- 1,442 people are currently involved in standards development in Ireland, covering everything from plumbing to aeroplane cabin air quality
- NSAI Annual Report 2017 reveals 1,490 standards for businesses, communities and individuals were published last year, bringing the Irish standards catalogue to 23,000
- Report also shows 270 petrol pumps and 30 taximeters failed initial inspections last year, while a Donegal fish processor was prosecuted for tampering with weighing scales
- Minister Breen welcomes publication of Annual Report and thanks experts for developing the standards of the future
Irish experts are leading the way in creating global standards, working to develop some of the 1,490 carefully-designed guidelines published by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) last year in areas such as construction, medical devices, technology and food.
The authority’s 2017 Annual Report, published today, reveals that 1,422 people are involved in standards-making in Ireland, up 353 on 2016. Last year, NSAI’s standards creators voted on the introduction of the world’s first Health and Safety Management standard and attended the first international meeting on blockchain standards in Sydney.
The NSAI also continues to play a critical role in proving assurance to consumers that the various measurement instruments they come into contact with on a daily basis are accurate. In 2017, the NSAI inspected over 14,000 instruments including taxi meters, petrol pumps and supermarket scales. It’s through the NSAI that consumers can rely on and have confidence in measurement in trade.
Commenting on the publication of the Annual Report, Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen said:
As the global language of business, standards are crucial in today’s fast-paced and competitive marketplace. I would encourage anyone who is keen to shape the future of an industry, service or product to get involved with NSAI’s standards development committees and have their say on the evolution of their sector, both at home and abroad.
The three standards experts mentioned above are part of a 1,442-strong team which is currently involved in standards development in Ireland, covering everything from plumbing to aeroplane cabin air quality. There were 353 more people sitting on NSAI development committees in 2017 when compared with 2016, showing a strong commitment by Irish businesses to standards development. The number of people choosing to help shape the standards of the future online also increased by 15%, with 2,457 people now registered to NSAI’s ‘Your Standards, Your Say’ web portal.
Taking all standards development activities into account, NSAI published 1,490 standards last year, bringing to 23,000 the number in NSAI’s extensive collection, covering all interests, industries and sectors. 2017 saw the revision of the Reactive Pyrite standard, which is used by experts to assess buildings affected by the mineral, as well as the standard for timber post and rail roadside fencing.
Standards enhance competitiveness, build reputations, support national regulators, and deliver growth. NSAI is a strong and respected Irish voice on the world stage, fighting every day for Irish businesses and consumers to ensure that products and services are competitive, safe and fit for purpose,
said Geraldine Larkin, NSAI Chief Executive.
Our network of standards professionals is spread right across the country engaging and assisting local businesses to innovate, compete and trade in new markets
she added.
NSAI’s 2017 Annual Report also reveals that its Legal Metrology division inspected 14,763 measuring instruments used in trade last year, including 7,692 petrol and diesel pumps. Of those inspected, 270 were found to be dispensing fuel inaccurately and warnings were issued.
Of the 698 taximeters inspected for accuracy, 30 failed on first inspection while 322 supermarket scales were found to be weighing incorrectly out of the 4,580 inspected.
In addition, following an NSAI Legal Metrology inspection, a Donegal fish processing plant and a company director were fined €45,000 in total for tampering with weighing scales used to measure incoming fish catches.
With the continued strong growth in the construction sector, NSAI saw a rise in demand for its construction-related services in 2017. There were 646 construction products CE Mark audits carried out by NSAI staff, while the number of NSAI-registered insulation installers now stands at 226.
Motor vehicle approvals granted during the past year rose one per cent to 8,309. NSAI issued 5,360 national and 2,949 European automotive approvals for vehicles, their components and systems in 2017, focusing on issues such as emissions, engine power, tyres and seat belts.
NSAI’s Medical Devices division also saw growth, adding 21 new customers in 2016 and issuing 15 new CE Product certificates to companies.
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NSAI Annual Report 2017 – Main Findings
- NSAI published a total of 1,490 international, European and Irish standards in 2016 contributing to a library in excess of 23,000
- 14,763 measuring instruments used in trade inspected last year by NSAI Legal Metrology
- 30 taximeters tested failed first inspection and were issued warnings (698 inspected)
- 322 supermarket scales tested by NSAI inspectors failed first inspection (4,580 inspected)
- 270 liquid fuel dispensers (petrol/diesel pumps) tested failed first inspection and were issued warnings
- 8,309 motor vehicle approvals granted by NSAI to manufacturers
- 646 construction related audits were conducted in areas such as external wall insulation systems, window energy ratings, product certifications, air tightness and cavity bead insulation