Newag is first in Europe with IRIS Gold certification

Newag was the first company in Europe to achieve the Gold Quality Performance Level, which confirms its compliance with the requirements of ISO/TS 22163 (IRIS) at the highest possible level. It is reported by Railway Supply magazine with reference to Nakolei.

This prestigious award was given by the executive body of the IRIS Management Center (IMC) of the European Railway Industry Association (UNIFE) following certification by Bureau Veritas Certification.

ISO/TS 22163:2017 is an International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS) technical specification that has been developed by UNIFE’s leading rolling stock manufacturers to ensure and continually improve product quality. The certification procedure, called IRIS Certification®, is intended for rolling stock manufacturers and their suppliers, infrastructure manufacturers, as well as design offices and repair companies.

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In 2020, additional criteria were introduced to accompany the IRIS certification process. To distinguish and motivate companies to constantly increase their efforts to create better and more advanced quality management solutions, three levels of management system evaluation – bronze, silver and gold, referred to as “Quality Levels” have been added.

Gold Quality Performance Level is the highest and most prestigious assessment of the Quality Management System for compliance with ISO/TS 22163:2017. To earn a Gold Quality Performance level, an organization must demonstrate excellent results across three criteria – compliance with requirements, process performance, and finally, customer reference. Applying for the GOLD level requires proper planning of the audit process – UNIFE oversees the planning, sends a representative who is present throughout the assessment and checks the content of the report. Meeting the requirements for organizations applying for the Gold Level of Excellence is to ensure that the highest level of evaluation is awarded to the leaders of the railway industry – companies whose internal system of organization, business management and attitude towards customers should be an example to follow and an inspiration for the entire market.

According to data published by the international consortium IRQB, over 2,100 IRIS certificates have been issued worldwide to date.

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In Poland, about 70 companies have IRIS certificate, but only one Polish manufacturer has a certificate with distinction at the highest, gold level.

Newag S.A. is focused on continuous improvement of the organization in order to ensure full compliance with the requirements of ISO/TS 22163:2017 (IRIS rev. 03) and ensure the efficient functioning of all processes. This activity is aimed at creating conditions conducive to a high level of customer satisfaction and the supply of the highest quality products that guarantee travel comfort and passenger safety. We are proud that the commitment and actions taken by all employees of the Company at all organizational levels have resulted in achieving the highest possible level of compliance as we have become the first organization in Europe to successfully receive this award. Regardless, we will continue to take systematic actions for continuous improvement. We are convinced that improvement is a never-ending process that guarantees a long-term competitive advantage,” says Jozef Michalik, Vice President of the Board of Newag S.A.

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