IRIS

IRIS (International Railway Industry Standard)

IRIS

The liberalisation of European rail transport is particularly challenging due to increasing competitive pressures, especially in the EU goods market. What railways need most are 'ready to operate' transport systems to meet the different requirements of individual countries on the main intercontinental routes, as well as general regulatory requirements. Railway operators expect from the railway industry competitiveness, proven transport solutions, facilities and equipment that meet high quality standards and requirements. IRIS summarizes and frames these global demands for the rail business, helping to improve quality in the rail sector and reduce costs.

Promoted by UNIFE and supported by operators, system integrators and equipment manufacturers, IRIS (International Railway Industry Standard) complements the internationally recognized ISO 9001 quality standard by introducing specific requirements concerning the railway industry. The aim of IRIS is to develop and implement a global system for evaluating supplier companies in the railway industry. It is modelled on similar quality standards that already exist in the aerospace and automotive industries, and helps to avoid repeated auditing of business management systems, thus increasing budget efficiency.

ADVANTAGES OF IRIS:

• The objectives and principles of the system are applicable to everyone (equipment manufacturers, system integrators, operators or business partners);
• The successful implementation of IRIS creates win-win conditions for all stakeholders;
• IRIS helps to enhance the image and secure a competitive future;
• In the IRIS web database, manufacturers, operators and system integrators can enter and update their data. After certification, if desired, this information can be provided to other parties or potential customers;
• Equipment manufacturers save valuable time, as they only need to apply for certification once – simultaneously for ISO 9001 and IRIS;
• The Uniform Quality Standard significantly simplifies the process of evaluation and approval of suppliers, eliminating the need for in-house audits for the approval of system integrators, since information and reliable data about them are available in the common IRIS web database;
• Operators benefit from improvements throughout the supply chain (improved equipment, rolling stock and signalling). Operators can count on a rigorous, internationally recognized industry-wide standard. As a result, quality, safety and reliability, as well as business management processes in the industry are enhanced;
• The IRIS standard is owned and operated by UNIFE to ensure its independence;
• IRIS builds on the structure of ISO 9001 and adds specific requirements to the rail business management system, e.g. about project management, design, RAMS, LCC, etc.
• IRIS contains: mandatory requirements with the wording "should" and optional requirements with the wording "should";
• It is not necessary to provide sensitive business information. The results of the audit are confidential and protected;
• The requirements for certification bodies and auditors are regulated – all certification bodies must have accreditation in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021 and approval by IRIS. Only IRIS-approved auditors who have participated in IRIS training and passed a written and oral examination can verify the standard. Auditors may only audit in their area of competence in a particular product category. Finally, auditors who comply with these requirements work for only one IRIS-approved certification body;
• The convenience of the IRIS web portal: it contains an online database that provides all the important and necessary information about audits. There is a section accessible to everyone, but the main part of the audit portal is not open to the public. Only railway companies that make requests and certification bodies approved by the IRIS group can gain access. Each submitted audit report with an IRIS certificate will be included in the online database. The name and address of the audited company, together with the scope and validity of its certificate, shall be published. The audited firm may choose to provide more details about the audit to its clients by granting them specific access. Otherwise, this information is strictly confidential;
• IRIS offers an efficient and transparent system for auditing railway suppliers.