ISO/TS 16949 Consulting


			ISO/TS 16949

			What is ISO/TS 16949? ISO/TS is an ISO Technical Specification. The International Automotive Task Force (IATF), which consists of an international group of vehicle manufacturers, plus national trade associations, wrote ISO/TS 16949 in conjunction with the International Organization for Standards (ISO). This specification aligns existing American (QS-9000), German (VDA6.1), French (EAQF) and Italian (AVSQ) automotive quality systems standards within the global automotive industry. Together with ISO 9001:1994, ISO/TS 16949 specifies the quality system requirements for the design/development, production, installation and servicing of automotive related products. In addition, there are customer specific requirements that are required by individual subscribing vehicle manufacturers. IATF plans to integrate ISO/TS 16949 with ISO 9001:2000. The anticipated completion for this version is the first quarter of 2002. Clients who are certified to ISO/TS 16949:1999 will be given until the end of 2003 to upgrade their certification to ISO/TS 16949:2002. ISO/TS 16949 does not replace the existing quality system requirements. However, along with customer specific requirements, ISO/TS 16949 has been accepted as an equivalent to QS-9000, VDA6.1, AVSQ, and EAQF. It does not replace QS-9000; it is an optional document. ISO/TS 16949 will eliminate the need for multiple certifications. IATF participating members include: BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford Motor Company, General Motors (including Opel Vauxhall), PSA Peugot Citroen, Renault SA, Volkswagen and its respective trade associations, AIAG (U.S.), ANFIA (Italy), FIEV (France), SMMT (U.K.), and VDA (Germany).. Registration to ISO/TS 16949 Benefits associated with the ISO/TS 16949 registration scheme include: Improved product and process quality Additional confidence for global sources Reassignment of supplier resources to quality improvement Common quality system approach in the supply chain for supplier/subcontractor development and consistency Reduction in variation and increase in efficiency Reduction in 2nd party system audits Common language to improve understanding of quality requirements Get on the Fast Track to ISO/TS 16949 Registration!