Concepts Of IATF 16949:2016 Standard for the Automotive Sector

These are the standards that ascertain the need for Quality Management System (QMS), especially for the automotive sector. It had been originally created in 1999 to enrich different assessment and certification schemes. It primarily focuses on the event of a top quality Management System which provides a continual improvement, emphasizing defect prevention and therefore the reduction of variation and waste within the supply chain.

IATF 16949 was developed by the International Automotive Task Force to enhance the certification process. it had been issued by CISQ Automotive. this is often a federation of Certification Bodies that are recognized by IATF. IATF is an independent QMS system that's fully aligned with the structure and requirement and this may not work as an alone body but must be implemented as a supplement with ISO 9001:2015.

What is IATF 16949?

This standard will provide guidance and tools for the businesses and organizations who want to make sure their product consistency satisfies their customer requirement also because of the quality and consistency of the products. It actually defines the standards for automotive-based QMS. a corporation will receive the IATF 16949 certification once they provide the merchandise design-related function. Their requirements are generic and are applicable to any supplier providing design and development. It supported the seven QMS Principles which include a robust customer center, the motivation and implication of top management, and therefore the process of continual improvement.
QMS principles are defined as:
1. Customer center
2. Leadership
3. Engagement of individuals
4. Process advance
5. Improvement
6. deciding supported Evidence
7. Relationship management

When and the way to Implement IATF 16946 Standard?
This can be done at any time but mostly used when customers specify this requirement as a part of the contract and organization willing to enhance their products and customer satisfaction.
While implementing any new or improved QMS may be a strategic decision. Their main focus is to spot also as minimize the danger while meeting and exceeding customers, organizational goals, and objective requirements.

Organizations have an eye fixed on:
1. Identify the purchasers who receive value from the organization.
2. Understand the customer needs and expectations from the organization
3. Create a link in between the organization objective to customer needs and expectations
4. Communicate between customer needs and expectation from the organization
5. to satisfy the customer needs and therefore the expectation you ought to first plan, design, develops, produce, deliver and also support the system.
6. to require appropriate measures you ought to measure and monitor customer satisfaction.
7. Organization will become more socially responsible.

How To Get IATF 16949 Certification

For the automotive sector, trust and security are two important terms for patrons. it's tough to create trust among customers. IATF 16949 certification provides a secure and quality management system for the corporate to assist increase the standard of products by improving performance.

What is the IATF 16949 certification?

The IATF certification is a standard made to provide a quality management system in the automotive industry. IATF 16949 certification is a subsidiary standard of (international standard for organization) ISO 9001:2015. Since ISO 9001 covers a wide range of businesses across industries, IATF was made to have a specialized standard for the automotive industry. 

There are several guidelines that industries require to urge IATF 16949 certification. However, getting the IATF certification isn't a simple task. As you recognize that the IATF standard may be a subsidiary of the ISO 9001 certification, you furthermore may get to suits the essential rules of the ISO 9001. However, that doesn't mean you've got to urge ISO certification also again but you've got to require care of the need necessary for the IATF. Moreover, if you've got already certified with the ISO 9001 certification, then you'll specialize in the IATF requirements only. 

Here are the steps involved to get certified with the IATF 16949:

1- Gain knowledge — First, you have to gain some knowledge about IATF 16949 certification. Learn about the eligibility and criteria for the certification then move forward.

2- Gap analysis — Next, you need to identify what you are lacking. As the IATF certification requires an ongoing quality management system (QMS), make a QMS, and identify the gaps.

3- Create a plan- Having a plan is a must before moving forward. Make a well-organized plan to get everything done for the certification.

4- Aware of your employees — for an effective strategy towards getting an IATF certification, it is required to provide knowledge to your employees about the IATF. Start educating them through meetings and presentations about the IATF.

5- Documentation — Now is the time for the documentation. Start making documents necessary for the certification like IATF 16949 quality manuals, procedures, and forms.

6- Improve QMS — Once you are done will all the formalities, start implementing the changes to your QMS. Keep following the guidelines for the next three months necessary for the certification and check whether everything is going as per the plans.

7- Auditing QMS — Keep checking how your quality management system is working. Keep doing Internal audits to check the gaps and implement changes to get better.

8- Registration audit — Once you are done with the registration, contact a registrar to archive your registration by auditing it.

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