Beacon Quality Blog

 In 2016, the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) published IATF 16949, which replaced the popular ISO/TS 16949 used in over 62,000 facilities globally.

IATF 16949 certification is required for all automotive suppliers, and with compliance deadlines coming up, the countdown is on for companies to make the transition.

As you prepare, you’ll want to educate yourself about the new changes, assess any gaps in your process, and create an implementation plan that addresses them. Documenting compliance can be one of the biggest hurdles for companies - an area where automated audit platforms can have a big impact.

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In accordance with the new standard, IATF 16949, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) recently published a document updating its customer-specific requirements. This publication, along with similar documents from General Motors and other large automotive customers, lays out tighter requirements that are prompting automotive suppliers around the world to evaluate their existing processes and systems to ensure compliance.

Notably, the document requires suppliers to conduct an internal quality audit at least once per year, and also mandates they conduct Layered Process Audits (LPA) on all elements of manufacturing and assembly lines that produce parts for FCA. In this article, we’ll highlight some of FCA’s specific requirements, evaluate their significance and in some cases, discuss potential solutions that can help companies with compliance.

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Over the years, ISO/TS 16949 has emerged as the leading standard for quality system requirements in the automotive industry.

But now, as a result of last month’s publication from the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), the industry will have to brace for an evolved global industry standard, referred to as IATF 16949.

As organizations start thinking about compliance, there are critical insights and decisions that will need to be considered along the way. In this blog, we’ll highlight five key factors that are shaping this change, what they mean, and why your organization should start thinking about them now.

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