Certifications and accreditations

UNI EN ISO 9001

Being qualified as a UNI EN ISO 9001 company since 1994 means taking care of the way we conduct our business processes, improving effectiveness and efficiency in product manufacturing and service delivery, and striving for customer satisfaction as much as possible.

In particular, we are certified in the following fields of application:

• design, production and sales of connectors and equipment for mountaineering, rescue, work at height, industry and boating

• design and provision of training services within the vocational education and training system with particular, though not exclusive, reference to safety in the workplace

IRATA

IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) is a non-profit association which consists of over 650 companies, including Kong. Its aim is to promote and develop a safe rope access system, which it pioneered, to support its member companies and to enable their technicians to work safely and effectively. All companies registered with IRATA must meet specific qualifications to be admitted and undergo regular independent audits to ensure compliance with IRATA requirements in terms of safety, training, work practices and quality assurance.

Companies registered with IRATA include training and/or operating companies. Operational companies are responsible for contracting operations that involve working in elevated positions or confined spaces, using rope access techniques, while training companies offer five-day courses for individual technicians involved in rope access.

Kong is an IRATA certified company and espouses the aims and objectives of the association, which are to promote high standards of safety, quality of work and the continuous improvement of the educational and training aspects of rope access.

GWO

The Global Wind Organization (GWO) is an association of wind turbine owners and manufacturers founded in 2009 with the mission of supporting an injury-free work environment in the wind industry through cooperation among its members in setting common industry best practice standards for related health and safety training. GWO is a non-profit organization and its activities include program governance, development and maintenance of training standards, communication and various outreach activities, as well as general operations.

Kong is GWO certified and adheres to its training standards, promoting a culture of understanding and reducing the risks associated with safety in the wind turbine industry.

POA

POA approval (Production Organization Approval) is issued by ENAC (National Civil Aeronautics Authority) to companies operating in the production of products, parts and equipment for aeronautical use. POA approval recognizes the company the privilege of carrying out production controls and issuing the declaration of conformity of the products, parts and equipment placed on the market under its sole responsibility.
KONG. S.p.A. has obtained POA approval. IT.21G.0068 dated 04/09/2019 for the KONG LONG LINE system (transport system for up to 8 people/800kg tied to the barycentric hook of the AW139 helicopter).
As part of the POA approval management system, KONG S.p.A. has developed a specific management system aimed at guaranteeing its contribution to flight safety with specific reference to its organization and processes.

APDOA

The APDOA approval (Alternative Procedures to Design Organisation Approval) is issued by EASA (European Authority for Aviation Safety) to companies involved in the design of products, parts, components and equipment for aeronautical use. 

This approval recognises KONG's design capability in the field of so-called PCDS (Personnel Carrying Device Systems), i.e. those systems that are mainly hung from the barycentric hook or winch in helicopter rescue operations.

KONG obtained APDOA approval (AP559) on 15 April 2025 for PCDS Simplex systems, up to two persons, and Complex systems, more than two persons, attached to the barycentric hook or winch in helicopter rescue operations.

Such systems are also identified by the acronym HEC (Human External Cargo).

The APDOA approval is the recognition by EASA that the company's (Kong Design Organisation) design is in line with the more stringent certification requirements of EASA Part 21. To this end, the Company's design procedures and practices have been implemented and its resources trained in accordance with the latest aviation requirements.