NSAI
The National Standards Authority of Ireland(NSAI) is the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) member bodyfor the Republic of Ireland. The NSAI is also a member of the EuropeanOrganisation for Technical Approvals.
The NSAI was established by the NationalStandards Authority of Ireland Act, 1996. In 1946 standards functions were theresponsibility of Institute for Industrial Research and Standards, in 1988 theypassed to Eolas — The Irish Science and Technology Agency, and in 1994 passedto Forfás before passing to the NSAI.
As Ireland’s official standards body, theNSAI aims to inspire consumer confidence and protect industry interests throughsetting standards and issuing certification in the quality and safety of goodsand services. The NSAI benchmarks these standards against international bestpractice and is therefore a key facilitator of fair trade both in Ireland andin global markets.
The NSAI provides knowledge-based servicesand technical support to the Irish Government, consumers and industry, through:
Consultation on standards to assistmanufacturers and suppliers in meeting safety and consumer requirements;
Independent certification of products,processes and services;
Certification specific to the constructionindustry, known as ‘a(chǎn)grément’;
Regulatory control in the area of measures,or metrology;
Maintenance and development of the nationalmeasurement standards.
As well as domestic activities, the NSAIalso represents Ireland in European and international standards bodies, whoseaim is to harmonise standards and remove technical barriers to trade.
