Deutsche Bahn (DB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UNIFE to further the development of a new international rail industry standard.
The agreement is a further step toward establishing the International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS) as the gold standard for companies in the rail sector.
Set up in 2005, IRIS, which to date has certified 1,200 companies around the world, is based on the recognised ISO 9001 quality standard with the addition of rail-specific elements.
The MoU was signed at DB’s headquarters in Berlin between UNIFE chairman Lutz Bertling and DB’s Dr Volker Kefer.
Bertling said: “Deutsche Bahn is one of the largest and most influential railway undertakings in Europe and the world – to see their commitment to the further development of the IRIS standard and, thus, towards the continued improvement of quality in the rail equipment supply chain is commendable and a major endorsement for IRIS.
“IRIS looks forward to continued fruitful cooperation with Deutsche Bahn on quality.”
Network Rail – please get on board before all the seats get taken up!