The first accredited ISO 19443 certificate issued by Bureau Veritas Poland

AGRAF Sp. z o.o. from Katowice, carrying out design activities and technical advisory services in the energy and industrial sectors, has obtained the accredited ISO 19443 certification, awarded by Bureau Veritas. This is one of the first ISO 19443 certificates issued in Poland by an accredited body. The obtainment of this certificate by AGRAF confirms the high quality and safety standards applied by the company in its operations.

ISO 19443 is an international quality management standard that outlines detailed requirements for organizations supplying products and services within the nuclear energy sector's supply chain. The structure of the standard is based on the quality management principles found in ISO 9001:2015, enhanced with additional requirements related to nuclear safety, such as safety culture, graded approach, and Items Important to Nuclear Safety (ITNS).

Bureau Veritas is a globally recognized certification body, actively involved in the development of quality standards in the nuclear energy sector. The company is also a founding member of the National Quality Standard Association (NQSA), established in France in 2011 to promote a culture of quality and safety in the nuclear industry.

"Nuclear energy is a complex branch of the economy, subject to strict supervision by state authorities and specialized agencies. In this industry, just like in aviation, quality is synonymous with safety, so it is very important to objectively ensure that all participants in the supply chain meet the highest quality management standards. ISO 19443 certification becomes a competitive advantage and a required license to operate for companies aspiring to participate in the nuclear energy supply chain. We have developed the necessary competencies and launched the ISO 19443 certification program in Poland, based on knowledge transfer from our headquarters in France and local market knowledge. Currently, we are observing a significant increase in interest in training and certification for compliance with ISO 19443 due to the advanced plans to build the first nuclear power plant in Poland. Our possession of the relevant accreditation and the employment of qualified auditors is of utmost importance. This is a rarity on the Polish market, and it ensures our clients receive a verified service and a prestigious certificate that is recognized and accepted worldwide. This provides our partners with additional value and assures them they are working with an experienced and reliable entity.” - says Paweł Borowicz, Enterprise Risk Manager at Bureau Veritas Poland

“An ISO 19443 audit is much more than a standard verification of compliance with the requirements of the management system. It is a comprehensive assessment of the maturity of processes, their mutual relationships, and the impact they have on nuclear safety - a key aspect in a sector with special requirements, such as the nuclear industry. The possibility of obtaining accredited ISO 19443 certification in Poland is a huge opportunity for Polish suppliers who want to build their position in this strategic industry. As a lead auditor for ISO 19443, I have the privilege of working with organizations that are committed not merely to meeting the requirements, but to truly understanding and implementing them with conviction. This enables them to not only obtain a prestigious certification, but more importantly, to put in place effective solutions that elevate the level of safety and quality across the entire nuclear energy supply chain." - Michał Komosa, lead auditor for ISO 19443 at Bureau Veritas Poland 

In addition to ISO 19443 certification, Bureau Veritas offers comprehensive training for suppliers operating in the nuclear sector. Furthermore, our company provides support at all stages of nuclear projects - from feasibility studies, through construction, to the operation of facilities.