ISO/TS16949 2002 is a more process-based approach that requires stricter controls on each individual manufacturing process.

:: TS16949 Q & A Series ::

What are the benefits of Certification to ISO/TS 16949 with BSI?

ISO 9001:2000, upon which ISO/TS 16949:2002 is based, encourages the use of a process-based approach. Understanding the interrelationship of processes within the organization through the use and application of standards enables improved product and process quality.

Also, organizations can be certified against one international automotive management system standard instead of having to meet requirements from multiple standards such as QS-9000, VDA-6 etc. This may mean:

• A common quality system approach in the supply chain for development and consistency, allowing organizations within the supply chain to work more effectively together.
   
• Common language, which will improve understanding of quality requirements, making implementation and maintenance of the system easier.

Who are the authors of ISO/TS16949: 2002?

The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) wrote ISO/TS16949. The IATF consists of an international group of vehicle manufacturers including, but not limited to, BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat Auto, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, PSA Peugeot-Citroen, Renault SA and Volkswagen, plus national trade associations, AIAG (America), VDA (Germany), SMMT (UK), ANFIA (Italy) and FIEV (France). Japanese Automotive Manufacturers Association, JAMA, has been involved in the development of ISO/TS16949: 2002, and id expected to join IATF as a full member in due course.

Will current automotive quality standards be replaced by ISO/TS 16949?

QS-9000 has been given an extension of 3 years beyond the 15th of December 2003 (the expiry date of ISO9001: 1994). Clients certified to QS-9000 will therefore have until the 14th of December 2006 to upgrade to ISO/TS16949: 2002 although this may be subject to specific vehicle manufacturer requirements. New certification to QS-9000 will still be possible in the period up to the 14th of December 2006, but all QS-9000 certificates will become obsolete from the 15th of December 2003.

What are the main points of TS16949 and how will it affect non-automotive customers?

TS16949 represents a significant evolution over the current QS9000 quality/operating standard. TS16949 requires the manufacturer to look at each and every failure mode in detail, and perform studies to identify the root cause of each defect found in the process.

Once the root causes are identified, the manufacturer is required to implement changes and/or programs to reduce these defects. This is a mandatory continuous improvement program that can be measured directly with defect rates. If a manufacturer that is TS16949 certified does not show continuous improvement with respect to defect rates, their certification can be withdrawn.

While this is an automotive standard, its application is on a global basis within the manufacturing operation. Every customer will benefit directly by incurring a lower total COST of purchasing via a number of avenues. These include, but are not limited to:

1. Lower purchase prices as the manufacturer should be running at a lower in-process defect rate
    
2. Lower costs associated with line down issues as late product receipts will be dramatically reduced and nearly eliminated
    
3. Lower reject rates at the end of the line associated with defective products from a TS16949 certified supplier