ABOUT IATF 16949: 2016 (AMQMS)
IATF 16949 is a global Quality Management System Standard for the Automotive industry. IATF 16949:2016 includes the structure as well as requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system standard with extra automotive customer-specific requirements. It was developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), with support from AIAG. This standard mainly
requires certification from a 3rd party auditor (Registrar/CB/Certification Body). Here are some key areas of focus:
- Continuous improvement
- Defect prevention
- Reducing waste
- Product safety
- Risk management
- Contingency planning
- Requirements for
- embedded software
- Change and warranty management
- Management of sub-tier suppliers
About IATF
The IATF is an “ad hoc” association of automotive manufacturers as well as their respective trade groups, developed to make available products of improved quality to automotive customers across the world. The main purposes for which the IATF was developed are listed below:
- To develop an agreement in regard to international fundamental quality system requirements, mainly for the companies that are participating such as direct suppliers of the production materials, service parts, products or finishing services (e.g. heat treating, painting and plating). These requirements can also be availed by the other interested parties within the automotive industry.
- To formulate policies as well as the procedures for the common IATF third-party registration scheme for ensuring uniformity across the world.
- To provide proper training to support IATF 16949 requirements as well as the IATF registration scheme.
- To establish formal liaisons with appropriate bodies for supporting the IATF objectives.
IATF comprises the following vehicle manufacturers: BMW Group, FCA US LLC, Daimler AG, FCA Italy Spa, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Company, PSA Group, Renault, Volkswagen AG and the vehicle manufacturers respective trade associations – AIAG (U.S.), ANFIA (Italy), FIEV (France), SMMT (U.K.) and VDA QMC (Germany).
Role of Skymoon in TS- 16949- IATF
Skymoon has a well-experienced staff and technical team as well as automobile industry experts for conducting the assessment, implementation and audit of IATF.
Skymoon provides services in three-step assessment, implementation and value added audit and issue of certification for tendering purposes.
Benefits of IATF 16949
Why is IATF 16949 a good idea for your organisation?
The benefits of IATF 16949 are in plenty, large and small companies have gained great benefits by using the standard and discovering the cost and efficiency savings.
Some of the other benefits are listed below.
Credibility and Image
IATF 16949 is an internationally recognized standard; and over the years it has become the basis for creating a Quality Management System (QMS) around the world and has replaced many previously published requirements. When a customer is in search of a supplier, the need to have a QMS based on IATF 16949 is often an important consideration if you are looking to compete in the automotive industry.
Credibility to Supply the Automotive Industry
This can be one of the main drives for companies to become registered to IATF 16949. In order to get large customers from the automotive industry, organisations need to demonstrate their ability to provide quality products with no defects.
Improvement
One of the 7 quality management principles subscribed to by IATF 16949 is to enhance the customer satisfaction by ensuring to meet expectations of the costumers. This can be achieved by improving the quality of service and products, which will result in the retention of the customers and improvement in the business. A satisfied and happy customer is the key to keep the business running.
Process approach
Through looking at the process sequence and interactions using the process approach of IATF 16949 organisations can identify improvements in the efficiency and drive expenditure savings. Again, the exclusion of the waste across the supply chain that occurs is one of the important goals of IATF 16949.
Decision-Making
Another quality management principle of IATF 16949 is the utilization of evidence-based decision-making system. By taking the decisions based on factual data, organisations can place focus on placing resources in the areas which will give maximum improvement in efficiency and effectiveness. In addition to monitoring the process, organisations can measure improvement based on the actual data.
Employee Motivation and Empowerment
When the employees are engaged in the betterment of the processes, they become more involved. Such employees become more productive and help the organization in improving its functions, especially if they understand how the productivity of the process is dependent on them and the impact that it can have on the customer.
