The ISO 19443 standard is specific to the Nuclear Industry, focussing on Quality Management in Nuclear Supply Chains. This is an important standard for Cyclife UK, both as a customer and as a subcontractor.

In order to reach this standard, Cyclife UK have had to demonstrate how they control their own Quality Management Systems (as a supplier into the Nuclear Sector) and the Quality of the services and products they source from their supply chain.

The ISO 19443 standard focusses organisations on the intrinsic link between ‘Quality Management’ and ‘Safety Performance’ in the Nuclear Industry, with particular focus on ITNS (Importance to Nuclear Safety). Safety is the goal, and Quality is the means by which it is achieved.

Certification to this standard was identified as strategically important back in 2023 and is the accumulation of several years of work by the organisation, in particular its Compliance Team, who have been the driving force behind this achievement.

"The strategic importance of this certification cannot be understated. Achieving this makes us more competitive, strengthening our position in the UK market, by aligning our capability in this area, with the best of our competition.A great achievement, please continue to work and keep ‘Quality’ in mind in all our activities." concluded Kevin Dodd, Safety Director at Cyclife UK.

The team are grateful for the support received from throughout the organisation, especially to those who participated in the certification bodies audit activities, and also to those who's daily activities support the standard ensuring that there is plenty evidence of good practice, for the external auditors to sample. 

What is ISO 19443?

ISO 19443 is a quality management standard specifically designed for organisations in the Nuclear sector. It builds on the principles of ISO 9001, focussing on the unique requirements and safety considerations of the nuclear supply chain.

The standard is intended for organisations that supply products and services important to nuclear safety (ITNS).

The main objectives of ISO 19443 are to ensure that organisations with the ability to impact ITNS can consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements, enhance customer satisfaction and improve overall safety and quality in the nuclear industry.

How does it differ from ISO 9001?

ISO 19443 and ISO 9001 both focus on quality management, but where ISO 9001 caters to all industry's generally, the ISO19443 standard specialises on the Nuclear Industry.

Name

  • ISO 9001 Quality Management System Requirements.
  • ISO 19443 Management of Quality Management Systems in Nuclear Supply Chains. 

Industry Focus

  • ISO 9001 is a general quality management standard applicable to any organization, regardless of its industry.
  • ISO 19443 is specifically tailored for the nuclear energy sector, addressing the unique safety and regulatory requirements of this high-risk industry.

Safety and Risk Management

  • ISO 9001 emphasizes general quality management principles, including customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.
  • ISO 19443 builds on ISO 9001 by incorporating stringent safety controls, enhanced risk management, and specific requirements for nuclear safety.

Traceability

  • ISO 9001 requires traceability as part of its quality management system, but the requirements are more general. ISO 19443 demands stricter traceability of products and materials to ensure accountability throughout the nuclear supply chain.

Supplier Evaluation

  • ISO 9001 includes supplier evaluation as part of its quality management system.
  • ISO 19443 places additional emphasis on the qualification and continual assessment of suppliers to ensure they meet nuclear safety standards.

Regulatory Compliance

  • ISO 9001 helps organizations meet general statutory and regulatory requirements.
  • ISO 19443 ensures compliance with specific national and international nuclear safety regulations.

In summary, while ISO 9001 provides a broad framework for quality management applicable to various industries, ISO 19443 offers a specialized extension for organizations in the nuclear sector, focusing on safety (ITNS), traceability, and supplier qualification.

What are the benefits of certification to Cyclife UK Ltd?

ISO 19443 offers several benefits for Cyclife UK Ltd as an operator in the nuclear supply chain.

Enhanced Safety and Quality

  • Ensures stringent safety measures and quality controls are in place, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall reliability.
  • Prevents the organisation from compromising on Quality where there is a potential impact on ITNS products and services

Credibility and Stakeholder Confidence

  • Enhances the organization's credibility and instills confidence among stakeholders, demonstrating a commitment to nuclear safety and quality.
  • Helps Cyclife UK Ltd when competing for work, several of our competitors are certified to this standard and we are seeing it as a requirement in more and more ITT/RFQ's. Attainment helps us remain competitive in the market. 

Global Harmonisation

  • Provides a standardized framework that facilitates seamless operation across diverse regulatory environments, making it easier to comply with international nuclear safety standards.
  • Cyclife operate our own Nuclear Site Licensed site, and this standard is aligned with the Site Licence Conditions, the associated TAG (Technical Assessment Guides) and TIG (Technical Inspection Guides) documents, and the NIA SDF (Nuclear Industry Association - Safety Directors Forum) guidance issued for industry consumption and utilisation. 

Improved Supplier Relationships

  • Reduces uncertainty in long-term supplier relationships by ensuring consistent quality and safety standards, fostering trust and collaboration.

Cost and Time Efficiency

  • Minimises integration time and costs by streamlining processes and reducing the need for multiple audits and assessments.
  • Cyclife UK already integrate ISO9001, 14001 and 45001 as well as our SSIP certification. ISO27001 has now also been aligned and the ISO19443 will also align well with the extant elements of the IMS (Integrated Management System) meaning management system deployment and auditing synergy can be achieved, reducing time burden and associated costs for the business. 

Continuous Improvement

  • Encourages ongoing development and improvement of processes, helping organizations stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.
     

These benefits collectively contribute to a robust safety culture and improved operational efficiency within the nuclear supply chain.