Deutsche Bahn and UNIFE sign Memorandum of Understanding on IRIS

Deutsche Bahn and UNIFE, the European Rail Industry Association, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the advancement of the International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS).

The agreement signed in Berlin by UNIFE Chairman Lutz Bertling, UNIFE Director-General Philippe Citroën and Member of the Deutsche Bahn Management Board for Infrastructure, Services and Technology, Dr Volker Kefer, will promote mutually beneficial cooperation between the two parties on quality standards in the rail sector. Such cooperation is expected to focus on increasing the exchange of knowledge and experience in a bilateral context on product quality, which is defined as product-related fulfilment of customer requirements. The current MoU will set out a framework for development in the rail sector both in Germany and worldwide.

IRIS aims to improve the quality and the reliability of the rail products, to implement and further develop a global system for the evaluation of companies supplying the rail sector, and to instil a culture of quality throughout the sector.

Dr Lutz Bertling, Chairman of UNIFE, upon signing the MoU commented: “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.”

Dr Volker Kefer, Member of the DB Management Board for Infrastructure, Services and Technology, said: “The cooperation with UNIFE as our trusted partner will strengthen the rail sector and increase quality. The focus on product-related fulfilment of customer requirements within IRIS is an opportunity for business in a global economy. DB expects significant long-term improvements as a result of both parties’ expertise and cooperativeness.”

Mark Manley, Chairman of the IRIS Steering Committee added, “This is an excellent step towards a rail industry standard which fully meets our customers’ expectations. We look forward to signing IRIS MoUs with additional key stakeholders in the very near future.”