Who is it for?

The IATF 16949 quality management system applies to any company involved in manufacturing and/or providing services to the automotive industry:

• manufactures production materials and components for automotive manufacturers,
• manufactures spare parts for car or motorcycle repair shops,
• provides services to production and assembly lines,
• carries out finishing work (e.g. painting).

The IATF 16949 specification applies to all organisations in the automotive industry, regardless of their size or position in the supply chain. The standard is therefore universal in nature – it takes into account the individual objectives and goals of each business.

Only companies that meet the following criteria may apply for IATF 16949 certification:

• they work with at least one customer in the automotive sector,
• they have implemented a quality management system compliant with ISO 9001 and can confirm that it has been operational for at least the last 12 months.

Information about the standard

IATF 16949 (formerly ISO/TS 16949) is a technical specification of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The standard was developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) in collaboration with ISO. It integrates the requirements of other quality management systems for the automotive industry (the German VDA6.1, the French EAQF, the Italian AVSQ and the American QS-9000), thereby eliminating the need for multiple certifications when working with different clients.

The global automotive industry demands ever-higher product quality, manufactured with care for relationships with business partners and respect for the environment. The IATF 16949 quality management system is designed to achieve these objectives. Therefore, the guidelines it contains cover, for example:

• quality planning,
• risk management,
• product safety,
• testing of non-conforming products,
• waste reduction.

The IATF 16949 quality management system is an extension of the ISO 9001 standard – in addition to its general guidelines, it contains elements specific to the automotive industry. It sets out detailed quality requirements for the entire vehicle manufacturing process (design, production, assembly) and servicing. It serves to integrate the supply chain within the automotive sector.

Benefits of implementation

Implementing the guidelines set out in the IATF 16949 specification leads to an increase in the company’s profitability as a result of:

• the introduction of consistent quality control standards,
• the improvement of product and service quality through continuous monitoring and the implementation of any necessary corrective actions,
• improved staff skills, a greater sense of responsibility and awareness of their individual impact on quality,
• increased effectiveness of production and service management systems,
• reduced operating costs and losses in the supply chain,
• reduction of post-production waste.

Certification of the Quality Management System to the IATF 16949 standard has a positive impact on the brand’s image, enhancing its credibility. For all entities involved in the supply chain, IATF 16949 certification guarantees high-quality products or services. This translates into:

• increased competitiveness of the company in the market,
• attracting new customers, partners and investors,
• the opportunity to expand operations into global markets.

Implementation of a quality management system in accordance with IATF 16949 is not currently mandatory, but in practice it often becomes a prerequisite for supplying products and services to the automotive industry. The IATF group brings together key manufacturers in this sector (including the BMW Group, Daimler AG, FCA US LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Company, Groupe PSA, Renault, VDA and Volkswagen AG). All of them require their suppliers to be certified to IATF 16949.