ISO 22163 is an international standard for a Railway Quality Management System (RQMS) that extends the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 with railway‑specific criteria tailored to the unique needs of the rail industry supply chain. It applies to organizations involved in the design, manufacture, service, and maintenance of railway products and services, ensuring they consistently meet customer, statutory, and regulatory requirements while emphasising defect prevention, continual improvement, safety, and supply chain quality. Achieving ISO 22163 certification helps enhance product and service quality, improve customer satisfaction, strengthen competitive positioning, streamline supplier management, and reduce risks and operational costs. Certified organizations often gain recognition in the IRIS database, which is widely used in the global railway sector to assess and approve suppliers, providing a clear market advantage.
Advantages
• Higher customer satisfaction and confidence
• Stronger brand image and market credibility
• Improved operational performance
• Lower operational and quality-related costs
• Better compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
• More effective and reliable supply chain control
