Automotive Quality Management Standard
IATF 16949:2016
IATF 16949:2016 is a Quality Management Systems automotive “sector-specific” standard based on ISO 9001:2015. IATF 16949:2016 was developed by the members of International Automotive Task Force (IATF).
This document (which includes ISO 9001:2015 by reference), plus the individual OEM customer-specific requirements, defines the quality system requirements for use in the automotive supply chain.
Third Party Registrars
The IATF has developed its own unique and proprietary registration process and requirements for organization registration. It also qualifies its own registrars and registrar auditors. The registration scheme includes common rules for consistent global registration processes.
IATF 16949:2016
IATF 16949:2016 was approved and issued on October 1st, 2016 as an automotive sector-specific Quality Management System set of requirements that use the updated ISO 9001:2015 (verbatim) as its base. It replaced ISO/TS 16949:2009 based on ISO 9001:2008.
As an industry standard:
- Anyone can acquire a copy of this standard, IATF 16949, through www.AIAG.org
- Anyone can acquire a copy of the “Rules” for achieving IATF recognition, through www.AIAG.org
- Anyone can utilize this document to improve their Quality Management Systems
- Any organization that meets the applicability rules (noted below) can be certified by a third-party certification body/registrar
Satisfying Your Automotive Customer
Subscribing automotive OEM companies will only recognize and accept an IATF 16949 registration which has been conducted using the prescribed registration process (“rules” available from the IAOB) and conducted by third party registrars that have been selected by the IAOB/IATF.
Registration to IATF 16949 by an IATF “selected” registrar is required before a certificate can show the IATF mark and indicate IATF recognition.
Applicability
The IATF has asked all registrars to assure that IATF 16949 registrants meet the following applicability requirements:
- Only manufacturers can apply for IATF 169494 registration (see definition under 3.0 in IATF 16949) and only if they meet the applicability requirements specified in Rules for Achieving and Maintaining IATF Recognition, section 1.0.
- Any tier may be registered if it has a direct customer in the automotive supply chain (most affected are Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers). Distributors cannot be registered to IATF 16949.
- Evidence of being a potential supplier to a customer requiring IATF 16949 could include a Request For Quotation issued to the organization or the organization being on a current bid list of the IATF 16949 subscribing customer.
Fifth Edition Rules
In addition to the IATF 16949:2016 technical standard, the IATF established a governing document called “Rules for Achieving and Maintaining IATF Recognition.” The 5th Edition “Rules” were published November 1, 2016 and took effect on January 1, 2017, and include criteria for the registrar, registrar audit process, auditor qualification, certification requirements, and expectations for the registering organization. The “Rules” mandate a two-stage process for registration.
Stage 1, the “Readiness Review,” is conducted on-site for a minimum of one or two days. Its single purpose is to determine whether an organization may proceed to a Stage 2 registration audit. The Stage 1 audit is required even if the organization has elected to undergo a Pre-Assessment Audit. Furthermore, each value-added site must be independently assessed for readiness. Stage 2 is the full registration audit, and it must take place within 90 days of the Stage 1 visit. If it is not feasible to proceed with the Stage 2 audit within that 90-day period, a second Stage 1 audit must be conducted.
Important Rules
Some of the important “Rules”:
- The Pre-Assessment auditors cannot perform the registration audits
- Pre-Assessment on-site time is limited to 80% of Stage 2 on-site time
- Corporate quoting schemes are permitted for manufacturing/value added sites only. Corporate refers to the quoting scheme only. Each value added site must have a separate report and separate certificate issued
- Sampling of sites is not permitted
- For each subsequent recertification and surveillance cycle, different auditors must be used
- For Major (Hold) corrective actions, the client must determine root cause and implement correction within 20 days from the end of the site audit and an on-site Special audit for verification is required
- Surveillance events must be of equal duration
- Renewal Audit must occur within 3 years of the previous initial or re-registration (renewal) audit event
- The certificate must be issued within 120 days of the last day on-site at the initial or renewal event
- An IATF 16949 organization is expected to refer to the new Fifth edition “Rules”
If You Do Not Qualify for IATF 16949 Third Party Registration
Those organizations and suppliers that do not qualify for IATF-recognized registration to IATF 16949 are encouraged to consider ISO 9001:2015 registration.
Registration
A quotation for registration to IATF 16949:2016 can be provided by contacting SRI at 724-934-9000 or by completing the Request a Proposal form. The SRI Sales Team looks forward to discussing your needs, and we can have a quote to you in as little as two hours.
