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The Norwegian Hydrographic Service's quality system has been established and is further developed based on the ISO 9001–2000 guidelines, with the exception of the standard's provisions in Section 7.3, which does not apply for the activities.
Quality has been a key element of the Norwegian Hydrographic Service's activities since hydrographic surveying started in 1785.
Highly professional and conscientious work has resulted in confidence in the maritime charts and other products from the Norwegian Hydrographic Service, which is both positive and inspiring. The users' confidence in our products is a challenge that primarily entails great responsibility. It takes a long time to establish trust, and it is easily lost.
Systematic Controls
The Norwegian Hydrographic Service ensures quality products by implementing systematic controls through all steps of the process, from data collection to printing of the final maritime chart. The responsibility for product quality is also safeguarded after the product has been delivered to the user, for example through distribution of chart corrections that ensures that the maritime chart remains an updated product for many years after it was initially issued.
It is expected that safety at sea will improve in line with the increase in automation and introduction of integrated navigation systems, in which electronic charts constitute the very "foundation". An essential assumption, however, is that the data is reliable and that any errors and weaknesses of the chart basis is presented to the user in a clear and unambiguous manner. Taking into consideration the users' trust in these types of systems, anything less could very easily result in a catastrophe.