this morning, Minister for Small Business, John Perry T.D. said: “Standards and certification help businesses start, to grow and thrive through better business decision making processes.  They enable improved access to finance, reduce market barriers to entry and help create a more entrepreneurial culture.

“The NSAI plays an important role on the frontline of our economy, allowing organisations to take full advantage of standards by developing and making them readily available, by grouping them into sectors, disciplines and types, across a substantial and diverse range of industries, from manufacturing to engineering, from transport and construction to food and hospitality and from medical devices to the build industry.

“For SME’s especially, the decision to embrace standards and to implement them is not one taken lightly. Implementing standards can be a drain on resources, both manpower and financial. But there are clear tangible benefits. Standards can be used in the development of new products in order to reduce the resources spent on R&D and improve their ability to innovate. They can employ best practice guidelines to increase efficiency, improve safety, measure performance and thereby help to reduce business risks.

“By proving they adhere to standards, companies can win new customers and retain existing ones by demonstrating the quality of products and services, boosting the bottom line. An ISO management system certified by NSAI is very positive for the Irish economy, enabling Irish business to compete internationally at a time when Irish industry needs to be as competitive as it can be. 

“A survey by the British Assessment Bureau (BAB) showed that 44% of respondents said that they had won business as a result of becoming certified.

“Many of the companies here this morning have realised the potential of standards in this regard, and I understand that a number of companies here have specifically stated that standards have improved the reputation of their company within their specific sector, winning them new business at home and abroad.

“For the consumer, they are the invisible and often un-thought of safety net, under pinning consumer protection laws.  For businesses, standards are about changing outcomes to gain the greatest benefits. They are documents that outline the most efficient and effective way to make a product or perform a task, providing a roadmap to success.”

ENDS