Welcome to the NSAI portal dedicated to Irish SME's
Small businesses play a vital role in the Irish Economy. Across Europe nearly 99% of all European companies are SME's employing almost 81 million people, providing 66% of Europe's total employment. In Ireland, almost 200,000 small and medium sized enterprises employ over 655,000 people. Therefore it is recognised that small businesses are a key contributor to the economy and are crucial for growth and employment.
Standards should form an important part of a company's strategy to remain competitive. In the current market where competition is fierce and resources are scarce it has never been a better time to use standards to:
- attract and assure customers
- demonstrate market leadership
- create competitive advantage
- develop and maintain best practice
- open new market areas.
European and international standards are a way of getting acceptance of products & services in the ever increasing global market. NSAI is committed to helping SME's find out more about standards and to facilitate participation in standard development. This portal is developed to provide information to SME's about the benefits of standards and participation in the standard development process.
Information Updates
SME & Standardization conference – 28th May 2013, Brussels
European Standards Organisations, national standards bodies and business associations are working together to improve the value of standards for SMEs, and to make sure that every business can take full advantage of all that standards have to offer.
This European Conference will mark the conclusion of the SMEST 2 Project, supported by the European Commission and EFTA, which has been preparing an SME Standardization Toolkit. This toolkit is being developed for the standardization community and for business associations to facilitate the involvement of SMEs in standardization activities, and access to the results.
Read more: www.cencenelec.eu/News/Events/Pages/EV-2012-013.aspx
ISO & SMEs
Discover the new video launched by ISO that shows how International Standards can help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to be more competitive on global markets.
SME Portal Resources
The information is provided under the following hyperlinked headings:
SME Testimonials
Standardizers from Industry provide some feedback
on the benefits of participating in standard development
Fergal Madden, Cold Chon Ltd: '...familiar with standards before it came into the public domain...'
Read more
Dr Michael Peirce, Daon: '...giving us an early to market competitive edge...'
Read more
Michael McLaughlin, DecWave Ltd: '...attract customers and investment...'
Read more
Ed. Gray, Drimroe Software: '..the more people that are involved the better the adoption rate..'
Read more
Wm Egenton, Dromone Eng. Ltd: '..we've broadened our network & gained access to experts..'
Hear more
Gerard Joyce, LinkResQ Ltd: '...a head-start in taking advantage of opportunities...'
Read more
The video below gives an insight into the impact of standards and the participation on working groups.
Other video testimonials and information can be found on the
NSAI Media Channel
Search International Standard development committees
Find out what standard development committees are working on at CEN, CENELEC, ISO, IEC. Full lists of committees, their work programmes, the standards they have published and are currently working on can be accessed from the links below:
CEN – European Committee for Standardization
ISO – International Standards Organisation
CENELEC – European Committee for Electro- technical Standardization
IEC – International Electro-technical Commission
Getting involved in standard development
Participation in international standard development work is possible through NSAI. This can be done at a national level by participating in any of our
National Standards Consultative committees or by being nominated as a technical expert to an international committee. Any queries regarding participation in standard development at a national or international level please contact
NSAI Standards
Your Standards, Your Say
Your Standards, Your Say provides the full draft versions of indigenous Irish Standards, CEN European Standards and eventually CENELEC European Standards and International Standards, for public review and comment. For the Benefits of using
Your Standards, Your Say and How to Login and comment.
Review and comment on draft standards in the following sector areas:
Building & Construction | Mechanical Engineering
Chemicals, Chemical Engineering & Food Products | Metallic Materials
Electrical Engineering | Non-Metallic Materials
Electronic Engineering | Products for Household & Leisure Use
Fundamental Standards | Services
Health, Environment & Medical Equipment | Transport, Mechanical, Handling & Packaging
Information Technology
Download - Review - Comment
Get the list of NSAI Standard Consultative Committees and
Get involved in Standards development
Publications
- SMEs & Standards: Guide to the European Standardsization Process
- 10 Good Things ISO standards can do for SMEs
- Thousands of standards are sold each year
Find out what were the Top Selling Standards of 2012
- Standardization for SMEs: Building on the benefits
- ISO 9001: What does it mean in the Supply Chain?
Purchasing Standards
Irish Standards are a valuable national asset. They can help you improve the quality, design and safety of your products and streamline your organizational procedures. NSAI develops and publishes Irish Standards for the benefit of producers and consumers alike.
- Buy Standards online - view the details of many standards up to and including the standard scope
- Standard Sales Leaflet
- Tailored Update Service
- Click to View
CE Marking and Certification
Useful Links and Email Contacts
Here we have listed details of bodies and organisations that a SME may find useful incl. government, regulators and business support agencies.
CEN-CENELEC SME Helpdesk
The
CEN-CENELEC SME Helpdesk is the one stop service point to introduce SMEs to the benefits of European standardization and to the business tools required to access the European Standardization System of CEN and CENELEC. In order better to address the questions raised to the SME Helpdesk, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page is available. To send a question to the SME Helpdesk please email
sme@cencenelec.eu