This month, the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) published IATF 16949, the standard for automotive quality management systems. In this article I’ll provide background on the origins of this important industry standard, summarize the key changes from its predecessor, ISO/TS 16949, and offer guidance on achieving certification to the requirements of the standard.

What is IATF 16949?

IATF 16949 is a technical specification developed by the IAFT that defines quality management system requirements applicable in the automotive supply chain. It is based on the international standard for quality management systems, ISO 9001, from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). IATF 16949 adopts the high-level structure implemented in ISO 9001:2015 and also incorporates additional quality requirements applicable exclusively to the automotive sector. Further, IATF 16949 details a registration scheme for third-party suppliers to independently validate compliance with the requirements of the standard.

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