6/10/24, 11:17 AM What is IATF 16949?

Beginner's Guide to QMS

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WHAT IS IATF 16949? BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO QMS(QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM)

What is IATF 16949? Beginner's Guide to QMS(Quality Management

System)
ELECROW NEWS TECH BLOGS

July 01, 2023

TAGS QMS ISO/TS 16949 ISO 9001 IATF 16949 Vs ISO 9001 IATF 16949

AS9100 Rev D

What is IATF 16949? Beginner's Guide to

QMS(Quality Management System)

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6/10/24, 11:17 AM What is IATF 16949? Beginner's Guide to QMS

Prologue

Elecrow, a leading provider of electronic manufacturing

services, is already certified to IATF 16949 , which is a
globally recognized standard for quality management
systems (QMS) in the automotive industry. This
achievement reflects Elecrow's commitment to delivering
high-quality products and services to its customers.

As news of the certification spreads, some customers have

expressed interest in learning more about the IATF 16949
standard and how it relates to their business. In this article,
we will delve into the details of the IATF 16949 certification
and explain how it can benefit both Elecrow and its
customers in the automotive industry.

The automotive industry is one of the most competitive and

demanding industries in the world. To meet the high-quality
standards required by customers, automotive
manufacturers must implement a robust quality
management system(QMS) that ensures consistency,
reliability, and safety. Thus, One such standard, IATF
16949 has emerged and become increasingly important in
this industry.

As a quality management system(QMS) standard

specifically designed for the automotive industry, IATF 16949
provides a framework for automotive manufacturers to
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establish and maintain a quality management system that

meets customer requirements and enhances product and
process quality.

If you are new to the automotive industry or looking to

improve your knowledge of quality management systems,
this beginner's guide to IATF 16949 will provide you with a
comprehensive overview of the IATF 16949 standard, IATF
16949 requirements, and IATF 16949 benefits. Whether you
are an automotive manufacturer, supplier, or customer,
understanding IATF 16949 is essential for ensuring the
quality and safety of automotive products. Let's dive into
the world of IATF 16949 and discover what it is and why it
matters.

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6/10/24, 11:17 AM What is IATF 16949? Beginner's Guide to QMS

What is IATF 16949?

The International Automotive Task Force published IATF

16949:2016 on October 3rd, 2016 and it replaces ISO/TS
16949, which defines quality management
system(QMS) requirements for organizations in the
automotive industry.

The IATF 16949 standard is a global standard for quality

management systems in the automobile industry,
incorporating the ISO 9001:2015 standard with additional
automotive customer-specific requirements. This standard
was developed by the International Automotive Task Force
(IATF) with AIAG(Automotive Industry Action Group)'s
support.

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A third-party auditor (Registrar/CB/Certification Body) is

required to verify its compliance.

Some areas of focus that are important to consider are:

Defect prevention
Risk management
Change and warranty management
Management of sub-tier suppliers
Continuous improvement 

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Reducing waste
Product safety
Contingency planning
Requirements for embedded software

What is ISO 9001?

International standards such as ISO 9001 define what an
effective quality management system (QMS) looks like.
Organizations that are ISO 9001-certified demonstrate their
ability to consistently provide high-quality products and
services and comply with regulatory requirements and
customer expectations.

From agriculture to zinc processing, ISO 9001:2015 applies to

products and services across the globe. It comprises ten
sections, including:

Support
Operation
Context of the organization
Leadership
Planning
Improvement
Performance evaluation

As a requirement of ISO 9001 standard, companies must:

Conformance to regulations while consistently delivering acceptable products and

services to customers
The clear goal of improving customer satisfaction while maintaining compliance through
continual improvement

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See more information about ISO 9001 and related

standards Quality management here.

IATF 16949 vs ISO 9001

IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 have a fundamental difference in
their management. ISO 9001 is managed by the
International Organization for Standardization, while IATF
16949 was developed with the input of members of the
automotive industry, including automakers and groups like
the Automotive Industry Action Group.

In contrast to ISO 9001, IATF 16949 adds an emphasis on

corporate responsibility, process owners, and the
effectiveness and efficiency of processes.


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Additionally, ISO 9001 focuses on customer satisfaction, but

IATF 16949 goes further, requiring compliance with specific
requirements specified in the standard for each company.
Furthermore, ISO 9001 can be utilized across all facilities
that an organization owns and manages, whereas IATF
16949 is only applicable to original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) developing, producing, or servicing
auto parts, and not to aftermarket parts.

IATF 16949:2016 vs AS9100 Rev D

The IATF 16949 and AS9100D standards are both based on
ISO 9001:2015, an internationally recognized quality
management system standard. The difference is the focus
on the additional requirements in each standard.

Aerospace uses AS9100, while automotive uses IATF 16949.

The changes to the standard are the additions that these
industries have determined are necessary to make a
QMS suitable for their specific industry requirements.

There are additions to AS9100 (published by the

International Aerospace Quality Group) that focus on
product safety, managing the exact configuration of each
product, and preventing the use of counterfeit parts.
Managing on-time delivery and addressing human factors
that can affect the way processes are carried out are two
requirements that often appear without a separate clause.


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In contrast, IATF 16949 (published by the International

Automotive Task Force) adds requirements for the design
and control of processes, qualifications for specific
individuals, and tools to be used (such as statistical tools).
It also requires controls for external suppliers and
production processes (such as scheduling and total
product maintenance). There are also specific
requirements for non-conforming products. Some
requirements specific to the automotive industry are also
included, including error-proofing and problem-solving.

ISO/TS 16949 vs IATF 16949:2016

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The previous automotive standard, ISO/TS 16949, focused

on the organization's requirements. However, the updated
IATF 16949 now includes customer specifications and
requirements in their audit to ensure that the company is
meeting them, emphasizing accountability and safety.

Here are some of the key differences between the two

automotive standards:

Clause 4: Context of the Organization

This is a new clause that requires an organization's quality
management system to consider interested parties such as
shareholders and employees, in addition to defining the 

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organization's context and internal and external issues.

ISO/TS 16949 only referenced customers.

Clause 5: Leadership
IATF 16949:2016 now mandates that top management must
take responsibility for the effectiveness of the quality
management system. Additionally, this clause adds
obligations related to corporate responsibility.

Clause 6: Planning
IATF 16949:2016 introduces fresh requirements that oblige
organizations to determine risks and opportunities and to
carry out risk assessment and analysis processes like FMEA.

Clause 7: Support
While ISO/TS 16949 only addressed measuring equipment,
IATF requirements call for monitoring and measurement
activities. The newer standard also covers software on
employee-owned and customer-owned equipment.

Clause 8: Operation
IATF 16949:2016 updated this clause to give more
importance to process control, particularly in terms of
planned changes and the review of unintended
consequences. It also includes additional requirements for
supplier management, measurement, and selection.

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Clause 9: Performance Evaluation

IATF 16949:2016 mandates a risk-based approach
to internal audits and incorporates new qualifications
for internal auditors.

Clause 10: Improvement

In contrast to ISO/TS 16949, the updated IATF
standard requires organizations to identify opportunities for
improvement to enhance customer satisfaction. It also
includes new corrective action requirements.

Overall, IATF 16949: 2016 necessitates more documentation

than its predecessor, ISO/TS 16949.

Why do companies want to Implement IATF

16949?
If a company wants to supply its products to the
Automotive Industry, IATF 16949 registration is not only
advantageous but an absolute requirement. To conform to
IATF 16949, companies registered to this Technical
Specification must develop their suppliers' Quality
Management Systems.

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Benefits of IATF 16949 Certification

Certification to IATF 16949, a global standard for automotive
quality management, offers a unique set of benefits in
addition to those provided by its close relationship with ISO
9001. Here are some of the advantages of IATF 16949
certification:

1. Enhanced Credibility
IATF 16949 certification demonstrates your company's
commitment to adhering to widely accepted quality
management standards. If your company is IATF certified,
procurement buyers for automotive manufacturers will
recognize your dedication to meeting customer
requirements for high-quality products with zero defects.
This recognition can enhance your company's reputation
and increase your chances of securing contracts with these
buyers.

2. Expanded Global Reach

Certification to the global IATF 16949 standard can expand
your customer base to companies worldwide, providing
new opportunities for growth and collaboration.

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3. Increased Customer Satisfaction

Achieving IATF 16949 certification involves improving
customer satisfaction, which can increase customer loyalty
and repeat business, ultimately boosting your bottom line.

4. Improved Process Integration

IATF certification's dedicated process approach can help
you integrate systematic processes, reduce duplication,
and increase efficiencies. Closer integration of processes
can drive cost savings across your operation.

5. Evidence-Based Decision Making

IATF 16949 certification provides managers with the
necessary data to make informed decisions, reducing
reliance on intuition and gut feelings. This leads to
improved decision-making, which can positively impact
policy formulation and operational procedures.

6. Cultivation of a Culture of Continual

Improvement
IATF 16949 emphasizes continual improvement as a
hallmark of its standard. Focusing on continual
improvement can lead to cost and efficiency savings, and
create a culture of continuous improvement that provides
ongoing benefits. 

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7. Increased Employee Engagement

Engaged employees can make a significant difference in
an organization's performance. IATF 16949 certification can
lead to increased employee engagement by providing
employees with a clearer understanding of their roles and
how they contribute to the organization's success. Engaged
employees are also better positioned to identify areas for
improvement and help implement necessary changes.

IATF 16949 PDF on FAQs

See more information about IATF 16949 FAQs here.

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Details regarding IATF 16949:2016 can be obtained from the

IATF website: www.iatfglobaloversight.org

Elecrow Provides IATF 16949-Certified PCB

Assembly Services
Elecrow is a trusted provider of high-quality PCB
Assembly services that are IATF 16949 certified. IATF 16949
certification ensures that Elecrow's services meet the
rigorous standards of automotive quality management
systems. With efficient and professional services, Elecrow is
committed to delivering exceptional results to its customers
with state-of-the-art facilities equipped with the latest
technology. In addition, Elecrow is staffed by a team of
highly skilled professionals dedicated to providing
precision-driven and technologically advanced services.
Elecrow's IATF 16949 certification is a testament to its
commitment to compliance and delivering the highest
quality services to its customers.

See Elecrow’s IATF 16949 certification PDF here.

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If you are a maker interested in creating your own

electronics projects and need a professional PCB assembly
service provider to help you mass produce your ideas,
Elecrow is a definitely great working partner you can rely on,
Elecrow even provides partner seller program with superb
IATF 16949- certified PCB Assembly ability to help those with
fantastic ideas to bring their concepts to reality and reap
benefits online.

See Elecrow’s partner seller Program here!

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