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FAQ

  • ISO - Documentation

     

    • What is the IRIS Certification® Rev.04 system?

      The ISO 22163:2023 is owned by the ISO. It contains the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard and supplemental rail-specific requirements.

       

      The IRIS Certification® Performance Assessment:2023 is owned by UNIFE and contains all the relevant rules relating to the assessment methodology and certification process. 


    • When was the ISO standard published?

      The ISO 22163 was released in July 2023 as a full-fledged ISO standard.



    • How to access the ISO standard?

      The ISO 22163:2023 is available for purchase in multiple languages via the ISO website (https://www.iso.org/standard/79427.html). 



    • How to purchase the IRIS Certification® Performance Assessment:2023?

      The IRIS Certification® Performance Assessment:2023 can be ordered via the IRIS Portal here.



    • When will translations be available?

      Translations of the IRIS Certification® Performance Assessment:2023 are managed by UNIFE’s IRIS Management Centre and will be made available at the earliest feasible date, exclusively in the translated languages of ISO 22163:2023.


      Stakeholders can purchase the ISO 22163:2023 from their national standard body.



  • Registration on the IRIS Portal

     

    • How to register on the IRIS Portal?

      Registering your company on the IRIS Portal is the first step in the IRIS Certification® process. Once registered, the company shall regularly review and update its registration information.

      When registering, the company should be aware that the information provided:

      • is used to produce all IRIS official documentation, including the IRIS report and the IRIS certificate;
      • is displayed in the public area of the IRIS Portal once IRIS Certification® is achieved.


      To register on the IRIS Portal, please visit this page and complete the requested information.



    • What is a VAT number?

      A common VAT system is compulsory for member states of the European Union.
      The EU VAT system is imposed by a series of European Union directives, the most important of which is the Sixth VAT Directive (Directive 77/388/EC).


      Nevertheless, some member states have negotiated VAT exemption or variable rates for regions or territories. The Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla (Spain), Gibraltar (UK) and Åland Islands (Finland) are outside the scope of the EU system of VAT, while the Autonomous regions of Portugal (Azores and Madeira) are allowed to levy rates lower than Mainland Portugal.

      Under the EU system of VAT, where a person carrying on an economic activity supplies goods and services to another person, and the value of the supplies passes financial limits, the supplier is required to register with the local taxation authorities and
      charge its customers, and account to the local taxation authority for, VAT (although the price may be inclusive of VAT, so VAT is included as part of the agreed price, or exclusive of VAT, so VAT is payable in addition to the agreed price).

      VAT that is charged by a business and paid by its customers is known as output VAT (that is, VAT on its output supplies). VAT that is paid by a business to other businesses on the supplies that it receives is known as input VAT (that is, VAT on its input supplies). A business is generally able to recover input VAT to the extent that the input VAT is attributable to (that is, used to make) its taxable outputs. Input VAT is recovered by setting it against the output VAT for which the business is required to account to the government, or, if there is an excess, by claiming a repayment from the government.

      Different rates of VAT apply in different EU member states. The minimum standard rate of VAT throughout the EU is 15%, although reduced rates of VAT, as low as 5%, are applied in various states on various sorts of supply (for example, domestic fuel and power in the UK). The maximum rate in the EU is 25%.

      To find out more please go to: ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/faqvies.do
       



    • What is a DUNS number?

      DUNS (Dun & Bradstreet) number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track of over 92 million businesses worldwide.

       

      DUNS number:

      • enhances the credibility of your business in the marketplace;
      • enables potential customers, suppliers, and lenders to easily identify and learn about your company.

       

      For more information about DUNS number, please visit the website: www.dnb.com/get-a-duns-number.html.

       



    • I have forgotten my password to log in to the IRIS Portal, what shall I do?

      1) Go to the IRIS Portal, click Login, then Forgot password.
      2) Enter your email address.
      3) You will receive a new password at the specified email address. Please check your spam/junk folder if you do not see it in your inbox.
       



  • Preparing for IRIS Certification®

  • IRIS Certification® in general

    • Which companies can apply for IRIS Certification®?

      IRIS Certification® is applicable to organizations performing the following activities:

      • Project management
      • Requirements for products and services
      • Design and development for products and services
      • Control of externally provided processes, products and services
      • Production and service provision

      and belonging to the business category of:

      • Rolling Stock
      • Signalling
      • Infrastructure
      • Maintenance
      • Distributors
      • Turnkey
      • Testing & Tools.


    • How is the independency of the IRIS Certification® scheme guaranteed?

      The IRIS Certification® scheme is overseen and managed by UNIFE. The IRIS Management Centre ensures compliance with the certification rules. Evaluation is conducted by independent auditors from IRIS-approved certification bodies.



    • Are there any legal concerns (closed market)?

      All antitrust issues and market competition issues have been considered during the development phase of the IRIS initiative.
       



    • How can I obtain the IRIS Assessment Sheet?

      The IRIS Assessment Sheet is available directly within the IRIS Audit-Tool Web and can only be exported as a PDF due to copyright restrictions. To purchase the IRIS Audit-Tool Web, please click the following link.



    • Which certification activities does IRIS Certification® cover?

      IRIS certified companies have activities in at least one of the following areas:

      • Design and Development
      • Production and Service Provision
      • EPPPS
      • Project Management
      • Requirements Management


    • What are the product scopes of IRIS Certification® Rev.04?

      IRIS Certification® product scopes correspond to the specific products a company seeks to have certified.

       

      The Rev.04 product scopes are as follows:

      • Integration
      • Railway vehicles
      • Railway network
      • Electronical
      • Systems
      • Mechanical
      • Electrical
      • Components
      • Guidance


      Companies may obtain certification for multiple product scopes.



  • IRIS Certification® and operators 

    • How is IRIS Certification® managed as a global scheme?

      IRQB – the International Rail Quality Board – is a global consortium that brings together leading companies in rail operations, system integration and equipment manufacturing.

       

      Established in September 2018, the IRQB aims to foster a global culture of quality across the whole rail sector, notably by promoting the use of the IRIS Certification® system worldwide to ensure high product quality.

       

      The IRQB believes that better quality will ultimately improve daily mobility on rail, therefore IRIS Certification® must be the seal of all involved stakeholders.

      Website



  • IRIS Certification® auditors and certification bodies

    • How to become an IRIS auditor?

      To become an IRIS auditor, candidates must:

      • Be a third-party ISO 9001 qualified auditor and actively affiliated with the certification body (CB) presenting the candidature to the IMC.
      • Complete the Auditor Approval Form (available through the CB), which must be validated by the CB and submitted to the IMC.

       

      Key requirements for candidates:

      • Compliance with ISO 19011.
      • ISO 9001 qualification for the CB presenting the candidature.
      • Auditing Experience: Candidates shall have participated in at least four certification audits (third-party system audits) as a lead auditor or for a minimum of 20 audit days covering all ISO 9001 requirements within the last four years.
      • Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience in the rail sector within the last 15 years. Relevant work experience in the rail sector (or other relevant industry such automotive, aerospace, etc.): full-time employment in the rail sector with direct involvement in Engineering, Design, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Project Management, Quality, or Process Control for operators, system integrators, equipment manufacturer, or regonized rail organization such as ERA, UNIFE, or related national associations.
      • English language proficiency: Minimum B2 level required to participate in the training.

       

      The IMC reviews and validates candidates for the auditor training.

       

      After successfully passing the written and oral examination, the auditor is assigned IRIS process scopes based on their knowledge of the IRIS scopes of certification.



    • What are the requirements to become an IRIS-approved certification body?

      In case of interest, please contact Info@iris-rail.org to request the Framework Agreement template.