NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) is holding free information roadshows across the country in March, as almost 3,000 Irish organisations prepare for changes to two key international business standards.

ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems) and ISO 14001 (Environment Management Systems) are used by almost 1.5 million companies worldwide. Experts from over 180 countries, who are members of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), have revised these standards to ensure they continue to help organisations improve business processes, save money and deal with future environmental challenges.

UPDATED STANDARDS
Fergal O’Byrne, Head of Business Excellence at NSAI, explains that increased globalisation has changed the way we do business. “The world has changed and the revision is needed to reflect some of those changes,” he says. “The challenges faced by Irish businesses today are very different from a few decades ago, and these standards in Quality Management and Environmental  Management have been updated to take into account this new environment.

“More and more tender requirements seek certification to these standards. So if you want to remain competitive in this increasingly globalised environment, NSAI would encourage all Irish businesses to get certified to these two key international standards. By being certified, you are proving to your customers here at home and abroad that your organisation complies with the highest international standards.”

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
With more than 300,000 certificates issued globally every year, ISO 14001 ranks high on the agenda of many organisations which place significant importance on their environmental impact.

In Association with

The Environment Management Systems standard, ISO 14001, helps organisations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste, gaining a competitive advantage and the trust of stakeholders.

ISO 9001 is the world’s most recognised standard, used by over a million  firms worldwide. This standard sets out the requirements for a quality management system, and it helps organisations to be more efficient and improve customer satisfaction.

Both standards replace previous editions, and certification bodies, such as NSAI, will have up to three years to update certificates to the new version.

SEAMLESS TRANSFER
According to Maurice Buckley, CEO of NSAI: “My advice to organisations that are already certified and are concerned about the changes is not to panic. There will be no increase in cost, and it will be a seamless transfer to these new standards over  the next three years. NSAI is here to help Irish businesses adapt to the changes.

“Your NSAI auditor will talk you through the changes and help you to make adjustments, so that over the next three years you’ll be able to get your  certification to the new standard and progress at this new higher level. For businesses who are not yet certified, we would encourage you to strongly consider implementing these standards.”

The photo shows Fergal O’Byrne (left), NSAI’s Head of Business Excellence, and CEO Maurice Buckley launching the new revised ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards.

INFORMATION EVENTS
NSAI will hold information events in March for organisations who want to find out about the changes, and how they can benefit their company. The seminars are free, but registration is necessary. To book your place, visit NSAI.ie

ROADSHOW SCHEDULE
Clayton Silver Springs Hotel, Tivoli, Cork - March 1
Tower Hotel, The Mall, Waterford - March 2
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin 9 - March 3
Clarion Hotel, Clarion Rd, Sligo - March 8
Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, Galway - March 9
Castletroy Park Hotel, Castletroy, Limerick - March 10

For further information, check out the website www.NSAI.ie
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https://youtu.be/CNLsx8-8Mmg