ISO Certification News

IATF 16949 is a standard that basically consolidates all the existing automotive quality management standards all over the world. It was formulated by International Automotive Task Force (IATF) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The standard seeks to create a quality management system that will help in continuous improvement, it gives importance to zero defect culture and process of reducing variation and waste in automotive supply chain.

Certification of IATF 16949 is built on the ISO 9001 standard with these requirements plus some more that are specific to the automotive industry. It targets any corporation which is engaged in the design, development, manufacture, installation or servicing of automobiles components.

Identifying the requirements

The initial step in the accomplishment of IATF 16949 certification is to perfectly understand what it implies. This encompasses:

• Examining the Standard: Get your hands on ISO 9001:2015 standard requirements and official IATF 16949 standard document. Read definitions, terms, requirements, and information etc.
• Gap Analysis: Assess your current QMS thoroughly to ensure it meets the requirements of IATF 16949 through a detailed gap analysis which will enable the understanding of which areas need a complete transformation or overhaul.
• Education and Training: Train key staff to ensure they understand the importance and implications of the standard. Consider using established trainers for more detailed training sessions.

Key Steps for A Successful IATF 16949 Implementation

It’s hard to imagine having to implement a Quality Management System (QMS) and get it certified to IATF 16949:2016. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ll give you a high level overview of the 12 steps you need in this successful implementation.You can make sure you don’t miss anything by following these procedures, which will also help you get ready for your certification audit.

1. Identify the requirements for the QMS.

 Equally important is to identify each of the requirements that within your quality management need to be taken care of. Of course, it also refers to needs such as legislative and regulatory standards for the benchmark, as well as cultural needs to be met by your business.

2. Define the Scope

The areas of your business that your QMS extends to, or should extend to, is called the scope of the QMS. Since the entire organization can be included in the scope, this is usually not necessary because you don’t wish to specify parts of your business that aren’t affected by your quality management.

3. Define your procedure and protocols. 

To deliver the essential consistency and quality, your organization may require additional processes or procedures, therefore you’ll need to specify those as well as any processes that are mandated by IATF 16949:2016. Define all of your business processes and pay attention to how they interact within your company; here is where issues usually surface. 

4. Put these guidelines and practices into action. 

It is now necessary for you to implement all of these policies and procedures. Some of these are probably already in place; they simply need to be updated to meet the new needs. The others will have to be developed from beginning to end.

Conclusion

The process of becoming certified to IATF 16949 Certification is complex and calls for careful preparation, thorough execution, and a continuous dedication to quality. Your company can successfully adhere to and implement the IATF 16949 standard, improving its reputation and competitiveness in the automotive industry, by following these five steps which have been discussed above.