Along with 26 organisations from 16 different counties, WEEE Ireland was honoured at a special certificate presentation ceremony at the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) offices in Dublin recently.
All of the businesses and bodies that achieved certification were independently audited by NSAI inspectors to ensure they complied with the standards. They all join an elite group of over 3,000 organisations who are currently NSAI-certified in a variety of areas such as Quality Management Systems, Environmental Management Systems, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and Energy Management.
The recognised organisations were presented with their certificates by the Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen. “Progressive Irish organisations have always embraced the applications of standards and recognise their relevance to long-term economic success of their businesses. In an international trading environment, this helps to build Ireland’s global reputation and strength,” he said.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, NSAI Chief Executive Geraldine Larkin highlighted the importance of businesses using standards in uncertain times.
“The question for Irish industry is not what you gain from standards and certification; it’s the business opportunities lost without them. Globally recognised standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001 provide you with instant credibility: they differentiate your products, services and business,” she explained. In other news from the organisation, WEEE Ireland recently announced that it is set to continue its fundraising partnership with LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice. The renewed commitment for a further five years will see WEEE Ireland donate vital funds to the Hospice as an incentive for the recycling of waste batteries until at least 2022.
Since the partnership began, WEEE Ireland has donated €335,000 to LauraLynn, a figure that has been powered year- after-year by the households, businesses and schools across Ireland returning waste batteries. Over the same period, WEEE Ireland has recycled an incredible 4,209 tonnes of waste batteries. The organisation’s EU battery recycling target is to recycle 45% of waste batteries placed on the market annually in Ireland. As householders use more and more batteries in small electrical appliances this means that every battery recycled in a WEEE Ireland blue battery box is more important than ever before.
Commenting on the renewal of the partnership, WEEE Ireland CEO, Leo Donovan, said, “Everyone at WEEE Ireland is delighted to continue supporting LauraLynn and the vital services and care they provide for families for another five years. We’re con dent that powered by the continued support of the people of Ireland, the years to come will be our most successful yet and WEEE Ireland will continue to play a vital role in helping the State to reach its EU waste battery recycling targets.”
