THE Irish Quality Association has changed its name and identity, and will now be known as Excellence Ireland. Announcing the name change yesterday, chief executive Mr Sean Conlan stressed that Excellence Ireland would continue to operate the Q Mark and the Hygiene Mark schemes.

The organisation's internal and external structures would also be changed in an attempt to improve its efficiency.

"Significant change has been taking place in the organisation for the past two years. Our members' needs have been changing as has the environment in which they operate. We recognised the need to build on our traditional strengths and offer a service increasingly relevant to the year 2010," according to Mr Conlan.