LRQA and IRSS announce collaborative approach to certify Maritime Security Companies to ISO/PAS 28007

(PRWEB UK) 9 May 2013

Global management system certifier, Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) and specialist risk and management consultancy, Integrated Risk & Security Solutions (IRSS) are pleased to announce a collaborative working approach to help organisations wanting to become certified to the new maritime security standard, ISO/PAS 28007. This standard requires Maritime Security Companies to fully identify and demonstrate compliance with all the legal requirements to provide privately contracted armed guards on-board merchant ships to guard against piracy in the high risk areas.

The relationship will marry the in-depth experience of the maritime security market, up to date methodologies and current operational experience of IRSS with LRQA’s experience in accredited management systems certification to bring a pragmatic, benchmark service offer to market.

Together the two organisations will be able to provide a range of assurance services including certification, verification and training to help support Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) looking to meet the rigorous requirements of a range of standards including ISO/PAS 28007, ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001. Such standards allow companies to establish confidence in their own work for security, quality, health and safety and the environment, as well as demonstrating such ability to clients and law enforcers.

“With the increasing threat to commercial shipping globally, there has been a sharp rise in interest from PMSCs wanting to demonstrate their high levels of professionalism. The recent publication of ISO/PAS 28007 now allows for PMSCs to demonstrate compliance with a set of rigorous requirements giving them the opportunity to demonstrate to ship owners and managers their commitment to customer service, quality, safety and risk management processes,” comments David Derrick, LRQA Business Centre Manager.

“We are delighted to be working with IRSS to offer the market a range of services including gap analysis, in-company or public training and formal certification. We believe the combination of our expertise in management systems together with our heritage in the maritime sector through links with Lloyd’s Register is a good fit with the in-depth risk management knowledge of IRSS.”

The links between the two organisations go back many years. Jeremy Hills, Director of IRSS worked closely with the Lloyd’s Register Group as part of the team that helped develop the organisation’s services to the ISPS and later to the ISO 28000 supply chain standard. “Having worked closely with the Lloyd’s Register Group as an independent consultant for over a decade, I believe that by coming together we can really deliver excellence through service delivery at an exciting time of change and growth for the sector.

“With the introduction of ISO/PAS 28007 the bar has been set very high and there will no doubt be some real changes in the market over the next few years. I see real enthusiasm for this standard which many see as a key differentiator in an increasingly crowded and competitive marketplace. We shall no doubt see a number of key players deciding to become early adopters of the standard in order to provide a differentiator in the market,” comments Jeremy Hills.

LRQA is one of the first certification bodies participating in the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) pilot scheme. UKAS has been appointed to assess companies offering certification to ISO/PAS 28007 verifying that it uses competent assessors with the correct qualifications and that rigorously tested auditing processes are being followed. This is the key in ensuring the confidence of the shipping market.

LRQA and IRSS will be holding an informative ISO/PAS 28007 event at Lloyd’s Register central London offices on 25th June for PMSCs to find out more about the development, structure and benefits from formal recognition to the Standard. The agenda is to be finalised however further information will be available on the LRQA UK website.

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