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

Certificate is recognized by other industry sectors

Deletion of non-value-added activities and Waste elimination

Manufacturing process controls enhancing Quality and Productivity

Business process streamlining and efficiency improvement

Responsibility and Accountability across the organization

Check out the Who can be certified IRIS Certification Video

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:

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 1 years

Year on Year

Yearly Compliance

• Support of Yearly documentation for audit

What is IRIS Certification? 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.