The National Standards Authority of Ireland with the sponsorship of the Institute of Directors convened a workshop to produce a SWiFt specification for the assessment of governance in Irish companies and State bodies.
The Code sets out a methodology for assessment of board corporate governance practices. It is suitable for application to public and private enterprises in Ireland.
It is the first standard in the world establishing a framework for an independent assessment and certification scheme.

Members of the Association of Accredited Certification Bodies (AACB) are have put in place the auditor competence and assessment criteria and are now offering certification.
The Code can be downloaded from the AACb website at http://www.aacb.ie/swift3000.htm

The assessments involve a rigorous examination of the board in such areas as; appointment, composition, competence, independence, remuneration, information, reporting, accountability and audit.