IATF 16949

What is IATF 16949?

IATF 16949 specifies the requirements of a quality management system for automotive production. Born from the need for a globally harmonised quality management system requirements document, IATF 16949 was published in October 2016. It supersedes the automotive standard ISO/TS 16949, which is no longer valid. IATF 16949 requirements include the following key aspects:

• Product safety
• Risk management and contingency planning
• Requirements for embedded software
• Change and warranty management
• Management of sub-tier suppliers

Our free whitepaper provides further information about IATF 16949 certification requirement and process.

Download our IATF 16949 Whitepaper

Why is certification to IATF 16949 important?

Obtaining the IATF 16949 certification demonstrates that your company has met extensive requirements to create a process of continuous improvement with an emphasis on defect prevention and reduction of variation and waste in the supply chain. 

The technical specification obtained from an IATF certification is implemented for all branches of manufacturers and suppliers of products or production materials, services such as heat treatment or galvanising, and other products specified by automotive customers such as the constituent parts of vehicles.

Certification to this technical specification is recognised by leading automotive manufacturers and OEMs. Most leading manufacturers will only work with companies that hold IATF 16949 certification, as they insist that suppliers adhere to the strict technical specifications laid out in the standard.

STEPS TO GET YOUR IATF 16949:2016 CERTIFICATION

An internationally accredited Certification Body for IATF 16949, TÜV SÜD provides the expertise and experience to assess your organisation to the requirements of IATF 16949 and other relevant industry standards.

During the certification process, TÜV SÜD’s independent and qualified auditors apply the following techniques:

STEP 1: Audit (Readiness Review):

It is the first stage in the certification process, wherein our auditor verifies an organisation's preparedness in the quality management system documents. It includes assessing the quality manual, procedure manual, work instructions, test procedures, and relevant records (including records on process performance, internal audit, management review, and other documents identified in the QMS). 

STEP 2: On-site audit

In the stage-2 audit, the audit team performs the compliance conformance against the requirements of IATF16949, customer-specific needs, and core tool requirements. At the end of compliance assessment, the audit team shares the audit observations in the form of a SWOT analysis - Strengths (positive observations), Opportunity/ies for improvement, Weakness/es (Minor non-conformity if any), and Threats (Major non-conformity if any) related to QMS 

STEP 3: Non-conformity management

In case of Non-conformity identified, the organiSation has to complete the closure of non-conformity as per the timelines and method specified in the latest revision of the Rules for achieving IATF recognition (Automotive certification scheme for IATF16949) 

STEP 4: Certification Issuance

Once the non-conformity identified is closed, TÜV SÜD issues the IATF 16949 certification and certification mark and enters the certification into the IATF 16949 database

STEP 5: Surveillance Audits

An annual audit is required to maintain certification validity as per the timeline specified in the latest revision of the Rules for achieving IATF recognition (Automotive certification scheme for IATF16949)

BENEFITS OF IATF 16949 CERTIFICATION:

Certification to IATF 16949 standard is recognised by leading automotive manufacturers and OEMs. Here are a few of the benefits of an IATF 16949 certification:

• Obtaining the IATF 16949 certification demonstrates that your company has met the quality management system requirements to create a process of continuous improvement
• IATF 16949 certification improves customer satisfaction with an emphasis on defect prevention and reduction of variation and waste in the supply chain
• It also provides confidence to the manufacturers who only work with companies that hold the IATF 16949 certification, as they insist that suppliers adhere to the strict requirements laid out in IATF 16949 standard

GET STARTED WITH TÜV SÜD

TÜV SÜD has over 100 years of experience in automotive solutions, working with top OEMs and suppliers across the entire value chain. TÜV SÜD is one of the topmost IATF 16949 certification bodies in India. Our highly qualified auditors are conveniently available in all key regions across the globe.

Our certifications are among the most reputed worldwide. We are an official IATF-contracted and registered IATF 16949 Certification Body. By choosing TÜV SÜD as your IATF 16949 certification body, your IATF certification will be instantly recognised by automotive OEMs everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions