IMSM Ltd, Wiltshire
01793 296704

IATF 16949: Automotive

IATF 16949 is designed to help companies implement effective and robust quality management systems across the entire lifecycle of automotive-related products, including design, development, production, installation, and servicing. It provides a structured framework to ensure consistent quality, drive continual improvement, and reduce waste throughout the supply chain.

 

As a specialised standard for the automotive sector, IATF 16949 is not a stand-alone quality management system. Instead, it is implemented as a supplement to and in conjunction with ISO 9001, leveraging its principles while addressing the specific requirements of the automotive industry.

 

IATF 16949 is not a stand-alone quality management standard but is implemented as a supplement to and in conjunction with ISO 9001.

Trusted by over 2,000 companies across the globe

Reduce waste, costs, and risk.

Tell me more about this standard...

What is IATF 16949?

Automotive supply chain stakeholders are increasingly quality-conscious. Every material sourced must comply with the highest quality standards. IATF 16949 is an opportunity for you to prove your product quality and supply chain competitiveness and build lasting relations within the automotive industry.

IATF 16949 represents an opportunity for standardisation and improvement across the automotive industry. IATF 16949 has been issued to 25,000 companies in 80 countries to date. It is a mandatory requirement for all leading vehicle manufacturers.

0+

Years of Experience

0

IATF 16949

0K+

Overall Certificates Issued

0

Months to Implement on Average

The Benefits of IATF 16949

1. Enhanced Quality Assurance
Improves product & process quality, reducing overheads, waste & errors throughout the manufacturing process. By implementing a robust QMS, organisations can streamline operations & minimise costs associated with defects & rework.
4. Global Compliance Assurance
The standard satisfies the automotive mandates of International Automotive Task Force (IATF) members around the world, ensuring compliance with industry-specific requirements. This compliance helps organisations meet regulatory obligations and aligns their practices with global automotive standards.
2. Improved Delivery Performance
The standard increases on-time delivery by establishing clear processes and performance metrics for managing production schedules. This focus on timely delivery helps enhance customer satisfaction and fosters long-term partnerships with clients.
5. Streamlined Registrations
IATF 16949 eliminates the need for compliance with multiple third-party registrations in different countries, simplifying the certification process for automotive suppliers. By achieving a single certification, organisations can save time and resources while maintaining compliance across multiple markets.
3. Consistent Supply Chain
IATF 16949 ensures absolute consistency throughout the supply chain by standardising processes and quality controls among suppliers and manufacturers. This consistency builds trust with customers and enhances the overall reliability of the automotive supply chain.
6. Competitive Market Advantage
Implementing IATF 16949 increases competitiveness in global markets by demonstrating a commitment to quality and continuous improvement. This certification sets organisations apart from their competitors, making them more attractive to potential customers.
7. Substantiating Information Demand
The standard helps organisations meet the demand for the direct provision of substantiating information regarding product quality and safety. By maintaining thorough documentation and data management, businesses can provide evidence of compliance and build customer confidence in their products.

Steps to getting

IATF 16949 certified

Woking towards IATF 16949 certification with IMSM is a trouble-free, step-by-step approach.

1. Initial consultation

We help you outline your goals, focusing on what your business wants to achieve and how it defines success, particularly in relation to your client’s requirements. You and your ISO consultants will agree on reasonable outcomes and delivery dates.

2. System Documentation

Our client portal IMSMLoop offers a comprehensive insight into the progress of your ISO implementation, along with copies of the relevant audit reports, certifications, and any necessary corrective actions. The portal serves as a central hub for tracking your ISO journey.

3. IATF 16949 Framework Adoption

Ensuring the framework is embedded throughout your organisation, we can also develop and deliver tailored training for staff to ensure that the understanding and implementation of IATF 16949 is watertight. Creating consistency across your organisation.

4. Submission to External Auditor

Your organisation applies to the third-party certifying body that you have selected to conduct your audit. This audit objectively determines whether your business conforms to IATF 16949, and the relevant accompanying documentation is accessible through our client portal, IMSMLoop.

Our Benefits

Why choose IMSM?

Simple: We make it simple. Since 1994, we've helped businesses achieve ISO certification, with over 150 experts worldwide and 15,000+ clients trusting us to implement their ISOs. We've proven to be experts at handling the logistical heavy lifting, saving your company valuable time.

With a transparent fixed fee, flexible approach, and real-time access to updates, documentation, and an array of other features through IMSMLoop, we collaborate with your organisation to make any ISO implementation as straightforward and beneficial as possible.

Your journey starts here

More information on the Road to ISO Certification

Image link
Experienced ISO Consultants

How can ISO Specialists help your business?

Getting started with ISO certification might seem daunting; this is often the reason why businesses enlist the help of an ISO consultant. For 30 years, we've supported and guided organisations like yours through certification. Our experienced consultants take the lead on auditing your business, helping you use the results to enhance your quality management system. If necessary, there is also plenty of room for training.

Established ISO Certifiers since 1994
google partner badge

IATF 16949: Frequently Asked Questions

Who should implement IATF 16949?
IATF 16949 is relevant for any organisation involved in the automotive supply chain, including manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers. It applies to organisations of all sizes, from small suppliers to large automotive manufacturers, aiming to enhance quality management processes and improve overall performance.
Is IATF 16949 certification mandatory?
IATF 16949 certification is not a legal requirement, but it is often essential for organisations that wish to compete in the automotive industry. Many automotive manufacturers and suppliers require their partners to be certified to IATF 16949 to ensure quality and compliance throughout the supply chain.
How can an organisation get IATF 16949 certified?
To achieve IATF 16949 certification, an organisation must first implement a quality management system that aligns with the standard's requirements. After conducting internal audits to assess compliance, the organisation should select an accredited certification body to perform an external audit. Once all requirements are met, the certification will be granted.
How often do IATF 16949 audits occur?
After initial certification, IATF 16949 requires organisations to undergo periodic surveillance audits, typically annually, to ensure ongoing compliance with the standard. Additionally, a full recertification audit is usually conducted every three years to reaffirm the organisation's commitment to quality management and continuous improvement.
This standard contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
03
07
08
09
12
13

High Quality & Prestigious Brands

Advanced services combined with a large experience and fast performance.

“We decided to use IMSM to help and support us through the process. We were fairly new to this as a company and to have a company like IMSM guiding us through the requirements saved us time and gave us the confidence to present to the external auditors, knowing we had everything covered”

starstarstarstarstar
David Spence, Operations Engineering Manager
Ping Network Solutions

"Our ISO certifications help us provide consistent, quality-focused services that our clients have come to depend on and appreciate.”

starstarstarstarstar
Cherie Sprout, Executive Assistant
Integral Consulting Services, Inc.

“We can now demonstrate, via externally internationally recognised accreditation, that Pall-Ex is the number one pallet network for quality. This also allows us extensive yearly external auditing by our certification provider against a measured standard.”

starstarstarstarstar
Will Gardner, Head of QHSE & Operational Improvement
Pall-Ex Limited

"Our IMSM Assessor put in a lot of time and effort; they did a really good job for us, helping to organise what we had here. We had a lot of the pieces in place, they just weren’t put together, which IMSM helped us to do. We have a system in place now and we continually follow up on everything. “

starstarstarstarstar
Steve Head, Business Improvement Director
Anderson Dahlen