Manufacturing

TS 16949 is the International Quality Management Standard specifically written by the Automotive Industry.

In a concerted effort to improve quality and assure the integrity of supplies to the industry. Subscribers to the standard include BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, PSA, Renault and Volkswagen.

The introduction of TS 16949 has resulted in substantial improvements in all aspects of quality, delivery and overall efficiency throughout the supply chain. It has also reduced the requirement for multiple audits of manufacturers.

The International Automotive Task Force (IATF), which members include nine major OEMs, is committed to ensuring that TS 16949 remains the automotive quality systems standard for the future.

Who is TS 16949 applicable to?The standard is applicable to any organisation within the automotive supply chain that manufactures and / or adds value to parts for supply to the automotive industry. What are the benefits of certification to TS 16949?

• Global recognition as a reputable supplier - certification is recognized and accepted throughout the automotive supply chain as an industry benchmark
• Customer satisfaction - through delivery of products that consistently meet customer requirements
• Reduced cost of compliance with customer specifications - through implementation of a single management system and reduced audit requirements
• Reduced operating costs - through continual improvement of processes and resulting operational efficiencies
• Improved stakeholder relationships - including staff, customers and suppliers
• Legal compliance - by understanding how statutory and regulatory requirements impact the organization and its customers
• Improved risk management - through greater consistency and traceability of products and services
• Proven business credentials - through independent verification against recognized standards
• Ability to win more business - particularly where procurement specifications require certification as a condition to supply

How to gain certification to TS 16949The process of registration follows three simple steps:

• Application for registration is made by completing the application questionnaire
• The NQA assessment is undertaken by qualified TS 16949 auditors. The assessment activity includes a Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit. The organisation must be able to demonstrate that it has 12 months performance data for the manufacture of automotive products, has been subject of a full cycle of internal audits and full management review. (Organisations who can demonstrate they are on an active bid list and / or do not yet have a full 12 months performance data may apply for a Letter of Conformance)
• Registration is granted by NQA and maintained by the organisation. Maintenance is confirmed through a programme of annual surveillance visits and a three yearly re-certification audit.

ISO 9001:2008 is the International Standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS).

It provides your company with a set of principles that ensure a common sense approach to the management of your business activities to consistently achieve customer satisfaction.

Who is ISO 9001:2008 applicable to?Any organisation can benefit from implementing ISO 9001:2008 as its requirements are underpinned by eight management principles:

• a customer focused organisation
• leadership
• the involvement of people
• ensuring a process approach
• a systematic approach to management
• a factual approach to decision making
• mutually beneficial supplier relations
• continuous improvement

What are the benefits of registration?

• Customer satisfaction - through delivery of products that consistently meet customer requirements
• Reduced operating costs - through continual improvement of processes and resulting operational efficiencies
• Improved stakeholder relationships - including staff, customers and suppliers
• Legal compliance - by understanding how statutory and regulatory requirements impact on the organization and its your customers
• Improved risk management - through greater consistency and traceability of products and services
• Proven business credentials - through independent verification against recognized standards
• Ability to win more business - particularly where procurement specifications require certification as a condition to supply

How to gain registration?The process of registration follows three simple steps:

• Application for registration is made by completing the QMS questionnaire
• Assessment to ISO 9001:2008 is undertaken by NQA - the organisation must be able to demonstrate that its quality management system has been fully operative for a minimum of three months and has been subject of a full cycle of internal audits
• Registration is granted by NQA and maintained by the organisation. Maintenance is confirmed through a programme of annual surveillance visits and a three yearly re-certification audit.

Initial Certification AuditThe assessment process for achieving certification consists of a two stage Initial Certification Audit as follows:

Stage 1 - the purpose of this visit is to confirm the readiness of the organisation for full assessment. The assessor will:

• confirm that the quality manual conforms to the requirements of ISO 9001:2008
• confirm its implementation status
• confirm the scope of certification
• check legislative compliance
• produce a report that identifies any non-compliance or potential for non-compliance and agree a corrective action plan if required.
• produce an assessment plan and confirm a date for the Stage 2 assessment visit.

Stage 2 - the purpose of this visit is to confirm that the quality management system fully conforms to the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 in practice. The assessor will:

• undertake sample audits of the processes and activities defined in the scope of assessment
• document how the system complies with the standard
• report any non-compliances or potential for non-compliance
• produce a surveillance plan and confirm a date for the first surveillance visit
• If the assessor identifies any major non-conformance, the organisation cannot be certified until corrective action is taken and verified.