Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Working for a better beauty future
We report on Europe-wide standards that will affect you
A set of Europe-wide standards are due to be set in 2014 which will legislate the beauty industry.
The National Standards Authority of Ireland, along with a number of industry representatives, has been tasked with representing the industry's viewpoint.
The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is Ireland's official standards body and was established under the National Standards Authority of Ireland Act 1996. It is accountable to the Minister of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. The NSAI is working with individuals representing different sectors of our industry as part of the NSAI Irish Mirror Committee.
This committee, currently chaired by June Lane, Managing Director of Pulsar Treatments, has a role to consult with the beauty salon industry in Ireland in order to develop the national viewpoint in relation to standards development.
All sections of the beauty industry are represented on the Committee including educators, beauty salons, self-employed beauty therapists, distributors and insurers, including Associated Irish Therapists (AIT).
As part of the European Union, Ireland has a commitment to ensure educational standards are maintained, and CEN TC 409 is the committee tasked with developing a European Standard for Beauty Salon Services, which will be adopted by 31 countries in Europe. These standards are due to be published circa 2014.
Carina Fagan of FHT, VTCT and a supporter of NABTET Teacher Training, is the Independent Chair of the European CEN Technical Committee 409 and a member of the Irish Mirror
86
Committee. "I really hope that people realise that this is a national and European project, with transparent processes and an inclusive function which allows for competitors and colleagues alike to sit round the table and contribute to the development of a European Standard, which is for the common good of the industry here in Ireland," she told us.
European Standards
European Standards (ENs) support and inform European legislation and national policy, enhance consumer confidence in a sector, diminish trade barriers and encourage business growth. The current scope of the proposed European Standard includes competency of beauty salon staff, qualifications, CPD, health, hygiene and safety, facilities and beauty treatments.
Committee Chair June Lane comments: "The CEN TC 409 standard is a fantastic development for our industry, and it is my hope that more industry professionals will come on board to help develop the European Standard. It is very important that all areas of the beauty industry have a voice in Europe."
Brett Fairholm, committee member and Director of Associated Irish Therapists, adds: "This is fantastic opportunity to help shape the future of beauty education across Europe. Since its inception, AIT has focussed on training, standards and professionalism within the beauty sector. Education of therapists, both new to the industry and existing salon owners, through continual professional development is the benchmark of the membership section of AIT. We are delighted to have this opportunity and believe it will
make a vast difference to standards."
The NSAI Irish Mirror Committee to CEN TC 409 has recently received many applications from new members who are interested in participating and having their beauty salon businesses' viewpoint represented at a European level.
Beauty industry professional Caroline Curran comments: "For the professional image of the industry, in order to gain client respect, it is vital that we have a unified standard to work with as therapists. There are such massive variations that even a few salons with reputations for poor service can have a rippling impact on the wider industry."
Jennifer Coady of Beautilicious Beauty Salon, Waterford, says: "I hope to gain standardisation, quality, peace of mind and a customer-centred practice, and the issues I hope to have addressed are poor practice, litigation and higher standards of service and qualifications to offset people setting up business from home etc after just completing a two-day or a week long course."
Jennifer believes that a high level of commitment to quality and progression will ultimately reduce the number of customers complaining about the pricing in salons.
The European Standard will have an effect on all stakeholders in the beauty industry, and this is your opportunity to be an instrumental part of it.
If you are interested in participating in the Irish Mirror Committee, please contact the Committee Secretary, Linda Hendy, through the NSAI website at
www.nsai.ie
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92