Ties Joosten about quality: “We always want to make the Netherlands a little better”

The infrastructure and sports division consists of Kiwa KOAC and Kiwa ISA Sport. They are jointly responsible for quality controls of the mobility infrastructure and sports facilities in the Netherlands. Since March last year, both departments have been housed in the brand new laboratory in Apeldoorn. “Everything is tested here, from gas pipes to electrical appliances and sports fields. In the Infrastructure and Sports division we have 150 different tests for sports fields and 300 for roads. There is a different test for each standard,” says Ties enthusiastically.

Safe roads

Kiwa KOAC mainly focuses on Dutch roads. “We map the quality of Dutch roads. Suppose a contractor has built or renovated a new road. We then take samples and check whether this has been done correctly. We also carry out road measurements with special measuring vehicles. For example, we determine whether a road needs maintenance.”

Ties clearly has Kiwa's social function in mind. Through the many tests they carry out in Apeldoorn, Kiwa contributes to a culture of quality and trust. “We always want to make the Netherlands a little better,” says Ties. “We conduct our tests to improve quality. Whether it concerns artificial grass fields or roads, we must be able to trust that the products we use are safe. This helps us prevent injuries and accidents.”

 “We need to be able to trust that the products we use are safe.”

Triangle

Kiwa is a so-called TIC company, TIC stands for testing, inspection and certification. This makes Kiwa an essential part of the quality infrastructure in the Netherlands. Ties: “Quality in the Netherlands is guaranteed by a triangle consisting of standards, TIC companies and the Accreditation Council. Standards are drawn up by, for example, the NEN or the Association of Scheme Managers. The TIC companies test, inspect and certify according to the established standards and the Accreditation Council checks whether the results of the test companies are reliable. Collectively, our goal is to improve the safety and quality of products and services.”

Quality infrastructure platform

The various parties that guarantee quality have recently been united in the Quality Infrastructure Platform. Ties explains that they want to create more awareness. “We want to form one large party towards The Hague. There are constantly new innovations and developments that need to be tested. Nitrogen measurements and PFAS are currently topical, but we have more social problems. We as a platform can contribute to this.”

Together, the affiliated companies are committed to achieving, monitoring and guaranteeing the desired quality. At the same time, Ties concludes that we apply a very high standard. “We can always improve cooperation, but compared to abroad we have arranged things well. We can be proud of the quality in the Netherlands.”