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With the automotive sector becoming ever more competitive, automotive suppliers are increasingly turning their attention overseas to increase their market share. Traditionally this could involve a supplier's quality management system being certified to a number of quality management systems standards and specifications (QS-9000, VDA 6.1, EAQF and AVSQ). However, with the introduction of TS 16949 and its world-wide acceptance by such OEMs as BMW, Daimler-Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, GM etc., it is now possible to comply with only one technical specification yet supply multiple OEMs.
This will have added benefit to both suppliers and manufacturers, with reduced requirements for Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) and customer audits. If the QS-9000 experience is to be repeated then the adoption of TS 16949 should lead to substantial improvements in all aspects of quality, delivery and overall efficiency throughout the supply chain.
March 2002 saw the global launch of TS 16949:2002 aligned to ISO 9001:2000; in doing so the IATF has made a clear statement that TS 16949 is here to stay. Consequently, it is not surprising that TS 16949 is evolving as THE automotive quality systems technical specification for the future.
TS 16949:2002 eligibility requirements
TS 16949:2002 states that it is applicable to sites of an organisation where customer specified parts, for production and/or aftermarket products are manufactured.
Supporting functions such as design and distribution centres can form part of the site that they support, but they CANNOT obtain certification in their own right.
Transition from QS-9000 to TS 16949:2002
Due to the timing of the release of TS 16949 (March 2002), it has become apparent to the Supplier Quality Requirements Task Force (SQRTF) that there is insufficient time available to train the required numbers of QS-9000 auditors to perform TS 16949 audits before the 15th December 2003 deadline.
Bodies such as NQA have been given authorisation to extend the validity of QS-9000 certificates until 14th December 2006. Clients currently registered to QS-9000 will have until this time in which to upgrade their systems to TS 16949. This does not apply to ANY ISO 9001:1994 certificates, which will still become obsolete on the 15th December 2003.
Despite this three year extension NQA urges all of its current QS-9000 clients to begin the transition process to TS 16949 as soon as possible. After 14th December 2003, QS-9000 clients wishing to maintain ISO 9001 registration will require additional audit time to address all of the requirements of ISO 9001:2000.
Those clients who are currently registered to QS-9000 with NQA are eligible for a reduction in the time required for TS 16949 assessment. This reflects the similarities between the two standards as well as the desire of the members of the IATF to encourage their suppliers to adopt TS 16949.
N.B. if you are currently registered with another approved certification body for QS-9000 and transfer to NQA prior to applying for certification to TS 16949, then the same reduction in time would apply.
The registration process
Registration to TS 16949 is almost identical to that for ISO 9001. Upon receipt of an application the client will be sent a checklist and a list of what documentation will need to be made available to the assessor at the initial review.
The initial review will be conducted by one of NQA's experienced automotive assessors who has been specifically trained by the IATF (International Automotive Task Force) to assess to the requirements of TS 16949.
This initial review will ascertain the client's readiness for a full assessment. At the end of the audit the assessor will make one of the following recommendations:
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The client is ready for an assessment (in which case a date will be booked)
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The client will be ready for an assessment pending the submission and approval of adequate corrective action
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The client is not yet ready for assessment and should reapply to NQA in the future when shortfalls have been addressed
The full assessment will be conducted within three months of the initial review, and will normally be conducted by the same assessor who carried out the initial review. The assessor will assess the company's compliance with TS 16949 and make one of the following recommendations;
- Full registration
- Registration following submission and approval of adequate corrective action
- Non-compliances identified requiring a second audit
The first surveillance visit will be undertaken six months after the date of the main assessment to ensure the continued effectiveness of the system and progress made towards continual improvement targets. Surveillance visits will then be carried out either annually or six monthly, depending on the size of the organisation. Following three years of registration, NQA will conduct a reassessment visit, which may require more time than the standard surveillance visit, dependent again on the size of the organisation being assessed.
NQA and TS 16949
NQA maintains a number of full time automotive assessors, who are fully trained and qualified to audit companies to TS 16949. However, it is likely that there will be a high demand for TS 16949 registration so ensure that you contact NQA early to arrange your assessment programme.
If you do require assessment to TS 16949 as a matter of urgency please inform either your NQA assessor or regional staff who will try their very best to ensure that your needs are met.
NQA offers a pre-assessment service which is an extremely useful method to assist a company in ascertaining its preparedness for assessment. At the pre-assessment visit an NQA automotive assessor will assess both the company's documentation and working practises for compliance with TS 16949. The NQA assessor will identify any areas of a company's management system which either fails to comply with TS 16949 or where opportunities for improvement exist.
If you have any queries please contact your NQA India office where the staff will be more than happy to help you or e-mail: enquiries@nqaindia.com
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TS 16949
