Certification of maintenance providers: A competitive advantage

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to synthesize some relevant norms, namely European norms (EN), to the maintenance field. Design/methodology/ approach - The methodology is based on the conjunction of the most relevant norms to the maintenance field that represent a coherent set of tools to aid maintenance activity and maintenance companies to achieve a new level of competitiveness. Findings - Until now, the companies have not given relevance to specific certifications, such as PAS 55 or NP4492. But, with the increase of competitiveness and the market more and more exigent, it is necessary to introduce this new paradigm to raise the maintenance activity at an upper level. Practical implications - The approach presented in the paper constitutes a base for an upper level of competitiveness among companies, based on common standards that make the maintenance activity more exigent and transparent. Originality/value - The paper presents a conjunction among standards, including the newest ones, that constitutes a new vision for maintenance providers, representing a definitive contribution for a new positioning of the maintenance market.