We have been changing the delivery method, using RSSB technical experts to support qualified auditors from rail, and delivering the assessments directly.

These activities will mean the rail industry oversees its own destiny. They will ensure RISAS retains one of its biggest selling points, which is being rail industry-owned, with full governance and control via RSSB.

Together with RISQS

Several existing RISQS protocols are in the process of review. This is to determine whether audited criteria should have greater rigour applied and, as necessary, witnessed observation of activities, providing added affirmation and confidence in those providers of products and services.

Future improvements include:

  • Expanding the scope to all relevant safety critical products and services in infrastructure and rolling stock—as originally envisaged when RISAS was introduced.
  • Making RISAS easier for companies to use, adopt, and champion.
  • Integration with the RISQS platform to create a single, official, rail industry supplier assurance hub.
  • Providing a more financially sustainable footing by generating more revenue which can be invested back into RISAS.

Railway Industry Commodity Classification List (RICCL)

Further progression by way of introducing other ‘witnessed’ activities into RICCL, to bring more suppliers to require a RISAS-style protocol for activities such as signalling, infrastructure, etc.

RICCL includes all commodities that are supplied to support railway operations in Great Britain. It provides a common vocabulary for the benefit of all buyers and suppliers who are participants in railway supplier assurance activities. It aligns with international standards (especially ISO 81346) while utilizing the best of existing models.

The RICCL itself is not a standard. It is a developed intellectual property rights list of RSSB, designed to create a single vocabulary for commodities and services in use in the rail industry in Great Britain.

The RISAS product groups which have historically served that part of industry well have been incorporated into the RICCL. This provides commonality across all industry activities for products, activities, materials, and resources, as an over-arching list of commodities defining the lifecycle, hazard rating, and required assurance level (verifiable, auditable, or witnessed).