The Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB) has officially changed its name to the Australian Rail Industry Standards Organisation (ARISO).
The new name was decided at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting on November 27.
In August 2025, Australia’s transport ministers endorsed a new RISSB to become the industry-led technical standards setting body.
Dr Gillian Miles, Chair of ARISO, said the new name is an acknowledgment that standards reform is now in action.
“We need to evolve to support industry to drive a marked increase in the adoption and harmonisation of standards,” she said.
“This is more than a name change; it signifies a new era in our service to members and the industry. ARISO’s new role will be to support the development of mandatory standards, lead harmonised standards and support industry where local standards are required.
“We will build stronger technical capability and focus our resources on delivering standards of national importance, being more impactful and influential for our members and industry.”
At the Annual General Meeting, new board governance was also approved for a transitional period of two years.
Miles said this was necessary as the changes to ARISO’s remit and the environment in which it operates means the board will lead an organisation with new, elevated roles and responsibilities.
“The board will focus on steering these critical and complex requirements, marking the changes that must be made to position ARISO as the industry-led technical standards setting body,” she said.
For the transition period, the board will consist of seven members, comprising the elected independent chair and independent directors, two industry directors and two government-appointed directors.
Jeroen Weimar, Secretary of the Department of Transport and Planning Victoria (DTP VIC) and Sally Stannard, the Director General of the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR QLD), will join the board in 2026.
