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Quality Management ISO 19443 2018

Nuclear Energy Sector QMS

Quality management systems standard with specific requirements for organisations in the nuclear energy sector supply chain, addressing nuclear safety culture beyond ISO 9001.

nuclear energy manufacturing engineering
About This Standard

ISO 19443 specifies quality management system requirements for organisations in the nuclear energy sector supply chain. It extends ISO 9001 with nuclear-specific requirements addressing safety culture, graded approach, and the classification of safety-significant items where failures could have radiological consequences.

The standard applies to nuclear new-build projects, operating power stations, decommissioning activities, and fuel cycle facilities — ensuring supply chain organisations demonstrate the quality discipline required in the most safety-critical industrial environment.

ACI-certified auditors demonstrate competency in evaluating nuclear supply chain QMS and assessing the depth of safety culture embedded throughout quality management processes.

Examination Topic Areas
Nuclear safety culture requirements and assessment
Graded approach to quality management
ISO 9001 requirements applied in nuclear context
Configuration management for nuclear-classified items
Design control and independent technical review
Nuclear-specific documentation and traceability requirements
Manufacturing control and in-process inspection
Supplier qualification for nuclear safety-significant items
Examination & Certification Process
01
Attend Training

Attend an ACI-Approved Training Provider (ATP) course for your chosen grade level. ACI-approved courses are aligned to the examination syllabus for ISO 19443.

02
Sit the Examination

Examinations are administered exclusively through ACI Approved Training Providers. Foundation and Internal Auditor examinations require 70% to pass; Lead Auditor requires 65%.

03
Apply for Certification

Submit your application through the ACI portal with your examination result, training certificate, and relevant audit experience log. Upon approval you receive your ACI Card ID and digital certificate.

Scheme Details
Standard ISO 19443
Edition 2018
Category Quality Management
Cert. Period 3 years
Framework ISO/IEC 17024 Aligned
Available Grades PA · AA · AU · LA · PR · FACI
All Certification Schemes
Auditor Grades

Available Grades for ISO 19443

All six ACI auditor grades are available for this scheme. Each grade has defined competence, experience, and examination requirements.

PA
Provisional Auditor

Entry-level certification for those beginning their auditing career. Suitable for individuals who have completed foundation training but have limited audit experience.

Foundation examination pass (70%)
No prior audit experience required
Annual CPD requirement applies
AA
Associate Auditor

For auditors who have completed Internal Auditor training and have begun accumulating audit experience under supervision or in an internal audit role.

Internal Auditor examination pass
Minimum 2 internal audits conducted
Annual CPD requirement applies
AU
Auditor

Full auditor grade for practitioners with demonstrated audit experience. Recognised as a competent independent auditor of management systems.

Internal Auditor examination pass
Minimum 5 complete audits
Annual CPD requirement applies
LA
Lead Auditor

Senior grade for experienced auditors capable of leading audit teams and managing full audit programmes. The most widely recognised auditor grade internationally.

Lead Auditor examination pass (65%)
Lead Auditor training course
Minimum 10 complete audits as team lead
PR
Principal Auditor

Advanced grade for highly experienced auditors demonstrating sustained performance in complex audit environments and contributions to the auditing profession.

Lead Auditor grade prerequisite
Minimum 5 years audit experience
Professional development portfolio
FACI
Fellow of ACI

The highest ACI designation, awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the management system auditing profession and to the ACI community.

By nomination and committee review
Exceptional professional contribution
Sustained ACI membership
Ready to certify in ISO 19443?

Find an Approved Training Provider, sit the examination, and submit your application to ACI.