Understanding The ISO/TS 16949:2002 Standard

Particular requirements for applying ISO 9001:2000 to automotive production and relevant service part organizations

Preface

The intent of this document is to provide a clear and in-depth understanding of the intent and implication of each clause and sub-clause of the TS 16949:2002 standard. While not intended to serve as an implementation guide, this document should provide sufficient insight for a quality practitioner to develop and implement an effective TS 16949 based quality management system (QMS). 

This document may be used by: 

Beginners - to understand and apply TS 16949 requirements. 

QMS managers – to develop a more effective QMS for their organization. 

QMS auditors – to conduct more effective QMS audits. 

Top management – to gain an understanding of TS 16949 as a business tool. 

Consultants – to provide value-added service to their clients.

The specific requirements of the TS 16949:2002 standard is shown in shaded text  Within this shaded background, the ISO 9001 foundational requirements are shown in regular print and the TS 19649 additions are shown initalics.  The wording of the ISO/TS 16949 requirements are laid out in paraphrased but precise form, following the exact clause by clause numbering. 

Where ISO/TS 16949 has used the word “shall”, it indicates a mandatory requirement. The word ‘should’ indicates a recommendation and Certification Bodies (Registrars) lean towards interpreting ‘should’ as a ‘shall’ in most cases. Notes to paragraphs are for guidance in understanding or clarifying the associated requirement. However, if the note includes the word ‘should’, then you would be wise to implement the guidance or recommendation in the note. Wherever possible, I have stated the clauses in the active tense instead of the sometimes difficult to understand passive tense used in the standard. 

Below each section, clause or sub-clause of the standard, I provide key explanation points and tips to help you better understand the requirement and any underlying intent, concepts and principles. The key point or phrase in each explanatory paragraph is bolded for easy reference to the sub-clause being explained. You will find important explanatory points and tips being repeated or further elaborated in different parts of the standard. Whenever I make reference to ‘you’ or ‘your’ QMS, I mean your organization’s quality management system. 

In going through the explanatory points and tips, I request that you read each paragraph carefully and sometimes twice to fully grasp the additional interpretation or insight it may convey. By doing so, you might be able to save much time, effort and money in understanding and implementing these requirements or help make your QMS more effective.