The latest version of the technical specification, ISO/TS 16949:2009—"Quality management systems—Particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2008 for automotive production and relevant service part organizations," specifies quality system requirements for automotive suppliers so that they can implement quality management systems that provide for continuous improvement, focusing on defect prevention and reducing unnecessary process variations that contribute to waste.

This 2009 edition was also written so that its management requirements are compatible with the management requirements of ISO 9001:2008 and to improve the specifications' consistency with the requirements of ISO 14001, the environmental management system standard.

Although no essential changes were made to the technical requirements, there are division-specific requirements from incorporating ISO 9001:2008, addressing areas such as employee competence, awareness and training, design and development, control of monitoring and measuring devices, analysis, and production and service provision.

ISO/TS 16949:2009 can be applied throughout the automotive supply chain.

 …