RISQS Accreditation Guide

Want to work in the UK rail industry?

Understand the route to RISQS supplier assurance, what your organisation may need to put in place, and how to prepare for audit.

Start the RISQS GuideWork through the eight stages at your own pace.Assess My OrganisationAnswer a short set of questions for an indicative readiness pathway.

RISQS (the Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme) is one of the rail industry's supplier assurance schemes. There is no single RISQS journey: what applies to your organisation depends on the activities you intend to undertake, the products and services you register for, and what your customers require.

Who this guide is for

Construction and civil engineering contractors entering rail
Specialist subcontractors, consultants and design organisations
Plant, equipment and labour suppliers
SMEs expanding into railway infrastructure
Organisations asked by a client to obtain RISQS
Registered suppliers preparing for their first audit, or unsure what comes next

The journey

Eight stages from first question to ongoing assurance

Each stage explains what is involved and what to think about. Start at the beginning or go to the stage you need.

The Harcon approach

Having documents does not necessarily demonstrate compliance

Every requirement needs formal written arrangements to meet it. Written arrangements need to be practically applied and evidenced.

Harcon's assurance model: from requirement to assurance

RequirementWhat applies to you, based on your scope.
ArrangementHow you will meet it: policies, procedures, roles and records.
ImplementationPeople following those arrangements in day-to-day work.
EvidenceRecords that show the arrangements are being followed.
AssuranceJustified confidence, for you and the organisations you work for, that it all works.

Why documentation alone is not enough

Costs