Win rail tenders, meet IRIS rules, and prove RAMS/LCC performance with expert implementation support and UNIFE-approved certification process.
Essential for railway supply chain participation and tender eligibility worldwide
Meet customer mandates and qualify for rail industry tenders and contracts globally.
IRIS Portal listing demonstrates capability and performance to potential customers.
Systematic approach to reliability, availability, maintainability, safety and lifecycle costs.
Achieve Gold, Silver, or Bronze QPL status based on IRIS assessment performance.
ISO 22163:2023 is the international standard for railway quality management systems, developed specifically for the rail industry. It incorporates all ISO 9001:2015 requirements while adding rail-specific processes essential for safety-critical operations.
IRIS Certification® Rev.04 is the implementation scheme managed by UNIFE (Union of European Railway Industries) that defines how ISO 22163 certification works in practice. This includes the IRIS Audit-Tool, Portal database, and Performance Assessment rules that create the industry's Gold/Silver/Bronze Quality Performance Levels.
ISO 22163 maintains all ISO 9001 requirements while adding rail-specific clauses and the IRIS assessment methodology.
| Aspect | ISO 9001:2015 | ISO 22163 + IRIS Rev.04 |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | Standard QMS clauses 4-10 | All ISO 9001 clauses PLUS rail-specific additions |
| RAMS/LCC (Clause 8.8) | Not specified | REQUIRED Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Safety and Life Cycle Cost management with knockout criteria |
| Obsolescence (Clause 8.10) | Not specified | REQUIRED Systematic obsolescence management for long product lifecycles |
| KPI Management | Basic monitoring | ENHANCED Maturity-based KPI management with performance cycles |
| Assessment Method | Pass/Fail certification | IRIS SCORING Points-based assessment with Quality Performance Levels |
| Technology Platform | Standard audit process | IRIS PORTAL Audit-Tool data collection and Portal database submission |
| Certificate Recognition | Individual certificates | QPL STATUS Gold/Silver/Bronze performance rating publicly visible |
Organizations across the railway supply chain, from rolling stock manufacturers to maintenance providers.
Manufacturers of trains, locomotives, and railway vehicles requiring comprehensive quality and safety systems.
Component and subsystem suppliers serving OEMs and rail operators with critical safety components.
Service providers for rolling stock maintenance, overhauls, and lifecycle support services.
Providers of signalling systems, control technology, and railway infrastructure solutions.
ISO 22163/IRIS typically requires 12-24 weeks due to RAMS/LCC, KPI development, and IRIS Portal obligations. Faster timelines possible for mature ISO 9001 organizations.
Evaluate current QMS against ISO 22163 requirements and IRIS Rev.04 criteria
Establish reliability, availability, maintainability, safety, and lifecycle cost processes
Implement KPI management maturity and obsolescence planning systems
Prepare data for IRIS Audit-Tool and ensure Portal compliance readiness
UNIFE-approved CB audit, QPL assessment, and IRIS Portal database submission
Comprehensive implementation support for successful IRIS certification
Understanding the IRIS audit process, scoring methodology, and Quality Performance Levels
Web-based assessment platform used by UNIFE-approved certification bodies. Standardized scoring across all audits worldwide.
Scheme-critical requirements that, if failed, trigger mandatory re-audit. Include RAMS/LCC implementation and key safety processes.
Audit results uploaded to IRIS Portal within 30 days. Public visibility of certified organizations and QPL status.
Exceptional performance across all IRIS criteria. Demonstrates industry leadership and best practices.
Strong performance meeting IRIS requirements with good process maturity and compliance.
Satisfactory performance meeting minimum IRIS certification requirements and standards.
QPL status is publicly visible in IRIS Portal and often considered by customers in tender evaluations and supplier selection processes.
Specialized rail industry training focusing on IRIS-specific requirements and implementation practices
Introduction to ISO 22163 and IRIS scheme fundamentals. Perfect for all rail industry staff.
ISO 19011-based internal auditing with IRIS-specific processes including RAMS/LCC assessment.
Advanced implementation skills for IRIS system development, KPI management, and Portal preparation.
Note: IRIS certification uses UNIFE-approved auditors via certification bodies. Lead Auditor training is not applicable for the IRIS scheme. For general QMS lead auditor skills, consider our ISO 9001 Lead Auditor course.
RAMS processes reduce failures and improve system availability
LCC management optimizes total cost of ownership
Better project management and quality planning
Access to IRIS-required tenders and contracts
Quick assessment of your organization's readiness for key knockout and zero-score items
No, IRIS is a global system managed by UNIFE. ISO 22163:2023 has increased worldwide acceptance, and many international rail projects now specify IRIS certification requirements in tenders.
Yes, IRIS audits use the IRIS Audit-Tool and results are uploaded to the IRIS Portal/Database within 30 days of assessment. Your organization will be listed in the public database with QPL status.
No, IRIS requires individual site certification. Each manufacturing or service location must be assessed and certified separately, though remote and supporting functions can be included in the scope.
Scheme-critical requirements that must be fully implemented. Failure on KO items (like RAMS/LCC processes) triggers a mandatory re-audit regardless of other scores achieved.
IRIS uses a points-based system with Quality Performance Levels (Gold/Silver/Bronze). Zero scores on key requirements may require re-audit even if overall score is acceptable.
Existing ISO 9001 systems provide a strong foundation. Implementation focuses on adding rail-specific requirements like RAMS/LCC (Clause 8.8) and obsolescence management (Clause 8.10).
Our rail industry experts will guide you through successful ISO 22163 IRIS implementation and certification with UNIFE-approved processes.