Solace Called Upon to Address Industry Standards

Solace Global Maritime, a private maritime security company, has been seconded as an industry expert from SME32 Ships and Maritime U.K. Committee to advise the QS1 Quality Committee on proposed changes to the international management standard, BS EN ISO9001.

The Committee is supporting the U.K.’s input for changes to BS EN ISO9001 which aims to eliminate misinterpretation and confusion caused by the existing wording of the standard. Although the planned changes will not come into effect until 2015, it is likely to be one of the most significant changes seen to the standard since its move from BS 5750 in 1987.

Having obtained certification to BS EN ISO9001 in July 2011, Solace has maintained its commitment to integrated management systems, with certification to OHSAS 18001 and BS EN 14001 following in 2012 and its involvement in helping to develop ISO PAS 28007, Guidelines for Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs).

Solace’s Quality, Safety, Health and Environmental Manager Tony Hanson said, “Implementation and management of standards in emerging markets poses many problems, including expertise and knowledge for application of standards. In my 20 years of systems development and maintenance to comply with standards, I have seen how many end users fail to interpret the requirements of a standard in the same way as a Certification Body Assessor and it is a barrier I am keen to help break down.

“The challenge for committees affecting change comes from the wording and intent of standards which everyone views differently. It is crucial that standards are developed or revised to eliminate myths and mysteries providing clear understanding and interpretation for the end user.”