The work of QM e.V. is recognised internationally

The biennial CITA conference was held this time under the heading ‘Mutual Recognition and Continuous Compliance’. The Association for Quality Management in Vehicle Inspection (QM e.V.) participated for the first time.

Branch manager Viktor Kretzschmann reported on the work and successes of the quality initiative, which has been running for over three years, thereby addressing one of the central topics of the congress. Experience has shown that, in addition to accreditation and the QM systems installed by recognised organisations, uniform and neutral measurement and evaluation procedures are necessary to create the necessary transparency for authorities and supervisory bodies.

In Kretzschmann's view, the model of not only referring to uniform standards but also measuring the quality of inspections carried out across organisations using uniform procedures and uniform assessment criteria is an essential prerequisite for future discussions in Europe on the mutual recognition of inspections within the framework of periodic technical vehicle inspections. In this sense, the experience gained is particularly valuable because, for the first time, a model jointly supported by competitors shows how quality improvements can be achieved sustainably and efficiently.

‘Can the system of uniform quality controls practised in Germany serve as a model for Europe?’ was the question posed in the CITA's final communiqué. Numerous enquiries from Germany and abroad about the work of QM e.V. already confirm the great interest in this model.

The next conference, which will take place in Seville in two years' time, will be dedicated specifically to this topic.