IRIS CERTIFICATION - INTERNATIONAL RAILWAY INDUSTRY STANDARD
What is IRIS?
The International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS) is an internationally recognized management system standard specific to the railway industry. It is based on the ISO 9001 structure but stipulates additional, railway-specific requirements for business management systems.
In 2005, the IRIS Group was established as a UNIFE Group with the goal of securing higher quality in the railway industry. All certification bodies shall have an accreditation in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021:2015 and an IRIS approval. IRIS is an initiative led by the Association of European Railway Industries (UNIFE).
Equipment manufacturers applying for an IRIS Certificate must obtain it from an independent certification body. The flow of activities towards IRIS certifications is as follows:
- Organization registers for membership at the UNIFE portal
- compilation of the information questionnaire
- pre-audits to verify potential gaps in compliance with the IRIS standard
- readiness review audits to verify compliance with IRIS pre-requisites
- certification audit
- issue of the certification
- annual supervision audits
- recertification audit (after three years).
Benefits of IRIS Certification
A step towards customer delight
Manufacturing process controls enhancing Quality and Productivity
Certificate is recognized by other industry sectors
Business process streamlining and efficiency improvement
Deletion of non-value-added activities and Waste elimination
Responsibility and Accountability across the organization
Who can be certified IRIS Certification?
The certification is availed primarily by the organizations in the supply chain of the railway industry. This standard can also be used in other industry sectors when a quality management system with additional requirements over an ISO 9001:2015 system is needed.
Steel Rail
Railway sleeper
Railway fish plate and fish bolt
Rail fastening system
Railway switch
Railway Wagon
Rail Structures
Railway Axle
Railway Signals
Document required for IRIS Certification
- System Manual
- System Procedure
- Policy
- Objectives
- Mission & Vision
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
- Checklist
- Forms
- Formats
- Records
The extent of Documented Information differs as per:
- Organization’s size
- Activities performed by the organization
- Processes undertaken by the Organization
- Products and services offered by the organization
- The complexity of processes undertaken
- Competence of persons involved
Role of Shamkris and Process of IRIS Certification
Shamkris adopts a results-oriented approach to effective system implementation in the organization. A simple and practical method of system implementation helps organizations increase business efficiency and sustainability. Shamkris supports 100% documentation to obtain an accreditation body of success in addition to enhanced performance.
The implementation process is described below:
Time Frame
Task
Process
Day 1
GAP Analysis
Certification Body
Selection
Cost Estimates
- Finding the GAP between existing system related to IRIS requirements
- Selecting the appropriate certification Body
- Based on the scope of your business & certification Body you choose
Week 1
Developing Documents
- Management System Manual, Management System Procedures, Policy, Objectives, Forms etc.
- Review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Week 4
Implementing Management System
- IRIS Awareness training for the top management and staff
- Implementing a well-documented management system throughout the organization
Week 8
Internal Audit
MRM
CAPA
- Internal audits identifying nonconformities related to IRIS requirements
- Management Review Meetings
- Corrective and Preventive Action plan for nonconformities
Week 10
Certification Body
Audit
N-C Closing
- Shamkris acts on your behalf and assists you in the third-party audit
- Closing of any nonconformities identified by the certification Body
Week 12
Certification Body
- IRIS certificates issued for 3 years
Year on Year
Yearly Compliance
- Support of Yearly documentation for audit