Consulting for Kardemir: TSI recertification successfully completed

As part of the “IRON STEEL KARDEMIR” project, W.S. Werkstoff Service GmbH worked with the Turkish rail manufacturer Kardemir A.Ş. from summer 2014 to obtain approval for its rail production for the European market, particularly Germany.

Following successful consulting and the required qualification tests in our accredited testing laboratory, Kardemir received the relevant TSI certificates (Technical Specifications for Interoperability). These allow the rails to be used on both conventional and high-speed lines.

A key requirement was to lay test rails made from R260 steel on a DB AG trial track, which entered service in October 2016. With our support, Kardemir also obtained approval to participate in DB AG tenders under its manufacturer-related product qualification scheme (HPQ).

Recertification and extension of TSI approval

During its scheduled TSI recertification, Kardemir took the opportunity to extend its existing certification. The aim was to include a new production technology – head hardening – within the existing certification scope. All production and testing processes associated with this technology had to be systematically recorded, described and integrated into Kardemir’s existing quality management system.

Another part of the project involved integrating external testing processes. The tests performed at Karabük University had to be described in detail and included in the university laboratory’s scope of accreditation. This extension ensured that external testing services also fully met the requirements of TSI certification.

Compliance with TSI requirements was first checked during a comprehensive on-site pre-audit by W.S. Werkstoff Service GmbH. Both the documentation and the test results were evaluated in detail. The official TSI audit was then carried out by the certification body EB Cert in accordance with TSI Regulation 1299/2014, “Infrastructure of the rail system in the European Union”, of 18 November 2014.

The result: the audit was successfully completed without any nonconformities.

Certified rail profiles and materials

Since 27 September 2017, Kardemir A.Ş. has held the relevant TSI certificates for the following rail profiles:

• Steel grade R260: 46E2, 49E1, 49E5, 50E4, 50E6, 54E1, 54E4, 60E1, 60E2
• Steel grade R350HT: 49E1, 49E5, 54E1, 60E1, 60E2

Conclusion

The project illustrates how targeted consulting, structured process integration and close cooperation between all parties can enable even complex certification and scope-extension projects to be completed efficiently. Successful recertification without nonconformities demonstrates the effectiveness of the implemented processes and provides a foundation for a lasting position in the European railway market.