Ties Joosten on quality: "We want to make the Netherlands a little bit better all the time"

The Netherlands has the op second best roads in the world. Kiwa's road construction laboratory plays a major role in ensuring the quality of the Dutch road network. Ties Joosten is director of the Infra & Sport division at Kiwa as well as chairman of industry association Fenelab. He explains how the tests and measurements in the laboratory are essential to keep our roads at top level.

The infra and sports division consists of Kiwa KOAC and Kiwa ISA Sport. Together they are responsible for quality control of mobility infrastructure and sports facilities in the Netherlands. Since March last year, both divisions 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 Infra and Sport division, we have 150 different tests for sports fields and 300 for roads. There is a different test for each standard," Ties explains enthusiastically.

Safe roads

Kiwa KOAC focuses primarily on Dutch roads. "We map the quality of Dutch roads. Suppose a contractor has built or renovated a new road. Then we take samples and see if that was done in the right way. We also do road measurements with special measuring vehicles. For example, we determine whether a road is in need of maintenance."

Ties clearly has Kiwa's social function in mind. Through the many tests they perform in Apeldoorn, Kiwa contributes to a culture of quality and trust. "We want to make the Netherlands a little bit better all the time," says Ties. "We conduct our tests to improve quality. Whether it's artificial turf fields or roads, we need to be able to trust that the products we use are safe. With this, we 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 the NEN or the Association of Schedule Managers, for example. The TIC companies test, inspect and certify according to the established standards, and the Accreditation Council verifies that the result of the test companies is reliable. Together, our goal is to improve the safety and quality of products and services."

Quality Infrastructure Platform

The various parties that guarantee quality have recently united in the Platform Quality Infrastructure. Ties explains that they want to create more awareness with this. "We want to form one big party towards The Hague. There are constantly new innovations and developments that need to be tested. At the moment nitrogen measurements and PFAS are topical, but we have more social problems. That's where we as a platform can mean something."

Together, member companies are committed to achieving, controlling and ensuring the desired quality. At the same time, Ties concludes that we have a very high standard. "We can always improve the cooperation, but compared to abroad we have it well organized. We can be quite proud of the quality in the Netherlands."  

Want to know more? Ties Joosten will give a presentation on quality infrastructure in the Netherlands during the seminar "Quality, hoezo belangrijk?" at the World of Industry, Technology & Science (WoTS). The WoTS takes place from September 24 to 27 in the Jaarbeurs, Utrecht. Visit the website for more information and create your own seminar program.