Certification Europe Positions Clients for Expansion into Global Markets

    DUBLIN, IRELAND, October 22, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Expanding into new international markets can be one of the best ways for companies to grow their business. Establishing credibility in those new markets can be a hurdle, especially if internationally accepted certifications are not in place. International standards prove that companies are following recognized best practices in the areas of quality, environmental management, health and safety, information security management, IT service management, energy management, and business continuity.

Certification Europe, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, has established itself as an international leader in certification and training services. Like the companies it certifies, Certification Europe's secret to success has been its ability to move into ready country markets with the right services at the right time.

Turkey is a good case in point. In just 15 months of operations, Certification Europe has served over 150 companies in that country. "We'd been watching Turkey since 2003 when we began offering ISO 27001 certification, the internationally accepted information security standard," explains Michael Brophy, CEO of Certification Europe. "We realized the potential in Turkey because we previously worked with companies like TurkCell, the country's biggest mobile phone operator. There wasn't a strong enough client base in 2003, but by 2008 the proposition had changed and we began investing in Turkey and by 2009 were offering our full portfolio of services. "

Timing is key to international success and Certification Europe's timing in Turkey was spot on. "The Turkish market is now very mature. The country is in pre-accession to European Union membership and companies there are looking at the European market as a way to expand," explains Brophy. "Certification clears barriers to trade. Turkish companies are using certification to prove to the European Union that they comply with the highest standards."

Turkey has been a great addition to the international expansion that was already underway at Certification Europe. Of the 1,500 companies that engaged Certification Europe's services last year, about 600 of them were from outside of Ireland. Offices in Belfast, Milan, Japan, and Istanbul (a new office in London is set to open soon) help serve local markets and staff from Dublin travel to the United States, Africa, and the Middle East to serve clients in those regions.

Brophy sees increases in international competition as a driver for his business and justification for certification in general. "In this economy, every tender is important and every point in the tendering process is important," he explains. "In Ireland and Europe, proving that a company meets quality and health and safety standards can be the difference between being awarded or losing a government contract."

Certification Europe is also helping clients attain go-ahead certifications in energy management and information security. "New certifications like EN 16001 (energy management), BS25999 (business continuity) and ISO 27001 (information security management) show that companies are progressive, and operate to recognized best practice. Showing those certifications on a website proves real, measured differentiation from uncertified competitors."

Helping clients across Europe and around the world achieve EN 16001 and BS 25999 (business continuity) has put Certification Europe in a leadership position. Brophy reports that Certification Europe is one of only three certification bodies in the world offering EN 16001 certification and one of five in the world offering BS 25999 certification. "We're taking these specialty standards onto the world stage and, along with our clients, capitalizing on their growth in international markets."

Certification Europe is an Irish-based, internationally-focused, impartial certification, training and inspection body. Headquartered in Dublin, they provide audit, certification and training services in the fields of Quality, Environmental, Health & Safety, Energy Management, Information Security Management, IT Service Management, TickIT and E-signatures (EU Directive). Certification Europe is accredited by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) and by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

For more information contact;
Gillian Breen
Merrion BD
01-4885849
http://www.merrionbd.ie

# # #