Quality Assurance Subcommittee | Objectives

Compendium of Subcommittee Status

Section 2: Objectives
Initial Objectives and Their Current Status

Objective 1:

Build on AAR & Existing Railroad Quality Assurance Programs for Suppliers

Status:

A review of various audit standards was conducted by the Standards Working Group. AAR M-1003 was selected as the Audit Standard. Its acceptance has been voted upon and passed by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM)–Rail Industry Forum (RIF)–Quality System Standards Subcommittee (QSSS). The group’s name was changed in 1999 to the Quality Assurance Subcommittee.

 

Objective 2:

Provide Quality Assurance Requirements that Meet the Highest Standards of Quality Assurance that Exists Among the Railroads

Status:

The AAR M-1003, Chapter 2, was accepted with the provision that the AAR M-1003 Standard is subjected to continuous improvement through regular review and revision. 

 

Objective 3:

Institute Auditor Accreditation Requirements that Comply with AAR and other National Standards

Status:

To date the Standards Working Group has Reviewed AAR M-1003, ASQC and QMI Audit Standards. Their acceptance has been voted upon and passed by the QAS.

 

Objective 4:

Evaluate the AAR QA Committee as a body for handling Auditor Accreditation and Auditor Training

Status:

The adoption of ASQC, QMI, and AAR M-1003 Auditor Accreditation renders this Objective null and void. A document stating certification from any of these three organizations will be accepted.

 

Objective 5:

Determination of Equitable Funding of Expenses for Supplier Auditing and Sources to Offset those Expenses

Status:

Early in the development of the program, it became clear that this objective was not compatible with ISM policy. To eliminate the need for funding of the program, implementation has been delegated to each participating Railroad. It will be the responsibility of the individual Railroad to Obtain an Audit Report conducted by an Accredited Auditor. The Audit must meet the requirements of the ISM Standard and objective evidence must be available in regard to Auditor Credentials.

 

Objective 6:

Researching the Financing and Operation of a Clearing House

Status:

Early in the program the operation of a Clearing House was dismissed due to Anti-Trust implications. The Individual Railroad to Individual Supplier Approach was then pursued.

 

Objective 7:

Setting a Master Schedule of Certification and Compliance Audits

Status:

Again Anti-Trust Implications required the disregard of this item.

 

Objective 8:

Preparation of an Audit Standard that is Clear and Consistent for All Suppliers

Status:

Same as Objective 1, Above.