Rail market access
Recognised by rail manufacturers and operators across their supply chains.
Certification support
ISO 22163 Rail Quality Management (IRIS)
Current edition: ISO 22163:2023
The quality management standard for the rail sector, used by rolling stock manufacturers, signalling suppliers and their supply chains. It builds on ISO 9001 with requirements for rail projects and products.
What the standard covers
What ISO 22163 adds to ISO 9001
ISO 22163 keeps the ISO 9001 structure and adds requirements that reflect how rail products are tendered, delivered and maintained.
Tender management
Structured review of requirements and risks before you commit to a rail project.
Project management
Planning, control and reporting across long rail project life cycles.
RAMS and LCC
Reliability, availability, maintainability, safety and life-cycle cost managed in design.
Configuration management
Controlled baselines and change across product and project.
First article inspection
Verification that new or changed products meet requirements.
Obsolescence management
Planning for components and technologies that go out of production.
Supplier management
Selection, development and monitoring of the rail supply chain.
Change management
Changes to products, processes and organisation planned and controlled.
Why organisations implement it
What ISO 22163 delivers
Fewer project overruns
Tender, project and change management reduce late surprises.
Reliable products
RAMS and LCC built into design rather than added at the end.
Supply continuity
Obsolescence planning protects products with long service lives.
Customer confidence
A sector-specific system that rail customers recognise.
One system
Integrates with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 on the same structure.
How we work
Path to certification
One AEC methodology from first assessment to certificate, delivered by registered lead auditors.
- AssessGap assessment against ISO 22163, scope and roadmap
- DesignProcesses, risk register, policy and documented information
- ImplementProcesses embedded with coaching for process owners
- TrainAwareness for all staff and internal auditor development
- VerifyInternal audit, management review and mock certification audit
- Certify & sustainStage 1 and Stage 2 support, then surveillance readiness
Full implementation
No existing system. We design and implement from the ground up.
Typically 9 to 12 monthsGap remediation
Some documentation in place. We close the gaps and prove effectiveness.
Typically 6 to 9 monthsUpgrade & integration
We add the rail requirements to your ISO 9001 system.
Typically 4 to 6 months
Who certifies
Certification under the IRIS scheme
ISO 22163 certification is carried out under the IRIS Certification scheme by certification bodies approved for that scheme. AEC prepares you for that audit; the certification decision is theirs.
CB-neutral
We help you select an approved certification body that suits your customers and sites.
Audit-ready
Mock audit and closed corrective actions before the certification audit.
No guarantees
We prepare you thoroughly and never promise an outcome only an independent auditor can decide.
Where it applies
ISO 22163 by industry
Transport & logistics · rolling stock and rail systems
Manufacturing · rail components and assemblies
Government · rail infrastructure programmes
Related standards
Training Academy
View the Training Academy
Training for your ISO 22163 team
In-house courses tailored to your system, delivered by practising, registered lead auditors.
- Awareness (half day) on ISO 22163 requirements and each person's role
- Internal Auditor (2 to 3 days) in line with ISO 19011
- ISO 9001 Lead Auditor (5 days), CQI/IRCA certified
Questions
ISO 22163 FAQ
Does AEC issue the ISO 22163 certificate?
No. Certification is carried out under the IRIS Certification scheme by approved certification bodies. AEC prepares your organisation for that audit.
What is the difference between ISO 22163 and IRIS?
ISO 22163 is the international standard for rail quality management. IRIS Certification is the scheme under which organisations are audited and certified against it.
We hold ISO 9001. How much more work is ISO 22163?
Your ISO 9001 system is the base. The work is in the rail additions such as tender and project management, RAMS and LCC, configuration management and obsolescence, typically 4 to 6 months.
Does ISO 22163 apply to maintenance providers?
It can. The standard covers design, manufacturing and maintenance of rail products. We confirm the scope that fits your activities during the gap assessment.
Start your ISO 22163 programme
Tell us your products, projects and customers. We reply with a proposal covering gap assessment, implementation, training and certification support.
Certification decisions are made by independent, accredited certification bodies. AEC prepares organisations for certification and does not guarantee certification outcomes.