Acting in full compliance with all relevant statutory laws and regulations, EMSA management affirms its commitment to develop, implement and promote a quality culture aiming to fulfil the stakeholders’ requirements and expectations. 

This Quality Policy provides the framework for establishing the EMSA IQEMS and associated quality objectives, the processes set-up to achieve the objectives and the monitoring and review measures to ensure the effectiveness of the system and its continual improvement. Following a coherent Plan-Do-Check-Act management cycle, the EMSA IQEMS is integrated and aligned with other key management strategies and tools, such as the Agency multi-annual strategy and the single programming document, budgetary and financial management, ICS and risk management policy, procedures, EMAS, public procurement rules, and human resources management.

The main quality objectives of the EMSA IQEMS are:

• • To develop and continually improve a structured framework based on ISO 9001 requirements, supporting the qualitative execution of EMSA activities, to ensure that deliverables are meeting the mandatory requirements, the agreed outputs, and customers’ expectations;
  • Support the EC and the Member States in the harmonised implementation of Union maritime laws by providing objective, evidence-based evaluations of the implementation status;
  • Provide added-value maritime digital services to the MSs, European bodies, third countries and international organisations;
  • Provide effective and valuable contribution to the continual improvement of maritime capacity building services, including training.
  • Support the achievement of a safe, secure, and sustainable maritime transportation;
  • Establish a framework for formal review of our performance for continual improvement purposes;

This Quality Policy is complemented by a specific EMSA Academy System Manual (AMSM), the EMSA Academy Foundation & Principles and EMSA Academy Operational Handbook, providing additional details on how the Agency training courses are developed and delivered in line with the requirements of ISO 29993 for learning services outside formal education – the Academy Management System (AMS).

In addition to these high-level objectives, each process statement includes specific objectives (output) and associated KPIs used to measure and monitor the performance. The corporate KPIs requested by the ED are reported on a quarterly basis whilst the process specific KPIs are kept/recorded at process/unit level. The regular monitoring and reporting are complemented by - annually or whenever needed – a management review process to ensure the effectiveness of the system.

Necessary resources and facilities, including proper knowledge, training, communication means and suitable working environment, are made available to support the effective implementation of the IQEMS at all levels of the organisation. Taking the leadership of EMSA IQEMS, the ED is the driving force for ensuring the effective implementation through personal commitment and involvement, regular auditing and reviewing of processes; building staff motivation; ensuring stakeholders’ active involvement in defining and evaluating EMSA services and ultimately taking the responsibility for validation and releasing of deliverables.

Achieving this policy and objectives requires involvement of all staff members who are individually responsible for the quality of their work and for promoting a culture of continual improvement working environment.

This policy was communicated to the stakeholders and is publicly available on the Agency website. The policy will be reviewed whenever needed to ensure alignment with the work programme and associated objectives.

This Policy is issued by the EMSA Executive Director and can be used as a stand-alone IQEMS document, if needed.