Fact Sheet: ISO/TS 16949

September 16, 2003

Fact Sheet: ISO/TS 16949

In response to a press release dated April 3, 2003 from the MQVP program administrator, Global Validators, Inc., CAPA has received several inquiries regarding the ISO/TS 16949 Global Automotive Quality Standard and the aftermarket industry. In light of the apparent misinformation in the press release, CAPA is providing this information to set the record straight.

What is ISO/TS 16949?

The ISO/TS 16949:2002 standard is part of a family of standards approved by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that defines quality systems. The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) wrote it specifically for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive industry. Members of the IATF include: ANFIA, CCRA/FIEV, SMMT, BDA, DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation. Intended benefits of registration to this standard include:

Improved product and process quality
Additional confidence for global sourcing
Reassignment of supplier resources to quality improvement
Common quality system approach in the supply chain for supplier/subcontractor development and consistency
Reduction in multiple 3rd party registrations.

Is ISO/TS 16949 applicable to aftermarket parts manufacturers?

No, in spite of the claims made by MQVP, it does not apply to aftermarket part manufacturers, as they do not meet the above applicability requirements of ISO/TS 16949. (NOTE: CAPA inadvertently included "and distributors" in this section when this document was first posted. This error was corrected on October 9, 2003.)

What types of companies may apply for registration to ISO/TS 16949?

ISO/TS 16949 is intended for suppliers that make or fabricate production materials, production or service parts, or production part assemblies. ISO/TS 16949 also applies to specific service oriented suppliers - heat-treating, welding, painting, plating or other finishing services. The customers for these types of suppliers must be manufacturers of automobiles, trucks (heavy, medium and light duty), buses, or motorcycles. Any tier supplier to these manufacturers can adopt and apply the ISO/TS 16949 standard if they meet the described part production or services applicability requirements.

Who can register companies to ISO/TS 16949?

Only third parties contracted by the IATF/IAOB can grant registration to ISO/TS 16949. These registration bodies are not permitted to issue registration for ISO/TS 16949 to aftermarket part manufacturers and distributors. For an aftermarket quality process entity such as MQVP to imply that its participants who manufacture parts solely for the aftermarket are eligible to be registered to this standard is wrong.

Where can I find more information on ISO/TS 16949?

The website of the International Automotive Oversight Bureau (IAOB), which implements and manages the ISO/TS 16949 registration activities in the U.S., is www.iaob.org.

If ISO/TS 16949:2002 does not apply to my organization, what should I do?

All automotive manufacturing suppliers not applicable for ISO/TS 16949 should adopt and apply the ISO 9001:2000 standard until their customer requirements, manufacturing or service capabilities change to justify ISO/TS 16949 certification.

The Certified Automotive Parts Association, founded in 1987, is the nation's only independent, non-profit, third party crash parts quality certification organization. CAPA certification identifies, for both consumers and the industry, those parts that meet our high quality standards for fit, form, finish, material content and corrosion resistance. For more information see www.CAPAcertified.org.