Product certification
Before a product can be certified, it must first undergo a process of inspection and testing to ensure it meets:
- Minimum quality assurance standards
- Any relevant legal requirements.
Certification procedure
The stringency of the inspection and testing procedure varies depending on the nature of the product and its intended use. Components used in aerospace, for example, must undergo rigorous safety testing before being certified fit for purpose.
The certification process is conducted by authorities appointed by national governments. In the Republic of Ireland, NSAI is the main body responsible for product certification.
Certification categories
Our product certification services can be divided into two broad categories:
- CE Marking, which is now a legal requirement for many products sold in the European Union
- Irish Standard Mark (ISM) a system of quality control supervised by NSAI.
Specific certification schemes
In addition to our general certification services, NSAI operates individual certification schemes for specific product and service groups. These include:
- Security Systems – based on I.S. EN 50131/1:1997, which covers alarm and intrusion systems and I.S. EN 50132 which covers CCTV systems
- Staffed Security – based on I.S.999:2004 , which is now a compulsory requirement for companies supplying security guards
- Food Hygiene and Safety – based on BRC Global Standard for Food Safety, which covers the retail, catering and food producing sectors
- Electrical Products – with plugs, sockets and leads in Ireland different from the rest of Europe, NSAI has developed additional standards for electrical products
- Fire Alarms – I.S. 3218:2009 sets out a code of practice for fire alarm and detection systems, together with the essential principles of good design and installation
- Timber Certification – NSAI supports the timber industry through a range of timber certification and inspection schemes
- Ready Mix Concrete – based on I.S. EN 206-1, which obliges producers to conform to a range of requirements designed to improve quality and consistency.
Contact us via phone, fax or email for further advice about our product certification schemes.
Certification
Tom Byrne
Manager
Business Development
T: +353 1 807 3925
F: +353 1 807 3938
E:
Tom.Byrne@nsai.ie
Paddy Breen
Director
Certification
T: +353 1 807 3890
F: +353 1 807 3844
E: +
Paddy.Breen@nsai.ie
Richard Hadfield
Manager
Technical Services
T: +353 1 807 3859
F: +353 1 807 3844
E:
Richard.Hadfield@nsai.ie
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