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 is based on the standard ISO 9001. 

The option to operate according to ISO/TS 16949:2009 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 16949:2009 which is the latest revision of the standard.