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Standards play a crucial role in Ireland’s economy; they keep us safe and encourage businesses to innovate and develop best practice.

Dara Calleary TD Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is recognising the collaborative efforts of thousands of experts in Ireland who are contributing to advancing the cause of the development of standards for a digital world. 

The event, hosted in connection with World Standards Day, saw NSAI hosting delegates from across Ireland at the NSAI Standards Forum and Awards Ceremony. This event recognises the important work that standards committee members undertake throughout the year. The annual forum and awards ceremony was opened by Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary TD.  

The theme of the Standards Forum for 2024 is Standards and the Digital World. The primary objective of this event is to celebrate individuals who contribute to standards development across a wide range of areas and to raise awareness of how standards are helping to support the digital transformation of all sectors. The work of the many members in our standards committees is a key enabler on this journey at both national and international level.  

Pictured: Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary TD speaking at the ceremony said: 

“The NSAI does such important work, both for Irish businesses and consumers. Standards play a crucial role in Ireland’s economy; they keep us safe and encourage businesses to innovate and develop best practice. Standards have a key role in disseminating new knowledge and the development and promotion of state-of-the-art practices in all areas of industry.  They are also an essential tool in supporting the implementation of national policies such as “Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework” and “Connecting Government 2030: A Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service. Thank you to all those in the NSAI who have worked to develop both Irish and European Standards in these vital areas for the betterment of both the public and private sectors.” 

In recent years, digital technologies have become increasingly pervasive in our everyday lives from the way we socialize, shop, work and entertain ourselves. The standards that are being developed provide a common framework for digital technology applications. They also complement regulations and laws, contributing to digital transformation governance. Adoption of standards ensures compatibility and interoperability among services, products, and processes, while guaranteeing minimum levels of quality and safety. 

Speaking to the importance of World Standards Day, NSAI Chief Executive, Geraldine Larkin said: 

 “Our forum and awards ceremony recognises the ongoing contribution of standards, and the standardisation community in Ireland, in shaping a safer, better and sustainable world. World Standards Day highlights the importance of standards in today’s economic environment and the valuable work of the experts who contribute to the development of standards. The advancement of standards in the area of the digital supports the competitiveness of Ireland on a global scale by displaying leadership in this evolving sector.” 

Pictured: Auveen O'Donnell, Architect and BIM Coorindator, HTL Tech

The NSAI Awards award categories and the winners include: 

1997 Award Winners: Ian Boylan (Target Energy), David Lewis (TCD ADAPT Centre), Seamus Maguire (Medtronic), Michael Crowley (Gas Networks Ireland) 

  • NSAI 1997 Award: Given to members of NSAI Committees in recognition of their significant contribution to national and international standardisation over many years 

Caighdeán Óir Award Winner: Terry Landers, Microsoft Ireland (retired) 

  • NSAI Caighdeán Óir Award: The Caighdeán Óir Award is awarded in recognition of exceptional and dedicated contribution to standardisation nationally and internationally through their leadership and technical expertise.   

Standards Innovation Award 2024 Winners: Divyanshu Sood (UCD), Justin Kinsella (HTL Tech) 

  • NSAI Innovation Award: Given to individuals and organisations that embed standards development into their research, development or innovation activities 

IEC 1906 Award Winner: James Francis Kelly, Ocean Energy Ireland 

  • IEC 1906 Award: The 1906 Award is granted in recognition of exceptional recent individual achievements - a project or other specific contribution - which helped advance IEC activities in a significant way. 

Our forum and awards ceremony recognises the ongoing contribution of standards, and the standardisation community in Ireland, in shaping a safer, better and sustainable world.

Geraldine Larkin NSAI CEO

Standards are not always evident, but they impact every aspect of life, from energy efficiency requirements of household appliances to connectivity of mobile phones. Standards provide business, government and society with a platform for positive change.  They help enable trade, protect the consumer, and ensure that products and services can be relied upon nationally and across the world.  

NSAI is always seeking individuals with a variety of backgrounds to join their technical standards committees to make a positive impact on our environment. By introducing new concepts and ideas to a standards committee, researchers and innovators can promote multi-stakeholder quality standards development and gain professional recognition from industry peers, all while helping to establish a new and improved norm which could contribute to Ireland’s ambitious climate targets. 

NSAI invites individuals and organisations to become part of the solution and to get involved in the development of standards by visiting nsai.ie/standards/standards-committees. Alternatively, interested parties can have a say on new standards being developed by visiting nsai.ie/standards/your-standards-your-say/.  

Pictured: Minister Dara Calleary and Geraldine Larkin with Award Winner Divyanshu Sood

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