Aiming at establishing a global standard for the training and accreditation of road safety auditors, the International Road Federation (IRF) has launched today an International Registry for Road Safety Auditors – thanks to the support of TotalEnergies – in the margins of the IRF World Congress 2024 being hosted this week in Istanbul.

As a globally recognised leader in road safety, the IRF has over seven decades of experience supporting governments and organisations in training and certifying road safety auditors. With its worldwide network spanning all continents, the IRF is well-positioned to support global efforts aiming at preventing road crashes thus saving thousands of lives.

In response to the growing need for high-quality road safety audits – especially in projects being financed by the multilateral development banks (MDBs) – the new registry aims to establish clear, internationally recognised certification standards that ensure consistency and quality across road safety audits globally. This will enhance transparency and ensure that auditors meet strict professional qualifications globally. The registry will serve as an easily accessible source for MDBs, governments and anyone else willing to identify and select qualified road safety auditors for infrastructure projects, ultimately improving the quality of audits and road safety outcomes.

The registry is part of a three-year project supported by TotalEnergies that includes the delivery of a comprehensive training and certification programme in three countries. Training programmes have been staged in Tanzania and Uganda earlier this year. Trainings in India are scheduled to follow in November 2024.  “This registry is a game-changer for global road safety,” said Dimitris Mandalozis, President of the International Road Federation. “By setting clear, international criteria for certification, we are not only improving audit quality but also providing a crucial resource for governments and organisations committed to safer roads.”

The International Registry of Road Safety Auditors will operate as a digital platform managed by the IRF. Auditors can apply through a comprehensive yet accessible process, that screens, verify and records their qualifications, certifications, and experience before allowing listing on the registry. MDBs, governments, and other stakeholders will be able to access the registry to identify qualified auditors and/or verify their credentials.

“We believe this initiative will not only improve transparency in accreditation but also open new opportunities for local young engineers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The initiative is meant to give also a boost to the creation of national accreditation bodies for road safety auditors, thus nurturing a culture of safe road infrastructure and a more stringent application of road safety audit requirements worldwide” added Mandalozis.

“Our commitment to road safety is unwavering and that is why we are pleased to support this initiative. We believe that a true spirit of collaboration, of innovation, and proactive measures, are the recipe that will allow us to significantly reduce road traffic deaths and injuries” said Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, General Delegate of the TotalEnergies Corporate Foundation speaking at the launch event. “We need to involve and empower the younger generations. It is our duty but also the only successful way forward. Together, we can create a safer, more sustainable future for all” he concluded.

By the end of the three-year project, it is expected that an initial 450 accredited auditors will be recorded in the registry.