Meeting the standards of ISO/TS 16949

What is the ISO/TS 16949?

The ISO/TS 16949 is an international standard designed and developed by the ISO (International Organisation of Standardisation). The ISO/TS 16949 is also referred to as IATF 16949, as it was developed by the IATF (International Automotive Task Force), which refers to a conglomerate of vehicle manufacturers and trading groups. The latest version of this ISO is termed 16949:2016, used for ISO 9001:2008, for vehicle production, and production of service parts.

When tracing the origins of ISO/TS 16949, we can look to ISO 9001 within the automotive industry in relation to specific requirements such as ideation, development, fixtures or modifications and deployment of services. For this reason, certification of ISO/TS 16949 will be based on these aspects, for companies wishing to be certified under this standard. This is for auto-manufacturing or vehicle manufacturing organisations, as well as service part production. However, the certifying process is executed by other authorities assigned or contracted by the IATF.

If we were to go back to the history and background of ISO/TS 16949, it all began with the supplier of automotive parts, adopting the standard rating of BS 5750. This rating became the basis for developing an internationally recognised ISO 9000 series for quality management system standards. However, since ISO 9000 wasn’t an exclusive standard for the automotive industry there was a requirement to develop a standard that met all the requirements of automotive standards. Owing to this, the QS-9000 was developed in the USA, by Ford General Motors. However, when countries in Europe developed standards of their own (such as EAQF, AVSQ), it became quite confusing about conferring different quality standards. Hence, the IATF was formed by various bodies in the automotive industry, to establish a global standard for all.

It first began with ISO/TS 16949:1994, based on (QS-9000, VDA6.1 EAQF and AVSQ), then there was ISO/TS 16949:1999, ISO 9001:2008, 16949:2009, and then 16949:2016
In spite of ISO being a worldwide organisation, it is not just ISO 16949 but TS 16949. The main reason for which is a technical specification (TS) which is recommended with ⅔ majority vote by the technical team of the ISO group.

Companies and organisations, in turn, are provided with direction from the IATF 16948 standard to ensure that consistent standards of quality and customer satisfaction are met by their products.

The standard IATF 16949 is an additional standard used together with ISO standards such as

• ISO 9000
• ISO 9001
• ISO 9004
• ISO 19011
• ISO 31000

To secure a 16949 rating, companies need to meet certain requirements in relation to automotive development, production, installation, and services, including software-empowered products. Companies that engage in manufacturing activities, can apply for the same via government websites,
The IATF 16949 standard is applicable to sites of the organisation where manufacturing of customer-specified production parts, service parts, and/or accessory parts occurs. The standard is based on 7 quality management principles.

• Leadership
• Customer-Centric Approach
• People Engagement
• Enhancement
• Process approach
• Decisions based on proof
• Relationship management

What Are the Benefits to a Company, That Adopts ISO/TS 16949?

By adopting the ISO/TS 16949, companies are able to ensure their customers with products and services of consistent quality. Hence there are several benefits for companies that adopt ISO/TS 16949.

• Producing products that meet international standards of quality, and product safety requirements.
• Enabling procedure for enhancement of the system.
• Improve customer experience through efficient implementation of the system.
• Identify new company goals and opportunities.
• Define new company stakeholders and overall context.
• Ensure that customers are the priority.
• Acquire new and repeat customers, acquire more business, and improve brand loyalty.
• Enter new territories, as some places require IATF 16949 rating before engaging in business.
• Recognise and deal with the challenges related to the organisation.
• Also by raising standards, the company will improve its overall efficiency and bring down internal costs.
• Adopt a more efficient or effective policy for corporate responsibility, to ensure international standards by the company.

What are the benefits associated with ISO/TS 16949:2009?

• Provides more faith in global outsourcing.
• Enhanced quality for product and process.
• Management of suppliers to match quality products.
• Develop an international quality system for the development of suppliers and contractors.
• Reduction in variation
• Reduction in 2nd party system audits
• A common language to improve understanding of quality requirements
• Continuous improvement of business performance through ongoing certification audits
• Boosted staff morale through increased management efficiencies
• Bottom-line benefits through increased efficiency reduced waste and better utilisation of resources
• Improved product and process quality
• Single quality system registration to meet multiple customer quality requirements
• Incorporates the best lessons learned from the global automotive segment
• Formatted to allow easy conversion to ISO registration 9001:2008

What are the checklist requirements of ISO/TS 16949 standard?

The ISO/TS 16949 standard is all about achieving an organisation’s goals, by providing customers with products and services that meet their expectations, as well as consistent quality. The ISO/TS 16949 standard focuses on the relationship between the organisation’s goals, principles, plans, rules, etc.

• Employees of the organisation are motivated through various efforts to meet their quality goals and generate an atmosphere for innovation.
• Company board to include quality goals with the company business plan.
• Company human resources team to focus on training employees to meet the ISO/TS 16949 standard, as well as processes.
• A system to analyse the extent to which employees have grasped the importance of their actions and duties, and how it contributes towards the company’s quality goals.
• Build a list of suppliers who produce products of ISO/TS 16949 standard.
• Develop an effective product and process design.
• A system to compute the contentment of customers, through various audits.
• Data-driven approach towards change and improvement in the organisation.

How to Implement ISO/TS 16949 standard?

Organisations deciding to implement the ISO/TS 16949 should focus on meeting company goals and objectives while eradicating risks. Hence, management should look at this as a strategic decision, and make the necessary arrangements for the same. These include;

• Recognising customer demand and preferences, now and for the future.
• Identifying buyers or clients who benefit directly and indirectly from the organisation.
• Matching company goals with customers' demands and preferences
• Communicating the same throughout the rest of the company and its employees.
• Produce products and services that match customer demand and preferences.
• A system to compute the contentment of customers, through various audits.
• Execute decisions and actions on stakeholders and people who can affect the contentment of customers.
• Successful customer relationship management.
• Provide required support to ensure necessary safety measures are in place, to develop ISO/TS 16949 standard products.
• Develop effective policies on corporate social responsibility.

What are the stages of ISO/TS 16949 certification?

The ISO/TS 16949 certification can be applied in various stages within the auto industry. The ISO/TS 16949 certification is issued for 3 years, and approved annually, based on rules and procedures stated by IATF, in accordance with the appointed auditor and the certification body by the international organisation.

On completion of 3 years, the ISO/TS 16949 certification is re-applied again. The certification is meant to provide confidence to a potential consumer at the time of purchase. Some of the top certification bodies authorised by the IATF include;

• United Registrar of Systems (UK)
• TÜV Rheinland (Germany)
• Bureau Veritas (France)
• IFCE (NORTHERN IRELAND)
• SAI Global (Australia)
• BSI Group (UK)
• Indian Register Quality Systems
• EAGLE Certification Group (USA)
• DNV GL (Norway)
• DQS (Germany)

Audit: Stage 1 is all about meeting the basic requirements to be eligible for certification. For this reason, an audit team is assigned to conduct verification and checks of the documents required.

Observing Audits: Stage 2 involves suppliers demonstrating the practical application of the management system in accordance with IATF 16949. The audit team evaluates the effectiveness of the requirements applied to obtain the certification required. They further help in the optimisation of its processes.

Issuing the certificate: The ISO/TS 16949 certification is issued if all criteria have been met by the company, certifying that the organisation has met all necessary requirements for compliance and specifications.

Certification renewal: On completion of 3 years, the ISO/TS 16949 certification is re-applied again. The certification is meant to provide confidence to a potential consumer at the time of purchase.

Preliminary audit (optional): Although optional, this stage allows the company to prepare for all the audit processes required for ISO/TS 16949 certification. It also provides customers with the opportunity to understand the positives and negatives of products and services from the company and prepare for the certification process. The audit team checks to ensure that the process involved meets the requirements of the ISO/TS 16949 standard. Additionally, this stage also provides a level of security, especially after all the checks are conducted.

What are the required ISO TS 16949 documents?

The required ISO TS 16949 documents are based on the requirements of ISO 9001. This is because the ISO TS 16949 standard depends on the standard of ISO 9001:2015. The mandatory documents and records required by IATF 16949:2016

• QMS (Quality Management System) documentation
• Documentation for management of product safety related products, and manufacturing processes
• Quality policy
• List of authorities and their responsibilities, for fulfilling customer requirements.
• Results of risk analysis
• Maintenance and calibration record
• Records of customer acceptance of alternative measurement methods
• Record of Preventive action
• Alternate plans
• Quality objectives
• Documentation of calibration
• Documentation of verification records
• List of qualified internal auditors
• Documented process for identification of training needs including awareness and achieving awareness
• The documented process to verify the competence of internal auditors
• Documentation of trainer’s competency
• Documented information on employee awareness
• Motivation process of employees
• Quality manual
• Record retention policy

Why Vakilsearch?

To know more about ISO/TS 16949, Vakilsearch legal experts can help. The acknowledged quality management standard for the automobile industry is ISO/TS 16949.

Here are a few points why Vakilsearch can be your first option:

• Affordable price with no additional cost
• Get timely updates to stay informed
• Chat assistance throughout the process
• Chat assistance until the process ends
• Thorough checking of the documents

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