Meet the Assurance Impartiality Committee
This new committee oversees supplier qualification and assurance schemes (RISQS) and the delivery of critical products and services for the rail industry (RISAS).
Sarah Shooter, Editorial Content Manager, RSSB
Acting chair: Paul McLaughlin, CCO, RSSB
Meeting since: November 2023
Sessions: Every 17 weeks
The stakeholders:
RSSB
passenger train operators
rolling stock owners and leasing companies
freight and other non-passenger train operators
infrastructure managers and owners
infrastructure contractors
suppliers and rolling stock manufacturers.
The background: This committee brings together oversight of the Railway Industry Supplier Qualifications and Assurance Schemes (RISQS and RISAS). The schemes had been overseen separately since 2006 under the RISQS Committee and the RISAS Committee.
The mission: Now, the Assurance Impartiality Committee offers an open forum for industry stakeholders to make recommendations on the schemes and get reports on performance.
The remit: The committee gives independent oversight on the operation of RISAS and RISQS. These schemes play an essential role in the industry by:
assuring the quality and supply of critical products and services
providing robust audit and certification for providers.
RISAS has over 70 certified members, and RISQS has just under 4,000 suppliers and 90 buyers. Together, they create a foundation of trust between buyers and suppliers. The Assurance Impartiality Committee ensures these schemes are operated by the industry, for the industry. It gives guidance to buyers and suppliers. It also monitors accreditation, appeals, and performance measures.
The future: There’s much work for the committee on the horizon. This will start with the appointment of a permanent Chair. In addition, the committee will champion the launch of the new RISQS portal, giving better and easier access to members. The committee also continues to bring attention to the changes to the Procurement Act. RISQS has been working to promote this at roadshows around the country.
Each meeting sees feedback shared from the buyer and supplier consultation groups. These are the groups that let industry be heard and their input is a core feature of the sessions. It ensures the committee can steer these critical operations in a responsive and active way, helping build and maintain our safe and efficient railway.
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