Certification

ISO9001 is the internationally recognised standard for Quality Management Systems. It provides accreditation that the company that meets the criteria is using quality management principles with a strong emphasis on customers. It requires the motivation and involvement of the top management in the business providing a process driven approach and continuous development.

ISO 14001 is the international standard that specifies requirements for an effective Environmental Management System. It provides a framework that an organisation can follow, rather than establishing environmental performance requirements. This provides accreditation that the company is continually measuring and improving over time the environmental impact of the business.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a United Nations Special Agency tasked with overseeing international maritime shipping regulations. One of IMO’s most important responsibilities is establishing testing standards and safety protocols for seafaring ships and their cargo, as per the terms of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. One critical aspect of these standards is fire safety and flammability, and as part of those requirements The International Maritime Organization (IMO) wants to reduce the risk of flammable textiles such as carpet, and so stringent testing is in place to establish that the carpet is Wheelmark (MED) certified, which ensures that it is fire retardant and safe.

The flammability and fire tests include a non-combustibility test, smoke and toxicity tests, and surface flammability tests, and are among the most stringent in the industry.

An IMO certification is proof that, if a fire incident occurs on a vessel, these materials possess sufficient fire-retardant capabilities to stop or otherwise slow down the spread of a fire. These tests also ensure these materials don’t release toxic or environmentally harmful gases when burning or exposed to high heat.