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IATF 16949

Automotive Quality Management System

This Automotive Quality Management System Standard, known as IATF 16949, is the quality management system requirement for automotive industry. Developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this standard – along with applicable customer specific requirements, ISO 9001, and ISO 9000 – defines the fundamental quality management system requirements for automotive part manufacturers and relevant service organizations involved in the design, development, production, and installation of automotive products

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IATF 16949 certification is widely required by major companies across the automotive supply chain to meet advanced quality requirements beyond ISO 9001. Leading automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW Group, Volkswagen, Ford Motor, General Motors, and other IATF OEMs, fully recognize and mandate this standard.

Automotive Industry Homologation

Homologation

Automotive homologation is the process of certifying that vehicles or specific vehicle components satisfy the requirements set by various statutory regulatory bodies. It is mandatory to obtain this approval prior to placing the product on the market.

As the number of rules and norms applying to automobiles has increased globally due to a growing emphasis on safety and environmental protection, automobile and spare part manufacturers and suppliers must comply with these regulations according to the destination country or region of their product. These standards aim to improve active and passive car safety, environmental protection, as well as the quality of products and production processes.

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Benefits of IATF

Several factors make IATF 16949 certification highly attractive. Its global success has driven a shift toward a unified, internationally accepted quality framework. Ultimately, adopting this standard drives continuous improvement, defect prevention, and the reduction of variation and waste, ensuring long-term organizational success and sustainability.

  • Globally accepted quality management system
  • Common quality system approach in the supply chain for development and consistency, ensuring that the organization works more effectively
  • Overall product and process quality improvement
  • Emphasis on defect prevention
  • Reduction of variation and increase in efficiency
  • Reduction in multiple third-party registrations, freeing up time and supplier resources for other quality activities

The audit process for certification according to IATF 16949

1

Step 01

Enquiry, offer preparation & explanation

2

Step 02

Commissioning & individual scheduling

3

Step 03

Audit: Understanding the organisation & determining readiness for certification

4

Step 04

Identifying potential for improvement

5

Step 05

Fast four-eye check & certificate creation

6

Step 06

External TÜV certificate

7

Step 07

Continuous further development of the management system & competitiveness

Frequently asked questions

FAQ on IATF 16949

IATF 16949 certification is important for all companies that manufacture and supply products for the automotive industry - from upstream suppliers to direct suppliers. This includes companies involved in series and spare parts production as well as providers of value-adding services.

With certification, suppliers prove that they fulfil the QM requirements, undergo a continuous improvement process and implement customer-specific QM system requirements. In addition, many car manufacturers and suppliers require the certificate for joint co-operation.

IATF 16949 is an independent QM standard that contains the requirements of ISO 9001 but is certified independently. If a certificate based on ISO 9001 is also being sought, fulfilment of the ISO 9001 requirements can also be assessed in an IATF-based audit. However, the certification procedure is then carried out independently of IATF 16949.

ISO/TS 16949 is the predecessor standard to IATF 16949 and is no longer valid. Since 15 September 2018, companies must have switched to IATF 16949.

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TUV NORD Thailand has qualified and competent personnel to undertake and certify single-vehicle approvals, sample inspections, and type approvals.

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