ISO/TS 16949

The ISO/TS16949 is an ISO technical specification aiming to the development of a quality management system that provides for continual improvement, emphasizing defect prevention and the reduction of variation and waste in the supply chain. It is based on the ISO 9001 and the first edition was published in March 2002 as ISO/TS 16949:2002.

It was prepared by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) and the "Technical Committee" of ISO. It harmonizes the country-specific regulations of Quality-Management-Systems.

About 30 percent of the more than 100 existing automobile manufacturers affiliate the requirements of the norm but especially the large Asian manufacturers have differentiated, own requirements for the quality management systems of their corporate group and their suppliers.

TS16949 applies to the design/development, production and, when relevant, installation and servicing of automotive-related products. It is based on ISO 9001.

The requirements are intended to be applied throughout the supply chain. For the first time vehicle assembly plants will be encouraged to seek ISO/TS16949 certification.

Certification

The ISO/TS195433 can be applied throughout the supply chain in the automotive industry. A certification takes place on the basis of the certification rules issued by the IATF International Automotive Task Force. The certificate is valid for the length of three years and must be confirmed annually by an IATF certified auditor (3rd Party Auditor) of an accredited certification body, such as TÜV NORD, Bureau Veritas, Det Norske Veritas BA, DQS, LRQA (Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance), Quay Audit & Certification, SGS S.A., and UTAC. Thereafter follows the re-certification for another three years with a fresh annual confirmation. A certificate according to ISO/TS 16949 is intended to build up or enforce the confidence of a (potential) customer into the system and process quality of a (potential) supplier. Today, a supplier without a valid certificate has very little chance to serve a Tier 1 supplier and certainly no chance to serve a car manufacturer (OEM) with standard parts.

Exsense

Exsense is now preparing to apply for the ISO/TS16949 certificate. On-site audit will be given in September 2013. Exsense is changing and developing quietly. Had and having an advantage in automotive products (automotive NTC bare chip, thermistor and temperature sensor), Exsense will have a big advantage in this aspect after getting the ISO/TS16949 certificate. A new looking is coming...