The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released an industry-specific quality system requirement in March 2002, which is fully titled 'Quality Management Systems - Special Requirements for the Implementation of ISO9001 for Production Parts and Related Service Parts in the Automotive Industry', in English IATF16949. In response to the ISO9001:2015 quality management system, the standard was updated to IATF16949:2016 in 2016.
In order to coordinate international automotive quality system standards, a specialized organization called the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) was established by major automotive manufacturers and associations around the world. The members of IATF are composed of the following 9 vehicle manufacturers: BMW Group, Chrysler LLC, Daimler AG, Fiat Group Automobiles, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Renault, and Volkswagen AG, as well as regulatory agencies from 5 countries: the International Automobile Supervision Agency (IAOB), The Italian Automobile Manufacturers Association (ANFIA), the French Federation of Vehicle Equipment Manufacturers (FIEV), the British Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), and the German Automobile Manufacturers Association Quality Management Center (VDA-QMC) are composed.
The pertinence and applicability of ISO/TS16949 standard are very clear, only applicable to automobile manufacturers and their direct spare parts manufacturers. This means that these manufacturers must be directly related to the production of automobiles, able to carry out processing and manufacturing activities, and enable products to add value through such activities. Companies that have obtained ISO/TS16949:2009 certification and registration must have at least 12 consecutive months of production and quality management records, including complete records of internal and management reviews. For a newly established processing site, if there is no record of 12 months, it can also be reviewed and confirmed to meet the quality system specifications. After that, the certification company can issue a 'Certificate of Conformity' issued by NSF. After having a record of 12 months, proceed with certification review and registration.
ISO/TS16949 places special emphasis on the manufacturer's finished products and the quality system capability to achieve this finished product. It believes that this is the foundation of the entire manufacturing process activity. Another characteristic is that it places special emphasis on the effectiveness of an organization's quality management system.
The audit of ISO/TS16949:2002 has shifted from a single element audit to a process audit. A process audit will focus on putting users at the center. It evaluates the activities of manufacturers based on user requirements and measures their performance around user satisfaction. In addition, the three major automobile manufacturers have put forward special product requirements for their suppliers, and the audit of ISO/TS16949:2002 also includes process audits to meet these requirements.
ISO/TS16949 places equal importance on user requirements and technical specifications. Therefore, the certification audit conducted by certification companies on manufacturers is similar to the audit conducted by second parties in many places.
The significance of ISO/TS16949:2009 certification
1. It is beneficial for enterprises to become suppliers to automotive customers.
At present, automobile manufacturers have generally put forward quality management system requirements for suppliers of automotive production parts and related maintenance parts. Based on ISO/TS16949:2009 technical specifications and customer special requirements, a quality management system is established to obtain certification, and it is possible to enter the procurement circle of international and domestic automotive customers.
2. Improve the work efficiency of the enterprise.
The ISO/TS16949:2009 technical specification proposes and stipulates many effective and feasible control procedures and methods, which can effectively improve work efficiency and enhance the combat effectiveness and survival of enterprises.
3. It is beneficial for all employees of the enterprise to focus on customers and form a quality awareness of meeting customer requirements.
Through the strengthening of human resource management and training management, a development situation is formed where the overall quality of management personnel and employees at all levels related to quality is constantly improving.
4. Continuously improve customer satisfaction with the products and services provided by the enterprise.
5. Prevent product defects and reduce non-conforming products.
The ISO/TS16949:2009 technical specification controls various processes including product planning, design and development, manufacturing process design, production process confirmation, analysis and control of non-conforming products, corrective and preventive measures. Identify and analyze potential defects in the product implementation process, develop corresponding measures to prevent the occurrence of non conformities, reduce non conformities, reduce waste losses, reduce costs, and significantly improve the physical quality of the product.
6. Reduced duplicate inspections and verifications of the quality management system.
The repeated certification of different automotive management system standards in the past will gradually transition to a single certification, which has reduced the burden for the majority of automotive production parts enterprises.
7. It helps enterprises establish a management mechanism for self-inspection, identifying problems, seeking improvement, and self-improvement.