Recognizing the
need for a quality system standard that meets the requirements of automotive
parts manufacturers and suppliers in a global market, several European
and US OEMs as well as related associations in their respective countries
joined together in developing an international quality system standard for automotive
parts manufacturers. The International Automotive Task Force was created, which - in close cooperation with ISO - is in charge of coordinating the
development activities of the international automotive quality system standard
ISO/TS 16949. The standard ISO/TS 16949 is supported and recognized by
the major European and US-based automobile manufacturers: BMW, Daimler-Chrysler,
FIAT, Ford, General Motors, Peugeot-Citroen, Renault and Volkswagen as
well as by their respective trade associations AIAG, ANFIA, FIEV, SMMT
and VDA. Automobile manufacturers from other continents and countries have
accepted the standard.
ISO/TS 16949:2002
is based on the most recent revision of ISO 9001:2000.
The option to operate according to ISO/TS 16949:2002 should certainly
be of interest to international suppliers of auto-parts who sometimes must
meet the requirements of more then one quality system standard.
In the year 2000, IATF started the process
of accrediting third party organizations (Registrars) for the certification
of quality systems to ISO/TS 16949. Now, accredited Registrars are available
in most countries for the certification of ISO/TS 16949:2002. |