ISO TS 22163 (IRIS) certification
Quality management for the railway industry
The International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS) is the global benchmark for quality management in the railway industry. The standard was launched in May 2006 by the European industry association UNIFE (Union des Industries Ferroviaires Européennes) with the aim of achieving a uniform standard for suppliers and thus the best possible quality throughout the entire manufacturing chain. Leading manufacturers such as Alstom Transport, Siemens Transportation Systems, Ansaldo Breda and others played a decisive role in its creation.
The ISO TS 22163 (IRIS) standard is based on ISO 9001 and is designed exclusively for companies in the rail industry that fall into one of the three member classes of the IRQB (Industrial Rail Quality Board). These include the "operators", i.e. operating companies such as Deutsche Bahn, the "integrators" (manufacturers of trains and locomotives) and the suppliers who provide the manufacturers with the necessary components.
These companies must have a focus of activity in production, maintenance or research & development in the railway sector: This highlights the industrial focus of the standard.
The standard is not intended for companies whose core business is exclusively sales and service activities. Such companies are certified according to ISO 9001.
Certification requires full implementation of the quality management system in the company in accordance with the requirements of the standard.
Before starting the IRIS certification process, an approval must first be applied for via the central IRIS portal of UNIFE. Companies in the railway industry that are active in the areas of research and development, production or maintenance can register on the portal. Here, the selection of the desired certification company (AFNOR Certification) is also made at the same time.
Certification requires full implementation of the quality management system in the company in accordance with the requirements of the standard.
Before starting the IRIS certification process, an approval must first be applied for via the central IRIS portal of UNIFE.
Companies in the railway industry that are active in the areas of research and development, production or maintenance can register on the portal. Here, the selection of the desired certification company (AFNOR Certification) is also made at the same time.
As a DAkkS-accredited certification body, we are happy to combine your IRIS audit with audits for other management systems, such as an audit in environmental management according to ISO 14001, in energy management according to ISO 50001 or in the area of occupational health and safety according to ISO 45001. Our auditors have multiple qualifications and can usually audit different standards simultaneously.
We calculate the cost of certification according to ISO TS 22163 (IRIS) individually, depending on the complexity of the product, the data acquisition effort and the product portfolio. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
How does an ISO TS 22163 (IRIS) certification work?
To be certified according to ISO TS 22163 you need an access to the IRIS portal.
Expense calculation
Contact us and we will provide you with a non-binding offer including a description of the necessary audit times.
Presentation of the audit team
Personal contact is important to us: Before you start the audit, you will meet your audit team to discuss further planning.
Data Review
A document review must be conducted no later than 60 days prior to the start of the audit.
Readiness Review
Every IRIS certification begins with the Readiness Review. It serves to determine certification readiness and must take place on site a maximum of 60 days before the start of the IRIS audit.
Certification audit
On-site inspection of the processes and documentation as well as the production facilities by the audit team.
Preparation of the audit report
No later than 2 weeks after the on-site visit, the customer receives a preliminary report with the audit findings.
Certification decision
After closure of all non-conformities, the audit documentation is reviewed at the certification body.
Certificate
After a positive certification decision you will receive your certificate: IRIS certificates are always valid for 3 years and provide
for annual review audits.
ISO TS 22163 (IRIS) - Certification worldwide
With over 250 active certifications, we are an experienced partner with our parent company AFNOR Certification in performing IRIS certifications in all parts of the world, with a focus on the European and Chinese markets.
Thus, certifications of globally positioned companies in the railway industry are no problem.