Certification and assurance services

Expertise Why WSP Assurance About WSP Assurance Services FAQ

WSP Assurance operates as a separate and entirely independent business within WSP to provide independent certification and assurance services for the rail sector.

We help clients reduce risk, build confidence and support safe, compliant and high-performing assets, systems and products.

Across the full lifecycle, from design and manufacture to testing, approval and operation, we provide trusted, technically robust assurance services for infrastructure managers, asset owners, operators and railway product manufacturers.

Assurance, inspection and certification services

WSP Assurance operates as an independent business within WSP, giving clients and stakeholders confidence that every assessment is carried out by competent personnel with impartiality and confidentiality. We apply strict internal controls to identify, review and manage any potential conflicts of interest at the personal, project or company level. Certification decisions are made by designated Signatories who are independent of the project work itself. This helps ensure every assessment is delivered impartially and in line with WSP Assurance’s accredited processes.

To view our independent assurance policy in full visit our Acting with integrity page

Why choose WSP Assurance

Rail domain specialists

Our rail specialists prepare every output and provide constructive, practical feedback throughout the process.

Efficiency and collaboration

Our tailored tools and proven processes help reduce administration, minimize delays and support efficient delivery.

International network

We bring industry best practice and proven techniques shaped by assessments on major rail and transit projects around the world.

An industry voice

Our assessors contribute to working groups and industry forums that help shape technical standards and assessment criteria.

About WSP Assurance

Our approach

Our approach is built on the belief that assurance should add value, not become a box-ticking exercise or an unnecessary burden on project teams.

By involving our assessors from the earliest stages of a project, clients gain practical insight that helps strengthen decision-making, streamline processes and reduce avoidable risk. Through open, constructive dialogue we help to remove unnecessary administration and develop an appropriate approvals strategy with fewer delays and cost overruns.

Appeals and complaints

If a client wishes to make a complaint or appeal, for example, in relation to a certification decision or assessment outcome, they should contact WSP Assurance in the first instance via [email protected]. To help us review the matter efficiently, the client should include details of the complaint or appeal, together with the name of any WSP Assurance contact connected to the relevant project or opportunity.

A member of our team will acknowledge receipt and support the client through the process. The matter will then be referred to our Head of Accredited Services, who will determine whether it relates to activities for which WSP Assurance is responsible and confirm how it will be handled.

The investigation and decision will be carried out by an appropriate person within WSP Assurance and reviewed by an independent colleague from the WSP quality and safety team who has not been involved in the certification or inspection activity concerned. This helps ensure the process is fair, impartial and free from discrimination.

Where relevant, the complaint or appeal will be logged and tracked through the WSP Rail Improvement Tool (RIT). As per our Improvement Process, we will keep the client informed throughout the process, including confirming receipt, providing progress updates, and issuing formal notice once the matter has been concluded.

We welcome feedback on our complaints and appeals process. Please send feedback to WSP Assurance.

Information for clients

Certificates

Notified Body (NoBo) certificates issued by WSP Assurance are available through the ERADIS website, which hosts a database of certificates issued under the Interoperability Directive for rail products and applications.

If a client needs a copy of a relevant Formal Accredited Output e.g., a Certificate or Safety Assessment Report issued by WSP Assurance for a system, product or application, they should contact WSP Assurance at this email address: [email protected].

Financial

Fees are agreed through a proposal prepared by WSP Assurance following a review of the relevant documentation and discussions with the client. To discuss a potential commission and likely fees, please contact WSP Assurance.

Processes and procedures

WSP Assurance entities are accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS), the Dutch National Accreditation Body (RvA), the Spanish National Accreditation Body (ENAC), the Chinese National Accreditation Body (CNAS) and Denmark's National Accreditation Body (DANAK) against ISO 17065, ISO 17020 or ISO 17025, depending on the scope of each accreditation.

Our services are delivered through defined service manuals supported by a top-level management framework that sets out how WSP Assurance is organized and operates. Each service follows an evaluation scheme aligned to its scope and is delivered through a defined assessment plan. More information is available on request from WSP Assurance.

Rights of Applicants/Clients

The rights and responsibilities of applicants are set out in the relevant service documentation and confirmed in client proposals. This includes the right to appeal certification decisions and to raise a complaint if the service provided does not meet expectations.

Our accreditations

For a list of accreditations held by the companies in WSP Assurance visit our Certificates page.

WSP Rail Compliance Tool

The Rail Compliance Tool (RCT) is a cloud-based technology used to deliver assurance projects from requirements capture through to acceptance and certification.

Developed for the rail industry, and unique to WSP Assurance, the RCT provides a secure, shared environment where client teams and independent assessors can collaboratively perform assurance activities and exchange feedback throughout the project lifecycle.

Starting with identifying requirements from an international library of industry standards, the RCT becomes the single source for checklists, evidence, compliance arguments, reports and conclusions.

And with live status dashboards available to all teams on a 24/7 basis, the tool supports open and transparent relationships, ensuring no hidden surprises along the route to compliance.

Our services

Notified Body (Approved Body – UK)

In the rail sector, particularly in EU member states, a Notified Body (NoBo) assesses whether railway products and systems conform to relevant standards, such as the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs). This is an accredited service delivered in line with the requirements of EN 17065, the international standard for certification bodies.

In the UK, WSP Assurance is also accredited to provide Approved Body (ApBo) services under the Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011, as amended.

Following the UK’s departure from the EU in January 2021, much of the legislative framework remained in place, although some terminology changed. In the UK, TSIs were replaced by National Rules (NRs), and the term Notified Body became Approved Body. An ApBo is responsible for assessing railway subsystems against the relevant NRs.

Designated Body

In the rail sector, a Designated Body (DeBo) assesses whether railway products and systems conform to the Notified National Technical Rules (NNTRs) of the relevant EU member state. This is an accredited service delivered in line with the requirements of EN 17065, the international standard for certification bodies.

Assessment Body

An Assessment Body (AsBo) assesses whether a project complies with the European Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation and Assessment (CSM RA) and whether the resulting evidence is acceptable.

This is an accredited service delivered in line with the requirements of EN 17020 for inspection bodies. The same service applies to UK, European and Canadian implementations of the CSM RA.

Independent Verification and Validation

Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) assesses whether a product, system or entire railway meets a client’s specified requirements for safety, RAM, functionality and quality.

This typically involves audits and assessments carried out across the product or system lifecycle to gather the evidence needed to support certification, should the relevant criteria be met.

Rail Independent Security Assessment (Cyber)

An Independent Cyber Security Assessment assesses whether a product or subsystem meets relevant security assurance requirements, such as a network operator’s Security Assurance Framework or other applicable industry guidance.

This may include the implementation of the Networks and Information Systems (NIS) Directive, the CPNI/NPSA Code of Practice for Security-Informed Safety, and voluntary standards such as IEC 62443 and CENELEC CLC/TS 50701.

Independent Safety Assessment

An Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) assesses whether a product, system or entire railway meets relevant safety assurance requirements.

Accredited ISA services are delivered in line with the requirements of EN 17020 for inspection bodies. Non-accredited ISA can also be provided in line with a client’s specific requirements, drawing on the accredited methodology wherever possible. This may include Independent Safety Assessment and Independent Software Assurance.

Rail Assurance Testing

Rail Assurance Testing helps clients confirm whether a product, subsystem or infrastructure asset meets specified requirements through accredited testing and measurement services delivered in line with ISO 17025.

Using deep technical knowledge, we translate requirements into clear test specifications, carry out test programmes, and provide reports with practical, evidence-based conclusions. This often includes coordination of test runs on operational railways to collect key measurements.

Our specialists bring expertise across rolling stock, track, signalling, subsystems, electromagnetic compatibility and associated rail systems. Drawing on extensive operational and regulatory experience, we provide testing that supports confident decision-making and can contribute to NoBo and DeBo technical files.

Independent Competent Person

An Independent Competent Person (ICP) provides expert, independent judgement in a specific technical or operational field on behalf of a client or industry authority.

This service is used to assess whether a product, system or project meets defined requirements, standards or performance expectations, drawing on deep technical expertise and sector knowledge.

Assessment Party

An Assessment Party is unique to the UK rail market and is required when an Applicant makes an engineering change to a rail vehicle that is not deemed a renewal or upgrade (which would then require the services of an Approved Body / Designated Body).

WSP Assurance is accredited to EN 17065 by UKAS to provide assessments in accordance with RIS-2700-RST, ‘Rail Industry Standard for Verification of Conformity of Engineering Change to Rail Vehicles’, which extends across mainline passenger and freight vehicles, as well as with RIS-2003-RST (covering steam locomotives and heritage rail vehicles) and RIS-1710-PLT (On Track Machines (OTM)). This role is distinct from a CSM RA Assessment Body, which assesses risk management processes under separate regulatory requirements.

Plant Assessment Body

A Plant Assessment Body (PAB) provides independent assessment of rail products to demonstrate compliance with RIS 1710-PLT, enabling their acceptance for use on Network Rail managed infrastructure. This process ensures that new or modified products are safe, fit for purpose, and compatible with the operational railway environment.

WSP Assurance is accredited by UKAS against the requirements of EN 17065 to deliver PAB services in accordance with RIS 1710 PLT, Engineering Certification of Railborne Plant and the Assessment of Non- Railborne Plant. Our services support a wide range of On-Track Machines (OTMs).

Independent Certification Body

An Independent Certification Body (ICB), as defined within the UK rail industry, provides independent verification where an Applicant seeks to run a new heritage vehicle on the GB mainline railway (which are outside the scope of the (National Technical Specification Notices) NTSNs), annual recertification, or an engineering change to steam locomotives or heritage rail vehicles within the scope of RIS 2003 RST. This role supports the demonstration of compliance for changes that fall outside renewal or upgrade frameworks.

WSP Assurance is accredited by UKAS against the requirements of EN 17065 to act as an ICB in accordance with RIS 2003 RST, Rail Industry Standard for Verification of Conformity of Engineering Change to Steam Locomotives and Heritage Rail Vehicles. Our expertise covers a wide range of heritage and steam applications operating on both mainline and heritage railways.

Frequently asked questions

What is 'third party' or 'independent' assurance?

Like many safety-critical sectors, railways involve a wide range of stakeholders - including governments, regulators, financial institutions and passengers - who expect independent assurance on matters of safety and quality, particularly for major construction programmes and publicly funded procurement.

An independent third party is appointed to assess whether a project is progressing in line with relevant industry, national or international standards, and technical specifications. This requires specialist technical judgement and previous experience to help ensure the final outcome meets the original intent, is fit for operation and, where required, supports the issue of formal certificates.

In many cases the independent party must also be accredited, which means its competence and processes are regularly audited by the relevant authorities. Just as importantly, it must have no financial or technical interest in the project, allowing it to act impartially and in the interests of all stakeholders. WSP Assurance applies strict internal controls to identify, review, manage and, where necessary, avoid potential conflicts of interest. This helps ensure every assessment is impartial and carried out in line with accredited processes.

When to appoint a Notified Body

In the rail sector, particularly in EU member states, a Notified Body (NoBo) must be appointed for major construction, upgrade and renewal projects before permission can be granted for a system to enter service.

The organization responsible for bringing a subsystem into service or placing a product on the market, known as the Applicant, appoints the NoBo to confirm that the relevant technical specifications have been met.

The NoBo provides specialist teams to gather evidence of compliance and compile the documentation required for submission to the relevant authority, such as a National Safety Authority or the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA).

Appointing a NoBo early in the project helps to clarify the extent of evidence required, identify issues sooner, and support an efficient approvals process.

A Designated Body (DeBo) plays a similar role at a national level, assessing conformity against the Notified National Technical Rules (NNTRs).

How do railway projects benefit from independent verification and validation?

Railway projects are becoming increasingly complex, making it important to identify and address high-risk areas as early as possible.

Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) assesses whether a system under development meets the client’s requirements for safety, functionality, RAM and quality.

Verification assesses whether the railway is being developed in line with the specified requirements.
Validation assesses whether the overall system will be fit for purpose in operation.

This work requires specialists with deep rail systems expertise and a strong understanding of operational best practice, helping clients reduce risk, improve confidence and support successful delivery.

What is an Independent Safety Assessment?

An Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) is a third-party assessment that confirms whether a product, system or entire railway meets the relevant safety requirements, standards and regulatory expectations.

It can cover the safety assessment and audit of design, manufacture, installation, testing and safety documentation, as well as the procedures, preparations and safety arrangements needed before a railway enters service or a product is placed on the market.

ISA can be delivered as an accredited service where required, or as a non-accredited service aligned to a client’s specific needs. In both cases, it provides independent assurance that safety has been addressed in a robust and structured way.

When does a project require an Assessment Body?

A project typically requires an Assessment Body (AsBo) when a significant engineering, operational or organizational change must be assessed under the Common Safety Method for Risk Evaluation and Assessment (CSM RA).

In the EU and UK, the CSM RA provides a mandatory framework for evaluating and managing risk associated with changes to the mainline railway. It was introduced to support a more consistent approach to hazard management and to make assessments easier to recognize across national authorities.

The organization responsible for the change, known as the Proposer, may be an infrastructure manager, railway undertaking, entity in charge of maintenance, manufacturer or another body seeking authorization to place a system into service.

The AsBo is appointed as an independent party to assess how the hazard management and safety risk process has been applied throughout the project. This assessment confirms whether the project complies with the CSM RA, with the final output typically issued as a Safety Assessment Report.

Lead and grow

What if you could build a career that’s as unique as you? With us you can.

Search and apply