Why Compliance Isn’t Just Red Tape – It’s the Foundation of Quality
When it comes to public sector projects, compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about ensuring quality, longevity, and efficiency. In the field of fencing and fabrication, standards like ISO 9001 and EN 1090 (ISO 3834) play a crucial role in guaranteeing that projects meet stringent quality benchmarks. While certifications like Safe-T-Cert are also part of the regulatory landscape, it’s the ISOs that directly impact fabrication, installation, and long-term performance.
ISO 9001: More Than Just Paperwork
ISO 9001 is often misunderstood as just another bureaucratic hoop to jump through. But in reality, it forces companies to get their house in order. As Brian Moloney, Production Manager, puts it: “You may be forgiven for thinking that 9001 is a kind of a box-ticking exercise, but it actually forces you to get your house in order.”
By streamlining processes from top management down to the workshop floor, ISO 9001 reduces waste, improves accountability, and ultimately leads to cost savings. “It ensures that all paperwork is filled out, it has to be there when it’s supposed to be there. And it also keeps our costs down… it makes us more efficient in doing what we do.”
The Role of EN 1090 (ISO 3834) in Welding Standards
For structural steelwork, EN 1090 is a non-negotiable requirement. It mandates that every step in the fabrication process – from material selection to welding – is documented and certified. This isn’t about red tape; it’s about ensuring that what’s built today will last for decades.
“Everything has to be certified. There’s a paper trail for everything that we buy between mills, pastures, and even to staff. Each and every welder on staff has to be qualified. It’s not just a box-ticking exercise.” – Brian Moloney, Production Manager
Why This Matters for Public Projects
If you’re managing a large-scale public project, what do you care about? Cost, timelines, aesthetics, and above all – reliability. The fencing and steelwork on a development are the first things people see when they arrive on-site. Poor quality means costly replacements down the line.
With certified processes in place, clients can have confidence that they’re getting products built to last. “Our client can have the comfort in knowing that we have all our processes in order, and we have everything working as it should be.”
“The first thing that you see when you drive up to a development is the fence. First impressions last.”
The Bottom Line
Compliance isn’t just a regulatory burden – it’s a commitment to doing things right. In public sector projects, where budgets are scrutinised, deadlines are tight, and quality is paramount, choosing a supplier with the right accreditations isn’t optional. It’s essential.
“The ISO ensures that the quality of workmanship carried out on the product will mean that it will last in 50 years’ time.”
So next time you’re specifying fencing for a project, ask yourself: will it still be standing in 50 years? “We actually still drive past fences that were around for around 50 years and are still standing to this day.” If the supplier is ISO-certified, the answer is likely yes.
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