Liber Grids, a South African innovator in modular stormwater and urban drainage infrastructure, has officially achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification through DQS, a globally recognised leader in auditing and certification. This achievement strengthens the company’s position as a quality-driven engineering partner and underscores how Liber Grids’ certified quality management system can support organisational practices that are aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 12, SDG 14, SDG 1 and SDG 9.
ISO 9001 is the world’s most widely adopted Quality Management System (QMS) standard and provides a highly structured framework to support consistent processes, conformance to defined requirements, and continual improvement, critical for the engineering and built-environment sectors.Engineering Quality That Meets Global Standards
The DQS-audited QMS at Liber Grids spans design, material selection, manufacturing processes, supplier control, performance testing, and customer support. Together, these practices support consistent design, manufacturing, and quality control processes, helping Liber Grids to deliver products that are designed for demanding environmental conditions and predictable lifecycle performance.“Achieving ISO 9001 is an affirmation of our engineering discipline,” says Francois van Niekerk Managing Director at Liber Grids. “Quality is not an aspiration for us, it is our operating system. DQS’s certification validates the rigor and consistency of our quality management system and reinforces our commitment to structured, disciplined engineering processes.”
How ISO 9001 Certification Strengthens SDG Outcomes
Liber Grids’ quality systems and product performance directly support several global sustainability goals that matter deeply to infrastructure planners, engineers, and municipal authorities:SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production
ISO 9001 supports structured process control, risk-based thinking, and continual improvement, which can help organisations improve resource efficiency, reduce rework, and enhance traceability. Longer-lasting grids reduce replacement frequency, lowering material consumption over the product lifecycle.SDG 14: Life Below Water
High-performance stormwater drainage reduces blockages, flooding events, and pollution wash-off into rivers and coastal systems. Consistent, quality-controlled processes can support the reliable manufacture of drainage components, which may contribute to improved flow performance and reduced risk of infrastructure failure.
SDG 1: No Poverty
By aligning its processes with ISO 9001 requirements, Liber Grids supports structured operations, local supplier engagement, and organisational resilience, which can contribute to broader economic development objectives. Further supporting local suppliers contributes to economic growth and reduces un-employment, reducing poverty.SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Liber Grids’ certified QMS supports durable, future-proof infrastructure systems. Standardisation, predictable performance and reduced failure rates directly contribute to resilient urban planning and long-term engineering performance.Benefits for Engineers, Municipalities and Developers
With ISO 9001 certification, project teams can expect:- More predictable, stable performance through standardised processes
- Lower lifecycle costs due to reduced defects and failures
- Improved supplier assurance backed by verified quality controls
- Conformance with ISO 9001 requirements, which may support alignment with municipal and international procurement frameworks.
