Certification - IATF 16949
- Adam C
- Jun 15, 2015
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 2
SOLO Achieves Prestigious IATF 16949 Certification, Strengthening Commitment to Quality and Excellence
Detroit, MI – (June 15, 2015 to present) – SOLO World Partners proudly announces the successful certification of IATF 16949, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to quality, innovation, and operational excellence. This achievement reflects SOLO’s dedication to maintaining world-class standards in engineering, supply chain management, information technology, and financial operations.
SOLO previously held the TS 16949 certification and has now upgraded to the globally recognized IATF 16949 standard. Developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) in collaboration with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), IATF 16949 is the industry’s premier quality management standard for automotive manufacturing and supply chains. It integrates the ISO 9001 framework with sector-specific requirements to ensure the highest levels of efficiency, risk management, and customer satisfaction.
IATF 16949 Certification and Automotive Quality Management:
An FAQ
1. What is IATF 16949:2016 and why is it crucial for automotive suppliers?
IATF 16949:2016 is the global standard for quality management systems in the automotive industry. Developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), it builds upon ISO 9001 by adding specific requirements tailored to the automotive sector. This certification is non-negotiable for companies aiming to operate within the automotive supply chain, as major automakers like Ford, GM, and BMW mandate it from their suppliers. Adhering to IATF 16949 helps companies prevent defects, reduce waste, and ensure consistency in production, which are all critical for maintaining access to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) supply chains.
2. What are the "Core Tools" in automotive quality management, and how do they relate to IATF 169949?
The "Core Tools" are a set of methodologies and guidelines essential for effective quality management in the automotive industry, and they are either directly referenced or inferred by the IATF 16949:2016 standard. These five tools are:
APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning): A structured process for defining and executing the steps required to ensure a product or service satisfies the customer. It involves a "Five-Stage" or "Gated" approach, emphasizing cross-functional development from concept initiation to launch and continuous improvement.
FMEA (Failure Modes and Effect Analysis): A methodology used for risk analysis to identify potential problems (failure modes), their effects, and causes throughout product and process development. It aims to prevent defects and injuries by evaluating existing controls and planning actions to mitigate risks. There are both Design FMEA (DFMEA) and Process FMEA (PFMEA).
PPAP (Production Part Approval Process): A set of requirements to ensure that a product consistently meets customer engineering specifications during actual production runs at the quoted rate. It involves submitting various forms of evidence, often including results from other Core Tools.
MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis): Guidelines for assessing the quality of a measurement system, ensuring that measurement results are accurate and reliable. This includes evaluating gauge repeatability and reproducibility (GR&R) for variable data and Attribute Agreement Analysis (AAA) for attribute data, preventing errors in product acceptance or rejection.
SPC (Statistical Process Control): Uses basic statistical tools and graphs to monitor and control processes for continual improvement. It helps identify normal variation from "special cause" variation, indicating when a process needs adjustment to maintain stability and capability.
These tools are foundational to the robust quality management system required by IATF 16949.
3. How does a company achieve IATF 16949 certification, and what role does a Certification Body play?
To achieve IATF 16949 certification, an organization must implement and maintain a quality management system (QMS) that meets the standard's requirements, which includes satisfying customer-specific requirements and often leveraging the Core Tools. The process involves external audits conducted by an IATF-recognized Certification Body (CB). A CB acts as more than just an auditor; it serves as a strategic partner. The right CB provides accurate audits, identifies meaningful nonconformities, communicates proactively, and offers support for continuous improvement. Their expertise in automotive standards and tools is crucial for insightful feedback. Choosing a reliable CB is a strategic decision that impacts compliance, performance, and long-term growth.
4. What are common nonconformities found during IATF 16949 audits, and how are they addressed?
Common nonconformities can be classified as either major or minor. In 2022, top major nonconformances included problem-solving, nonconformity and corrective action, and manufacturing process design output. Common minor nonconformances included contingency plans, control plans, and total productive maintenance.
When a nonconformity is identified, the organization must follow specific steps:
React: Control the situation and address the immediate issue.
Correct: Implement immediate corrections and handle any consequences.
Review: Determine the scope and root cause of the nonconformity through thorough analysis (e.g., 5-Why).
Develop & Implement: Create and execute action plans to address the root cause.
Verify Effectiveness: Confirm that the implemented solutions fully resolve the nonconformity.
Revise Procedures: Update documented information and procedures as necessary.
Assess Risk: Evaluate the risks associated with any changes made.
All nonconformities must be closed within 90 days, and organizations are required to retain documented information for all these steps.
5. What is the difference between a "major" and "minor" nonconformity in an IATF 16949 audit?
A major nonconformity signifies a critical failure to meet IATF 16949 or ISO 9001 requirements. This can be indicated by a complete system breakdown, a significant number of minor nonconformities, the absence of a required standard or contract element, or any non-compliance that is likely to lead to the shipment of nonconforming products or significantly reduce the QMS's ability to ensure controlled processes and products.
A minor nonconformity, on the other hand, is a less severe deviation from IATF 16949 requirements. While still a failure to comply, it is generally considered unlikely to result in the failure of the QMS or to materially reduce its effectiveness in controlling processes or products. Minor nonconformities often represent oversights or less critical gaps in documentation or implementation.
6. What are the requirements for managing nonconforming products under IATF 16949?
IATF 16949 mandates specific controls for nonconforming products, especially regarding their disposition. The primary intent is to prevent nonconforming products from entering the unofficial aftermarket, being used in road vehicles, or being accidentally shipped to a customer. This means that nonconforming products must be "rendered unusable" prior to final disposal. This process doesn't necessarily have to occur in the manufacturing area, as long as it happens before final disposal. This requirement applies to products that have undergone the part approval process and are intended for shipment to the customer, including repaired products. The organization is responsible for developing, implementing, and verifying the effectiveness of this disposition process, and can use a service provider if their methods are approved and periodically verified. The damage must be sufficient to render the product unusable and unrepairable, but does not necessarily require crushing or pulverizing.
7. What are the IATF 16949 requirements for statutory and regulatory conformity, especially concerning international suppliers and destination countries?
Organizations certified to IATF 16949 must have a robust approach to identify, obtain, review, understand, and ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements for the products they manufacture. This applies to both the country of manufacturing and the destination country where the products are shipped. For purchased products, processes, and services from suppliers, the organization is expected to verify that the supplier's processes ensure compliance with the latest applicable statutory, regulatory, and other requirements in their manufacturing country and the customer-identified countries of destination.
If the customer does not provide a list of destination countries, the organization is required to request it, and generic statements like "every country globally" are not acceptable; a specific list is expected. If the customer fails to provide this information, the organization must provide documented evidence of their efforts to obtain it. The intent of this clause emphasizes proactive management of compliance throughout the entire supply chain to ensure product safety and legality in all relevant markets.
8. What is the significance of "Customer-Specific Requirements" (CSRs) in IATF 16949 certification?
Customer-Specific Requirements (CSRs) are an integral part of IATF 16949 certification. Organizations are responsible for evaluating and incorporating all customer requirements, including CSRs, into their quality management system (QMS) as per IATF 16949, Section 4.3.2. A documented list or matrix of these requirements is necessary and must include all direct customers, whether they are IATF OEMs, non-IATF OEMs, or other automotive customers (Tier 1, Tier 2, etc.).
It can be challenging to identify CSRs if customers do not explicitly link them to IATF 16949 clauses. Organizations should compare sections of the IATF 16949 standard (especially where phrases like "if required by the customer" appear) with their customer's documentation (e.g., supplier quality manuals or public documents) to identify and include relevant specific requirements. It's crucial for the organization to understand these requirements as they often influence product safety, training, and processes, even if they aren't presented in a format directly aligned with IATF 16949 clauses. Failing to adequately address CSRs can lead to nonconformities during audits.
