TS16949

1. Introduction to TS16949 Certification

ISO/TS16949:2009 is a technical specification for the international automotive industry, based on ISO9001 and incorporating technical specifications specific to the automotive industry. This specification is fully consistent with ISO9000:2008, but places greater emphasis on defect prevention and reducing quality fluctuations and waste that are prone to occur in the automotive parts supply chain. The pertinence and applicability of the ISO/TS16949 standard are very clear, and it is only applicable to complete vehicle manufacturers and their direct spare parts manufacturers. In other words, these manufacturers must be directly related to the production of automobiles, capable of carrying out processing and manufacturing activities, and through such activities, they can add value to products. At the same time, there are strict qualifications for certified companies. Those units that only have support functions, such as design centers, company headquarters, and distribution centers, or those that manufacture equipment and tools for complete vehicle manufacturers or automotive spare parts manufacturers, cannot obtain certification. The management of ISO/TS16949:2009 certification is carried out by five major supervisory organizations on behalf of the IATF. They use the same procedural methods to supervise the operation and implementation of the ISO/TS16949 specification, in order to form a completely unified system of standards and operations worldwide.

ISO/TS16949:2002 was developed by the IATF with the support of the Quality Management and Quality Assurance Technical Committee of ISO/TC 176. The third edition of ISO/TS16949 cancels and replaces the second edition, and has undergone technical revisions based on ISO9001:2008. Since ISO/TS16949:2009 already includes all the content of ISO9001:2008, obtaining certification to ISO/TS16949:2009 also signifies compliance with the ISO9001:2008 standard.

2. Characteristics

ISO/TS16949 is a technical specification for the international automotive industry, which is based on ISO9001 and incorporates technical specifications specific to the automotive industry. This TS16949 certification specification is fully consistent with ISO9000:2000, but it places greater emphasis on defect prevention and reducing quality fluctuations and waste that are prone to occur in the automotive parts supply chain.

ISO/TS16949 is a technical specification in the international automotive industry, with a very clear focus and applicability: this specification is only applicable to complete vehicle manufacturers and their direct spare parts manufacturers. These manufacturers must be directly related to the production of automobiles, capable of carrying out processing and manufacturing activities, and through such activities, they can add value to products. There are strict qualifications for the certified companies. Those units that only have support functions, such as design centers, company headquarters, and distribution centers, cannot independently obtain ISO/TS16949:2002 certification. For those manufacturers that produce equipment and tools for complete vehicle manufacturers or automotive spare parts manufacturers, they also cannot obtain ISO/TS16949:2002 certification. Therefore, the implementation of ISO/TS16949:2002 will have a direct impact on the three major automobile companies and their spare parts manufacturing suppliers.

ISO/TS16949 places special emphasis on the finished product of the manufacturer and the quality system capability to achieve this finished product. It considers this as the foundation of the entire manufacturing process. Another characteristic is that it pays special attention to the effectiveness of an organization's quality management system.

The audit of ISO/TS16949:2002 has shifted from a focus on individual elements to a process-based audit. A process audit places emphasis on being user-centric. It evaluates the manufacturer's activities based on user requirements and measures the manufacturer's performance around user satisfaction. Additionally, the three major automobile manufacturers have specific product requirements for their suppliers, and the audit of ISO/TS16949:2002 also includes a process audit to ensure compliance with these requirements.

ISO/TS16949 places customer requirements and technical specifications on an equally important footing. Therefore, the certification company's certification and audit of manufacturers is similar in many respects to second-party audits.

One of the main features of ISO/TS16949:2002 is that it is a single global quality system standard and registration procedure recognized by the IATF. Mutual recognition will reduce second-party and third-party audits, saving costs for manufacturers. Additionally, compared to document audits, TS16949 places more emphasis on process audits.

Since ISO/TS16949:2002 already encompasses all the content of ISO9001:2000, obtaining certification to ISO/TS16949:2000 also signifies compliance with the ISO9001:2000 standard.

3. Requirements for the auditee

ISO/TS16949:2002 certification and registration are applicable to the entire automotive supply chain. These manufacturers must be directly related to the production of automobiles, possess processing and manufacturing capabilities, and through the realization of such capabilities, they can add value to the products.

Companies seeking ISO/TS16949:2002 certification and registration must possess a minimum of 12 months of production and quality management records, encompassing comprehensive records of internal audits and management reviews.

For a newly established processing site without 12 months of records, it can still undergo review. If the site meets the quality system specification requirements after review, the certification company can issue a letter indicating compliance with the requirements. Once the site has 12 months of records, it can proceed with certification audit and registration.

If an institution that has been certified and issued a certificate fails to maintain the normal operation of its quality system and the consistency of product quality, it will face the risk of having its certificate revoked.

4. Benefits of certification

1. Market expansion: ISO/TS16949:2002, as a symbol of quality assurance, helps enterprises gain customers' trust and secure a broader market space.

2. Improve customer satisfaction: By implementing ISO/TS16949:2002, we focus on and meet customer requirements to enhance customer satisfaction.

3. Cost reduction and efficiency improvement: Continuously monitor the operational performance of the enterprise and refine process performance indicators to achieve cost reduction and efficiency improvement.

4. Improve product and delivery quality: Utilize systematic development and improvement methods to ensure product quality and delivery performance

5. Promote the improvement of product and process quality.

6. Integrate the best practices from the global automotive industry.

7. Enhance the confidence of global suppliers.

8. Ensure global consistency of the quality system for supplier/sub-supplier services within the supply chain.

9. Reduce variation and waste, and comprehensively improve production efficiency.

10. Reduce the frequency of second-party audits.

11. Eliminate the requirement for redundant third-party audits.

12. Provide a universal platform for quality system requirements worldwide.

5. Certification process

The TS16949 certification process comprises initial certification, annual surveillance inspection, and recertification.

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