IODE Quality Management Framework for National Oceanographic Data Centres and Associate Data Units (Revised edition).

Abstract

The International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE)1 programme of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO2 maintains a global network of National Oceanographic Data Centres (NODC) and Associate Data Units (ADU) responsible for the collection, quality control, archive, and online publication of many millions of ocean and marine observations which are made available to Member States. In addition, it coordinates a network of marine information (library) managers. The IODE Committee has long held the view that there is a need for a quality management framework to ensure that NODCs and ADUs are established and operate according to defined principles, including adherence to agreed standards and the requirements of the IOC Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy. This will ensure NODCs and ADUs are able to provide data of known quality to meet the requirements of a broad community of users. The Twenty-second Session of the IODE Committee (IODE-XXII, 2013) adopted Recommendation IODE-XXII.18 to establish the IODE Quality Management Framework. The IODE Quality Management Framework (IODE-QMF) provides overall strategy, advice and guidance for NODCs and ADUs to design and implement quality management systems (QMS) for the successful delivery of ocean and marine data, products and services. The IODE encourages NODCs and ADUs to implement a QMS and to demonstrate they are in conformity with ISO 9001, the international standard for quality management. Formal ISO 9001 certification is not mandatory however NODCs/ADUs must be able to demonstrate that an effective quality management system has been implemented. The main objectives of the IODE-QMF are: • Promote accreditation of NODCs and ADUs according to agreed criteria; • Provide assistance to NODCs and ADUs to establish organizational quality management systems; • Initiate and review existing standards and Manuals and Guides with respect to the inclusion of quality management procedures and practices; and • Provide regular feedback to the IODE Committee. This document outlines the IODE-QMF that will address the implementation of quality management systems to ensure NODCs and ADUs can demonstrate their capabilities to provide data and services in compliance with established standards and responsibilities that will lead to accreditation.