Keep Your Head Intact

Northern Group Systems Environmental Health Service is one of the four Group Environmental Health Services in Northern Ireland established by statute. It's role is to assist and support the councils by providing a specialist environmental health service.

District councils within Northern Ireland are discharged with the consumer protection function, which is carried out by Trading Standards Officers in the remainder of the UK. In fulfilling this role we aim to ensure that all goods supplied to the public are safe.

The market surveillance exercise, carried out in 2008, proved to be a very positive experience for both BIS (Department of Business, Innovation and Skills) and the Environmental Health Service in Northern Ireland.

Mr Dennis Nathanielsz from BIS reported that the exercise nurtured an excellent partner relationship with NGS (Northern Group Systems) and give a comprehensive insight into implementation of the safety regulations.

Mrs Pauline Herbison from NGS states 'All European colleagues in attendance at Prague expressed a keen interest in the market surveillance work and intend to use the report for similar exercises in their respective countries. The promotional leaflet and poster has been a positive move forward in increasing awareness of the importance of safety messages in relation to cycle helmets.'

(visit the ROSPA website to find out more information on the importance of cycle helmets and accidents related to cycling.)

(Visit Road Safety GB for reports on bicycle safety and the importance of cycle helmets.)

(Visit the Road Safety Council (NI) for cycling advice on NI roads.)