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  • 63% of organisations believe a hard border with the North would be bad for business
  • Just over half of those who took part in the NSAI Brexit survey say Brexit will negatively impact their business
  • The survey comes as 24 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 the 385 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 24 organisations from the private, public and SME sectors gather at NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) offices in Dublin this morning 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 across Ireland 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 24 organisations, with offices or facilities in 15 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.


Full list of companies certified at today’s NSAI certification ceremony:

  1. Antaris Consulting, Limerick City (Management consultancy)
  2. Aurivo Co-Operative Society Ltd, Finisklin, Co. Sligo (Agrifood)
  3. BioMarin International Ltd., Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork (Biopharmaceutical manufacturing)
  4. Celestica, Leixlip, Co Kildare (Automated Manufacturing)              
  5. Delmec Engineering Ltd, Graiguecullen, Co. Carlow (Telecommunications)
  6. Egis Road and Tunnel Operation Ireland, North Dock, Dublin City (Infrastructure Maintenance)
  7. FreightSpeed, Citywest, Co. Dublin (Supply Chain)
  8. Fulbourn Medical Ireland Ltd, Trim, Co. Meath (Health)
  9. Geodis Ireland Ltd, Mulhuddart, Co. Dublin (Logistics & Transport)
  10. Jones Engineering Group, Dublin City (Engineering)
  11. Kerry Group - Regulatory and Scientific Affairs (Europe and Russia), Naas, Co. Kildare (Food Industry)
  12. Lagan Brick, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan (Construction)
  13. Linesight, Dublin City (Construction Consultancy
  14. McGrattan & Kenny Ltd., Dublin City (Engineering)
  15. Mylan Teoranta, Inverin, County Galway (Pharmaceuticals)
  16. National Radio Cabs, Dublin City (Transport)
  17. National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin City (Arts)
  18. NER Recycling, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin (Waste management)
  19. Odyssey Validation Consultants Limited, Sallins, Co. Kildare (Life Sciences)
  20. PurAcell, EKO-Vision, Birr Co. Offaly (Construction)
  21. Shell E&P Ireland Limited, Belmullet, Co Mayo. (Energy)
  22. Suretank Ltd, Dunleer, Co. Louth (Manufacturing)
  23. Teleflex Medical Europe Ltd, Athlone. Co Westmeath (Medical Devices)
  24. Woodfab Timber Limited, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow (Timber Products)


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
  • Agrément Certificate for open and closed celled spray foam insulation product

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.  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
Contact NSAI Press Officer, Aidan Kelly 


 

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