Automotive Industry Gets a New Evolution in Quality Management

Published on 09-08-16

One of the automotive industry’s most widely used international standards for Quality Management, ISO/TS 16949 is set to evolve with the publication of a new global industry standard by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF).

ISO/TS 16949, a technical specification for automotive sector Quality Management Systems, was first developed in 1999 by the IATF in conjunction with ISO’s technical committee for Quality Management, ISO/TC 176. Since then, it has risen to be one of the most widely used international standards in the automotive industry, and aims to harmonize the different assessment and certification systems in the global automotive supply chain.

In October 2016, the new International Standard, IATF 16949:2016, will supersede and replace ISO/TS 16949:2009. The goal of this International Standard is the development of a Quality Management System that:

• Provides for continual improvement,
• Emphasizes defect prevention,
• Includes specific requirements and tools from automotive industry,
• Promotes reduction of variation and waste in the supply chain.

This International Standard, coupled with applicable customer-specific requirements, defines the fundamental Quality Management System requirements for automotive production, service and/or accessory parts organizations.

IATF 16949:2016 represents an innovative document with a strong customer orientation. Feedback solicited from certification bodies, auditors, suppliers, and OEMs shaped development of this International Standard. IATF 16949:2016 also incorporates common automotive customer-specific requirements.

Requirements for certification to IATF 16949:2016 will be defined in a new revision of the IATF document Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF recognition, scheduled for release in November 2016.

Guidance for the transition from ISO/TS 16949:2009 to IATF 16949:2016 will be provided through a separate document, posted on the IATF Global Oversight website, and distributed separately.

Courtesy: www.iatfglobaloversight.orgPublished on 09-08-2016