Sir, - The dangers facing Irish companies who fail to take the necessary steps towards adopting the new international Environmental Standard ISO 14001, and who fail to make provision for the time and cost involved, were correctly underlined by your writer, Frank McDonald in his article (May 22nd).
Of primary concern to the National Standards Authority is the fear that many Irish companies, especially those engaged in the processing and pharmaceuticals sectors, will adopt a "last minute" approach before embarking on a programme to acquire ISO 14001.
It is important that industry is reminded that the time required to secure a full ISO 14001 Environmental Management System may well run into years by which time, as Mr McDonald points out, Irish companies could find themselves at a competitive disadvantage compared with their international rivals who had the foresight to acquire the Standard at an earlier stage. For that reason, time is of the essence. Furthermore, in satisfying the requirements of ISO 14001, companies may need to invest significant sums of money to bring their processes and facilities up to the required level - investment for which early provision may be required. - Yours, etc., Ewing Paterson,
Director of Standards, National Standards Authority of Ireland, Dublin 9.