At a Glance: IATF and ISO/TS 16949:2009

19 October 2015

ISO/TS 16949 is the international management standard for organizations working in the global automotive supply chain.

Based on ISO 9001, it was designed to help businesses improve overall quality and consistency while giving them tools to reduce waste, improve efficiency and increase customer satisfaction.

Who are the IATF?

IATF — the International Automotive Task Force — is a working group consisting of representatives from some of today’s most prominent vehicle manufacturers, including BMW, Ford and General Motors, as well as related trade organizations.

Its stated goal is “the development of a quality management system that provides for continual improvement, emphasising defect prevention and the reduction of variation and waste in the supply chain” through the development of policies and processes that support a universal third party registration scheme.

Who Certification Helps and Why It Matters

Customers who have increased confidence in the products they are purchasing will drive growth and create more opportunities for businesses at all stages of the supply chain.

Despite improvements in safety, efficiency and technical sophistication, 2014 saw record numbers of vehicle recalls both in the United States and in the UK. Managing risk and reducing the likelihood of a costly, reputation-damaging product recall is an important priority for both auto manufacturers and their suppliers.

Currently, registration with ISO/TS 16949 is a requirement of doing business with an estimated 30 percent of major automotive manufacturers. Because the standard is generic in nature, it is applicable to a wide range of organizations, including:

Any company manufacturing (including design, if applicable) parts, assembly, installation and services of automotive-related products
Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers
Automotive assembly plants
OEM service centres and OEM approved remanufacturing sites
And more

The Certification Process

Certification to ISO/TS 16949 is a three-step process consisting of submitting an application, completing a two-stage audit and undergoing regular audits to confirm the standard continues to be properly applied. ISO/TS 16949 is designed to be fully scalable to grow with your organization, providing you with built-in tools for maintaining consistency even as your business expands.

Getting Started With TS:16949

The best way to learn more about the certification process and about the many benefits of becoming TS 16949 registered is to speak with an official auditing organization. Get in touch to find out more about certification today.