TS 16949

  ISO/TS 16949:2002  
 
 

 

Over the past few years the U.S. and European automobile industry had introduced many Quality Management system standards to suppliers (QS 9000 / VDA 6.1 etc.). This proved to be expensive for suppliers, as regulation specific multiple certifications could not be excluded due to the specific customer requirements.

In the year 1999, ISO/TS 16949 was developed, which set globally standardized measures for a Quality Management system in the automobile industry. It details the fundamental, sector-specific, quality systems requirements that sustain continuous improvement and emphasize defect prevention while simultaneously reducing the magnitude of variation and waste in the supply chain.

  

 ISO/TS 16949:1999 is based on ISO 9000: 1994. In March 2002, ISO/TS 16949:2002 was released, which is aligned with ISO 9001:2000.

ISO/TS 16949 is recognized by all major automotive companies in the world including General Motors, Ford, Daimler Chrysler, Volkswagen, BMW, Fiat, Peugeot-Citroen, Renault, and there are expectations that the Japanese and Korean OEM's may also accept the standard since the Japanese vehicle manufacturers association, JAMA, have also been involved in the development of ISO/TS16949: 2002, and are expected to join IATF as full members in due course.

Currently ISO/TS 16949 does not replace AVSQ, EAQF, QS-9000 or VDA 6.1 registration requirements. However, OEM's will accept ISO/TS 16949 certification in place of the above standards. Over the few years each of the individual standards are being phased out and TS 16949 is the replacement. For further details on the validity of the individual standards, please refer to our note on 'Deadlines and Validity of Automotive Standards'

 
  What does the ISO/TS 16949 contain?  
 
  The Technical Specifications ISO/TS 16949 combines all previous and published requirements of the U.S. and European automobile industry (QS-9000, VDA 6.1, AVSQ, EAQF 94) on the basis of the ISO 9001:1994. They are supplemented by the customer requirements of the automobile industry.

Area of operation The ISO/TS 16949 should be implemented for all branches of manufacturers and suppliers of:

  • products or production material, or
  • services such as heat treatment, varnishing, galvanising or other surface treatments
  • other products specified by customers

It can be implemented in the entire automobile industry supplier chain. Certification to these technical specifications can only be awarded for a specific location. Remote locations, e.g. development, purchasing, sales and storage must be considered in the primary audit and in all following audits.

 

  
  Features of ISO/TS16949: 2002  
   
  • As in ISO/TS16949:1999, in ISO/TS16949:2002 also the ISO 9001:2000 text is boxed and the automobile-specific requirements are stated outside this box.
  • ISO/TS 16949:2002 adopts the definition of "product realisation" of ISO 9001:2000 without giving up the automobile-specific requirements of the planning processes - independent of design responsibility.
  • The hitherto only "sanctioned interpretation" for the scope of the ISO/IEC 17025 has been included in the new ISO/TS 16949:2002.
  
 
  The new requirements of the ISO/TS 16949:2002 include:  
   
  • Process-oriented quality system
  • Control plan for processes producing bulk materials
  • Analysis of field failures
  
     
  Features of ISO/TS16949: 2002  
     
  Globally uniform and recognised automobile specific regulations with:  
   
  • a comprehensive management approach
  • integration of company processes
  • team thinking in the foreground
  • a systematic approach for targeting, company code system and a continuous improvement process
  • regular proof management of all company and process related codes
  • regular detection of customer satisfaction, and benchmarking
  • strong emphasis on prevention and planning
  • consistent error detection and consequently
  • increased client trust, as an attractive and reliable partner of the automobile industry
  • stronger concentration on internal and external customers
  • targeted display of strengths, weaknesses and improvement potential
  • as stronger emphasis is placed on the proof of the code and productivity improvement in the annual audit, the Return on Investment (ROI) is set at an earlier stage
  • better understanding of the automobile and supplier industry issues
 

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