NSAI is advising Irish businesses that two of the world’s most popular standards in Quality Management (ISO 9001) and Environmental Management (ISO 14001) are set to change from this month. Key improvements will help organisations to tackle changing business conditions, from climate change to supply chain management.
These standards are used by almost 1.5 million companies worldwide, including over 3,000 in Ireland. With more than 300,000 certificates issued globally every year, ISO 14001 ranks high on the agenda of many organisations who place a significant importance on their environmental impact. ISO 9001 is the world’s most recognised standard, used by over a million firms worldwide, from giant multinational corporations to local community groups. This standard is the first port of call for organisations that have decided to strengthen, streamline or review their management procedures.
Experts from over 180 countries, who are members of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), have spent the past three years reviewing these standards to ensure they continue to help organisations improve business processes, save money and deal with future environmental challenges.
Head of Business Excellence at the National Standards Authority of Ireland, Fergal O’Byrne said increased globalisation has changed the way we do business:
“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 this new environment into account. 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.”