ISO/TS 16949 : QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTION AND RELEVANT SERVICE PART ORGANIZATIONS
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTION AND RELEVANT SERVICE PART ORGANIZATIONS
What is ISO/TS 16949?
ISO/TS 16949 is a technical specification that defines the quality management system requirements for the design, development, production and service of automotive-related products. It is based on the ISO 9001 standard, which is a general framework for quality management, but it adds specific requirements for the automotive industry. ISO/TS 16949 was developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), a group of automotive manufacturers and suppliers, with support from ISO, the International Organization for Standardization. The purpose of ISO/TS 16949 is to ensure that the products and services delivered by the automotive supply chain meet the customer expectations and comply with the applicable regulations. ISO/TS 16949 covers various aspects of quality management, such as:
– Management responsibility: The top management of the organization must demonstrate their commitment to quality, establish a quality policy and objectives, plan and review the quality system, and ensure adequate resources and communication.
– Customer focus: The organization must identify and meet the requirements and expectations of its customers, as well as monitor and measure customer satisfaction and feedback.
– Process approach: The organization must identify, manage and improve its processes as a system, and ensure that they are aligned with the quality objectives and customer needs.
– Continual improvement: The organization must monitor, measure and analyze its performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement actions to achieve them.
– Defect prevention: The organization must prevent defects from occurring by applying preventive measures, such as risk assessment, error-proofing, statistical techniques, and corrective actions.
– Variation and waste reduction: The organization must reduce variation and waste in its processes by applying lean principles, such as value stream mapping, 5S, kaizen, and standardization.
ISO/TS 16949 was first published in 1999 and revised in 2002 and 2009. In 2016, it was replaced by IATF 16949:2016, which is aligned with the latest version of ISO 9001:2015. IATF 16949:2016 maintains the same structure and requirements as ISO/TS 16949:2009, but it incorporates some changes and clarifications to reflect the current best practices in the automotive industry.
ISO/TS 16949 is based on the eight quality management principles (all fundamental to good business practice):
- Customer focus
- Leadership
- Involvement of people
- Process approach
- System approach to management
- Continual improvement
- Fact-based decision-making
- Mutually beneficial supplier relationships
Benefits of implementing ISO/TS 16949
- It improves your credibility and image. You can show that you make high-quality products for the automotive industry
- It improves customer satisfaction. You can meet their expectations and reduce defects. This can make customers happy and loyal.
- It makes your processes better. You can use the process approach of ISO/TS 16949. This can reduce waste, save money and improve efficiency.
- It improves interactions between processes. You can have more collaboration, communication and alignment in your organization.
- It improves your quality management system, products and services.
- It enhances customer satisfaction. You can deliver products that meet their requirements and regulations. You can show that you care about quality and improvement.
Why is ISO/TS 16949 important?
ISO/TS 16949 is a technical specification that defines the requirements for quality management systems in the automotive industry. It is based on the ISO 9001 standard, but with additional requirements specific to the automotive sector, such as customer satisfaction, defect prevention, risk management, and continuous improvement.
ISO/TS 16949 is important because it helps automotive suppliers and manufacturers to ensure that their products and processes meet the highest standards of quality and safety. It also helps them to reduce costs, waste, and errors, and to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. By following the ISO/TS 16949 specification, automotive companies can demonstrate their commitment to excellence and their ability to meet the expectations of their customers and stakeholders.
ISO/TS 16949 is not a standalone certification, but rather a supplement to the ISO 9001 certification. To obtain the ISO/TS 16949 certification, an automotive company must first be certified to ISO 9001, and then undergo an additional audit by an accredited third-party organization. The audit will verify that the company has implemented the ISO/TS 16949 requirements in its quality management system, and that it complies with the applicable regulations and customer specifications.
ISO/TS 16949 is widely recognized and accepted by the major automotive manufacturers and suppliers around the world. It is considered a global benchmark for quality in the automotive industry, and a competitive advantage for those who achieve it. By adopting the ISO/TS 16949 specification, automotive companies can improve their performance, quality, and customer satisfaction, and gain a competitive edge in the global market.
How to implement and get certified to ISO/TS 16949?
If you are an automotive supplier or manufacturer, you may have heard of ISO/TS 16949, a technical specification that defines the quality management system requirements for the automotive industry. ISO/TS 16949 is based on ISO 9001, the international standard for quality management systems, but with additional requirements specific to the automotive sector.
If you want to implement and get certified to ISO/TS 16949 (or IATF 16949), here are some steps you can follow:
- Understand the requirements of ISO/TS 16949. You can obtain a copy of the standard from the IATF website or from your national standards body. You should also familiarize yourself with ISO 9001:2015, which provides the framework for ISO/TS 16949. You can find a summary of the main clauses of ISO/TS 16949 here.
- Conduct a gap analysis of your current quality management system. A gap analysis is a tool that helps you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your existing system and compare it with the requirements of ISO/TS 16949. You can use a checklist or a template to guide you through this process. You can find some examples of gap analysis tools here.
- Develop an implementation plan based on the results of your gap analysis. Your plan should include the objectives, scope, timeline, resources, responsibilities, and actions needed to close the gaps and achieve compliance with ISO/TS 16949. You should also consider how to integrate ISO/TS 16949 with your other management systems, such as environmental or health and safety.
- Implement your plan and document your processes and procedures. You should follow the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle to ensure that your quality management system is effective and efficient. You should also document your processes and procedures according to the requirements of ISO/TS 16949 and maintain records of your activities and results. You can use flowcharts, diagrams, manuals, forms, templates, or software to help you document your system.
- Train and communicate with your employees and stakeholders. You should ensure that your employees and stakeholders are aware of the benefits and requirements of ISO/TS 16949 and their roles and responsibilities in implementing and maintaining it. You should also provide them with adequate training and guidance on how to perform their tasks according to the standard. You can use workshops, seminars, webinars, newsletters, posters, or videos to help you train and communicate with your audience.
- Conduct internal audits and management reviews. You should regularly monitor and measure your performance against the objectives and indicators of ISO/TS 16949 and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of your quality management system. You should also conduct internal audits to verify that your system conforms to the standard and identify opportunities for improvement. You should also conduct management reviews to assess the suitability and adequacy of your system and ensure its alignment with your strategic direction.
- Choose a certification body and prepare for an external audit. If you want to get certified to ISO/TS 16949, you need to choose a certification body that is accredited by IATF or by an IATF-recognized accreditation body. You can find a list of approved certification bodies here. You should also prepare for an external audit by reviewing your documentation, records, processes, procedures, and performance data and ensuring that they are ready for inspection.
- Undergo an external audit and obtain certification. An external audit is a process where an auditor from a certification body visits your organization and evaluates your quality management system against the requirements of ISO/TS 16949. The audit consists of two stages: a stage 1 audit, where the auditor reviews your documentation and readiness for the stage 2 audit, and a stage 2 audit, where the auditor verifies your implementation and effectiveness of the system. If the auditor finds no major nonconformities, you will receive a certificate of conformity to ISO/TS 16949.
- Maintain and improve your quality management system. After obtaining certification, you should continue to monitor and measure your performance and implement corrective and preventive actions to address any issues or risks. You should also seek feedback from your customers and stakeholders and strive for continual improvement of your quality management system. You should also undergo periodic surveillance audits and recertification audits by your certification body to maintain your certification status.
By following these steps, you can implement and get certified to ISO/TS 16949 and demonstrate your commitment to quality and customer satisfaction in the automotive industry.
If you are interested in implementing ISO/TS 16949 in your organization, you can contact us for more information. We are a certified ISO/TS 16949 consultant that can help you design, develop, implement, audit, and improve your QUALITY management system. We have the expertise, experience, and tools to help you achieve your goals.