The railway sector has featured as a key target market for the HARTING Technology Group for years. Now the quality management at the Zhuhai site in China has been awarded the silver level of the IRIS-Certification (International Railway Industry Standard). 

Out of the approximately 2,200 participating companies worldwide only 2 % achieve this result. “The certification demonstrates the high-quality standards according to which our products are developed, manufactured and tested, as well as the consistent orientation of our processes to the needs of our customers,” says Stephan Middelkamp, General Manager Quality and Technologies. “The team at our Zhuhai location has done an excellent job.”

Requirements defined for the quality management systems of railway companies

With the International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS), the Brussels-based Association of the European Railway Industry (UNIFE), is through the International Rail Quality Board (IRQB) in close cooperation with the leading rail operators, system integrators and manufacturers. UNIFE has developed and issued internationally applicable requirements for the quality management systems of railway companies. And what is more, their suppliers of equipment components as well as the relevant engineering service providers can also obtain their own certificates. IRIS is based on the requirements of ISO 9001 and comprises additional railway-specific requirements.

The IRIS Silver-status was introduced only last year. As part of an audit of the integrated management system, this was the first opportunity for HARTING Zhuhai to receive this award.

HARTING first entered China’s market in 1988 and established the Zhuhai manufacturing plant in 1998.  Recognising the growing markets demand of the Asia railway market, HARTING has been enhancing the railway services capabilities.