AZTERLAN Metallurgy Research Centre becomes one of the first innovation agents in Spain to obtain this recognition, which supports innovation management aimed at developing its technological activity and transferring knowledge in the field of metallurgy and metal processing technologies.
The AZTERLAN Metallurgical Research Center recently obtained certification for its Innovation Management System under the UNE-EN ISO 56001:2024 standard. This certificate, granted by the certifying entity Bureau Veritas, endorses AZTERLAN’s capabilities and innovative approach to developing its R&D&i activities in key areas such as advanced manufacturing technologies, artificial intellingence, development of expert solutions, product engineering, and sustainability and evironment.
In the words of Garikoitz Artola (Managing Director of Fundación Azterlan), “This recognition not only demonstrates our ability to adapt and respond quickly to the needs of the industrial sector and the changing market situation in a systematic manner, but also reflects our willingness to advance along the path of continuous improvement with the aim of continuing to add value through our activities: the generation and transfer of advanced metallurgical knowledge and the development of tangible innovative solutions to continue building a robust and competitive industry.”
The ISO 56001 standard came into force in November 2024 and belongs to the ISO 56000 family, in line with the high-level structure common to other ISO management systems. The standard emphasizes the importance of corporate culture, leadership, and risk and opportunity management as drivers of the innovation process.
Before that standard, innovation management was regulated by the Spanish standard UNE 166002:2021 for R&D&i management (under which AZTERLAN had been certified since 2019). This standard has been replaced by the new UNE-EN ISO 56001 standard, which, in addition to providing a more strategic approach to innovation, offers a framework for international application and, consequently, a more comprehensive approach and greater recognition of the certification.
This accreditation complements and strengthens AZTERLAN’s technological capacity to respond to the needs of industry. In the field of R&D&i, AZTERLAN is also recognized by the French Government’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation as an accredited body for conducting R&D activities with private companies.
The Technological Services area of AZTERLAN is also accredited by the NATIONAL ACCREDITATION ENTITY (ENAC), in accordance with the criteria set out in the UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025 Standard (CGA-ENAC-LEC) for carrying out mechanical, metallographic, chemical, non-destructive and corrosion tests on metallic materials within the framework of accreditation no. 59/LE069, and has the NADCAP (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) accreditation, which certifies the technical competence of the Center as a testing laboratory for the characterization of metallic materials (MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORY).
