RISQS Consultants & Certification Support

Guaranteed success with our RISQS Certification service

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Are you currently working within the Rail Industry? Are you thinking of working within the Rail Industry? Are you looking to achieve or maintain a RISQS certification?

RISQS logo

Seize your opportunity in the UK Railway sector by ensuring compliance with the essential RISQS certification, a non-negotiable prerequisite for servicing any part of this bustling industry. With our expert guidance, borne from extensive experience as both official auditors and dedicated consultants, we stand ready to streamline your certification journey.

Trust in our proven track record to unlock the doors to the entire railway sector, placing you firmly on the tracks to success.

What is RISQS?

The Rail Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme is the certification body for any buyers or suppliers working throughout the Great British rail industry.

RISQS supports Network Rail and Transport for London (TFL) in managing their supply chain risk. The RISQS scheme is industry-owned, governed and sponsored by a committee of representatives from across the rail industry. 

RISQS reports into the RSSB Board, and RSSB provides a range of services to support operational delivery of the scheme. This includes the production and development of rail standards, which are required to be implemented for all companies working within the rail industry. For more information about the RSSB visit here – https://www.rssb.co.uk/en

How do I get RISQS Certified?

The RISQS qualification scheme is made up of 3 key elements:

 1. Complete & submit the application

Register on the RISQS Portal. Complete and submit the application questionnaire, ensuring the correct protocols and applicable RICCL / product codes are selected.

 2. Prepare for the audit

Create the policies, procedures and forms that are required for the protocol requirements and set up a rail compliant management system.

3. Undergo and pass the audit

Undergo the RISQS audit which measures your compliance against the requirements of the RISQS protocols and rail standards.

Supporting your success in becoming RISQS certified

What do we do?

Supporting you with submitting your information:

  • RISQS Registration
  • Questionnaire completion and submission
  • Submitting the correct RICCL/Product codes applicable to your organisation
  • Getting your company on track for success

Pre-Audit:

  • Create your policies, procedures and forms
  • Provide you with a company-specific rail compliant management system (that also aligns with ISO standards)
  • Ensuring you are fully set up to pass the RISQS audit
  • Access to rail competent health, safety, environmental support and quarterly rail updates

The Audit:

  • Provide in office, web or telephone support on the day of your audit.

Our service is completely tailored to your organisation to guarantee you gain your RISQS certification. 

In addition to getting you certified, we can provide ongoing support to ensure changes to standards are implemented quickly and seamlessly, and secure your compliance at all times. 

Ongoing services include:

  • Compliance Support
  • Sentinel Management Support
  • Network Rail Rule Book Updates
  • TfL Support (London Underground/DLR etc.)
  • Quarterly Rail Industry Standards Updates
  • Health, Safety and Environmental Updates
  • Internal Auditing and Management System Review
  • Work Site Inspections
  • Senior Management Review Meetings 
  • Compliance Support
  • Sentinel Management Support

If you want to know more about the certification process read our Guide to RISQS Certification.

Our Approach

We don’t just write documents and walk away. Our RISQS consultants build a management system around how your business actually operates, so you can evidence compliance on audit day and every day after it. From your first gap analysis to ongoing support after certification, we work through seven clear steps:

  • Step 1

    Clipboard Clipboard

    Competent Person Service Setup

    We provide comprehensive guidance and resources to set you up for success, including:

    • Appointment as your dedicated RISQS Consultant / Competent Rail Safety Advisor
    • Ongoing email and telephone advice for quick support
    • Regular updates on rail sector HSQE requirements
    • Quarterly rail industry newsletters
    • Quarterly Rail Standard Reviews
    • Hands-on support to prepare for your annual RISQS audit
    • Annual review and updates of HSQE policies

  • RISQS Compliance Gap Analysis

    Our experts conduct a thorough gap analysis of your current management systems against RISQS protocols Network Rail and LUL standards. You’ll receive:

    • A formal report highlighting areas for improvement
    • Clear recommendations for achieving compliance
    Chart-line Chart-line

    Step 2

  • Step 3

    Cog Cog

    Compliant Rail Management Systems

    We work with you to develop a fully compliant rail management system, customised to meet:

    • CORS RISQS requirements
    • Sentinel, CDM, and Safe Work Planning protocols
    • UK Health, Safety and Environmental law requirements

  • Compliance Matrix Development

    Our team will create a tailored compliance matrix that maps your alignment with the relevant RISQS requirements. Providing a clear snapshot of your system and where the system meets the requirements.

    Download Download

    Step 4

  • Step 5

    Pre-RISQS Audit

    Before the official audit, we ensure your readiness with:

    • A pre-RISQS audit to address any last-minute concerns
    • Consultancy support to secure your RISQS qualification/accreditation

  • RISQS Audit Support

    When audit day arrives, we’ll be there for you, providing expert advice and guidance to navigate the process with confidence.

    Calendar Calendar

    Step 6

  • Step 7

    Cw Cw

    Post-Audit Support and Ongoing Compliance

    Achieving certification is just the beginning. To ensure sustained compliance and continuous improvement, we offer:

    • Compliance Support: Regular assistance to maintain adherence to evolving standards.
    • Sentinel Management Support: Guidance on managing workforce competence and safety certifications.
    • Network Rail Rule Book Updates: Timely updates to keep your operations aligned with the latest regulations.
    • TfL Support: Assistance with compliance specific to London Underground and DLR requirements.
    • Quarterly Rail Industry Standards Updates: Stay informed about changes in industry standards.
    • Health, Safety, and Environmental Updates: Regular briefings to keep your policies current.
    • Internal Auditing and Management System Review: Periodic reviews to ensure your management systems remain effective.
    • Work Site Inspections: On-site evaluations to verify compliance in real-world settings.
    • Senior Management Review Meetings: Strategic sessions to align compliance efforts with organizational goals.

  • Step 1

    Clipboard Clipboard

    Competent Person Service Setup

    We provide comprehensive guidance and resources to set you up for success, including:

    Appointment as your dedicated RISQS Consultant / Competent Rail Safety Advisor

    Ongoing email and telephone advice for quick support

    Regular updates on rail sector HSQE requirements

    Quarterly rail industry newsletters

    Quarterly Rail Standard Reviews

    Hands-on support to prepare for your annual RISQS audit

    Annual review and updates of HSQE policies

  • RISQS Compliance Gap Analysis

    Our experts conduct a thorough gap analysis of your current management systems against RISQS protocols Network Rail and LUL standards. You’ll receive:

    A formal report highlighting areas for improvement

    Clear recommendations for achieving compliance

    Chart-line Chart-line

    Step 2

  • Step 3

    Cog Cog

    Compliant Rail Management Systems

    We work with you to develop a fully compliant rail management system, customised to meet:

    CORS RISQS requirements

    Sentinel, CDM, and Safe Work Planning protocols

    UK Health, Safety and Environmental law requirements

  • Compliance Matrix Development

    Our team will create a tailored compliance matrix that maps your alignment with the relevant RISQS requirements. Providing a clear snapshot of your system and where the system meets the requirements.

    Download Download

    Step 4

  • Step 5

    Pre-RISQS Audit

    Before the official audit, we ensure your readiness with:

    A pre-RISQS audit to address any last-minute concerns

    Consultancy support to secure your RISQS qualification/accreditation

  • RISQS Audit Support

    When audit day arrives, we’ll be there for you, providing expert advice and guidance to navigate the process with confidence.

    Calendar Calendar

    Step 6

  • Step 7

    Cw Cw

    Post-Audit Support and Ongoing Compliance

    Achieving certification is just the beginning. To ensure sustained compliance and continuous improvement, we offer:

    Compliance Support: Regular assistance to maintain adherence to evolving standards.

    Sentinel Management Support: Guidance on managing workforce competence and safety certifications.

    Network Rail Rule Book Updates: Timely updates to keep your operations aligned with the latest regulations.

    TfL Support: Assistance with compliance specific to London Underground and DLR requirements.

    Quarterly Rail Industry Standards Updates: Stay informed about changes in industry standards.

    Health, Safety, and Environmental Updates: Regular briefings to keep your policies current.

    Internal Auditing and Management System Review: Periodic reviews to ensure your management systems remain effective.

    Work Site Inspections: On-site evaluations to verify compliance in real-world settings.

    Senior Management Review Meetings: Strategic sessions to align compliance efforts with organizational goals.

Half-Day RISQS Training and Coaching

In addition to our core services, we offer a half-day RISQS training and coaching session to empower you and your team. This session covers:

  • RISQS Portal Navigation: Streamline your profile and compliance management.
  • Audit Process Mastery: Understand what auditors are looking for and how to stay prepared.
  • Key Protocols: Learn the essential audit standards to maintain accreditation.
  • CIRAS Overview: Promote workplace safety through anonymous reporting systems.

Sentinel Training: Ensure your team meets on-site safety and competence standards.

Why Use Us

With more than 1,800 successful RISQS audits behind us, we know exactly what auditors look for and where suppliers lose points, and we prepare you for both. Many of our clients have stayed with us for over a decade. Based in Southport, we support rail suppliers across the North West and nationwide.

Expert Guidance

Learn from seasoned professionals with deep industry insight.

 Efficiency Gains

Save time by mastering tools and processes.

 Risk Mitigation

Reduce non-compliance risks with proven strategies.

We pride ourselves on our 100% success rate for RISQS Audits

1856

Successful RISQS Audits

1512

Site Inspections

100%

RISQS Certification Pass Rate

40+

Years Experience

What Our Clients Say…

We have developed a great partnership with Simpson Consultancy for over 13 consecutive years. They have been our one and only go to organisation providing us with solid and up to date advice and expertise for our RISQS and Health, Safety and Environment requirements. Their knowledge and advice is always up to date and communicated on a regular basis. I am safe in the knowledge that our business is always protected by their outstanding HSEQ expertise. Highly recommended if you operate in Rail, Construction and Industrial build processes.

Since setting up JRP in June 2014 we have been lucky enough to have had the support from Simpson Consultancy for Compliance and Audit purposes, the support has been second to none and I wouldn’t be without them, nothing is a problem and always there when you need them, knowledge is everything and what they bring to the table is justified year after year, a must for all Rail companies looking for this service.

To be compliant, to an ever-increasing demand of regulation and client expectation, a business needs professional support of the highest order. With Simpson Consultancy we, at DEUTZ AG, have engaged a business partner that is responsive to our needs and pivotal to our ongoing achievements within the Rail Industry and beyond. Thanks for all you’ve done over the last three years and continue to do for us.

Simpson Consultancy have worked with us since we formed the business in 2020.  They have used their knowledge and expertise to support us in many ways including the production of documentation, internal audits and operational support.  They have helped us to ensure that our systems are compliant for all aspects of Health and Safety and have provided up to date standards when required on several occasions.  The pressures of RISQS accreditation are almost non-existent with the level of Simpson Consultancy’s audit experience and Railway specific knowledge.
We would strongly recommend them.

Simpson consultancy has always provided Haigh Rail Ltd with the highest level of support with our HSEQ & RISQS Compliance. Providing one to one sessions ensuring we are up to date with the latest information and also the support with audits preparation. Simpson Consultancy are both highly professional and are always approachable. Offering nothing but the best service and advice, we highly recommend them.

Get in Touch

Click on the headings below to read more about the RISQS Certification Scheme & Requirements.

CORE is the main RISQS audit. It checks that your management system meets rail industry requirements and works in practice. There are two versions:

  • CORS: for suppliers working on the operational railway, including trackside and lineside work. Passing CORS also covers non-operational work.
  • CNORS: for higher-risk suppliers to the rail industry who work outside the operational railway.

Both cover areas such as competence, legal compliance, subcontractor management, business continuity and corrective actions. Our RISQS consultants will confirm which one applies to you and get you audit-ready.

  • These are extra RISQS audits, on top of CORE, that apply depending on the work you do:

    • Sentinel: for companies that sponsor workers under the Sentinel scheme. It looks at how you manage the people you sponsor, including fatigue and working hours.
    • SWP (Safe Work Planning): for companies that plan safe systems of work and protection for trackside staff, under Network Rail’s standard NR/L2/OHS/019.
    • CDM: for suppliers with duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 on rail projects.

    For these protocols you’ll also need CIRAS membership, a For Cause drug and alcohol testing agreement with a RISQS-approved supplier, and a programme of regular unannounced testing. Our RISQS consultants will tell you which protocols you need and prepare you for each audit.

Railway Commodity Classification List codes (RICCL) is a list that contains all the equipment, materials and services that are purchased for the railway. They are to be selected as relevant to your company and inline with the scope of activities you wish to undertake, when working within the rail industry. The number of RICCL codes selected will determine the cost and duration of your audit, the more RICCL codes selected the larger the duration and cost. The more RICCL codes selected, the larger the duration and cost will be.

The Product & Service (RICCL) code brochure can be found at https://www.risqs.org/product-and-service-riccl-brochure/

  • A rail compliant management system that aligns with the RISQS protocol. This will include the required policies, procedures and forms which we will tailor to suit your company’s scope and requirements. A compliant management system is one of the most important elements to being successful during the process.
  • Access to rail competent health, safety, environmental support. We can support your company with this requirement acting as your competent RISQS consultant.
  • Access to Network Rail, Transport for London and Rail Group Standards. These can be found at: Network Rail – Standards Account Request

All protocols consist of a series of questions built around legislation, ACOPS, rail standards and ISO requirements. The auditor will review your company’s management arrangements and system following the questions set, to ensure each supplier works to certain standards, maintaining a high level of safety and quality across the rail sector.

CORE Non-Operational Railway Services (CNORS) – The CNORS requirements apply to all organisations whose activities are categorised as high risk and intending on delivering services outside the Operational Railway so as not to impact on the operational running of the railway.

CORE Operational Railway Services (CORS) – The CORS requirements apply to all organisations whose activities are categorised as high risk and intending to work within the boundaries of the operational railway. The Operational Railway for the module is currently defined as the following:  

– Trackside / On or near the line (within 3 metres (10 feet) of a line or 1.25 metres (4 feet) of a station platform edge if doing engineering or technical work)

 – Lineside (if between trackside and the boundary fence) 

– A position where safety critical work being performed may impact on the Operational Railway (i.e. within turn-back, reversing, loop, lay-by, lay-over sidings and depots). 

Sentinel – This includes the requirements of the CORE module but has additional requirements to satisfy the Sentinel protocol. This is aimed at companies planning to sponsor operatives to work within the rail industry.

Safe Work Planning (SWP) – This includes the requirements of the CORE, Sentinel and CDM modules, aimed at companies wanting to plan / manage access and works on the rail infrastructure.

CDM – The CDM module is applicable to any supplier discharging a duty defined within the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 (CDM) on multiple infrastructures. The module ensures compliance with the regulations and will be generated (if required)* when completing the online questionnaire.

Further information to useful module and scheme documentation can be found at – https://www.risqs.org/scheme-documents/

No, using a consultant isn’t a RISQS requirement, and some suppliers prepare on their own. But the audit judges your management system against the RISQS protocols, not against ISO certificates or other schemes you already hold. Many suppliers lose points because procedures exist on paper but can’t be evidenced in practice.

A RISQS consultant helps you get it right first time. We identify the protocols that apply to you, close the gaps before the audit and prepare your team for audit day.

A RISQS consultant prepares your business for its RISQS audit and helps you stay compliant afterwards. We confirm which protocols apply to you, review your management system against them and close any gaps. That can mean writing or updating procedures, setting up a Competent Person service, and running a pre-audit so there are no surprises on the day. After certification, we can support you with ongoing compliance, Sentinel management and Network Rail standards updates.

We have a 100% success rate of getting our clients RISQS certified

Enquire Today!

Simpson Consultancy has supported clients through more than 1,800 RISQS audits as their RISQS consultants. Contact us below for a free, no-obligation quote.

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