Understanding The ISO/TS 16949:2002 Standard

Compatibility With Other Business Management Systems 

0.3 Relationship with ISO 9004

The present editions of ISO 9001 and ISO 9004 have been developed as a consistent pair of quality management system standards which have been designed to complement each other, but can also be used independently. Although the two standards have different scopes, they have similar structures in order to assist their application as a consistent pair. 

ISO 9001 specifies requirements for a quality management system that can be used for internal application by organizations, or for certification, or for contractual purposes. It focuses on the effectiveness of the quality management system in meeting customer requirements. 

ISO 9004 gives guidance on a wider range of objectives of a quality management system than does ISO 9001, particularly for the continual improvement of an organization’s overall efficiency, as well as effectiveness. ISO 9004 is recommended as a guide for organizations whose top management wishes to move beyond the requirements of ISO 9001, in pursuit of continual improvement of performance. However, it is not intended for certification or for contractual purposes.  

NOTE     Knowledge and use of the eight quality management principles referred to in ISO 9000:2000 and ISO 9004:2000 should be demonstrated and cascaded through the organization by top management. 

0.3.1   IATF Guidance to ISO/TS 16949:2002 

This guidance document contains recommended automotive practices, examples, illustrations and explanations, and provides assistance in the application to conform to the requirements of TS 16949.  This IATF guidance document is not intended for certification or contractual purposes. 

Key Explanation Points and Tips: 

Þ             The difference between ISO 9001 and ISO 9004 are as follows:  

Þ       The ISO 9001 standard provides  requirements  for your QMS that can be certified by an accredited Registrar; whereas ISO 9004 provides  guidance  to improve your QMS and is not subject to Registrar certification.  

Þ       ISO 9001 focuses on improving QMS  effectiveness alone ; whereas ISO 9004 focuses on improving an organizations  overall performance and efficiency  as well as its effectiveness.  

Þ       ISO 9001 provides the  initial stepping stone  for quality management; whereas ISO 9004 takes you  further down the road towards total quality management .   

Þ       The scope of ISO 9001 focuses on requirements  intended for certification and contractual purposes;  whereas ISO 9001 provides guidance that addresses a  broader range of stakeholders  such as owners, community, personnel, suppliers, investors, etc. 

Þ             The layout, structure and numbering sequence of the requirements in the two documents are similar. ISO 9004 includes the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard in boxed tables and further discusses concepts, principles, issues and ideas for QMS development and implementation, for each clause.  

Þ             Keep in mind that ISO 9004 goes far beyond what may be required for initial ISO 9001 certification. Use it to gain knowledge and ideas, but be careful about trying to implement all that it covers, as it may be quite overwhelming if you are developing a QMS for the first time. Use ISO 9004 to continually improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your organization beyond certification. 

Þ             The  eight quality management principles  referred to in the note were covered under clause 0.1 General. 

Þ       All of the automotive examples and explanations in the IATF ISO/TS 16949:2002 guidance document have been included in my key explanation points and tips for each sub-clause.  

0.5   Goal of ISO/TS 16949:2002  

Your organization shall develop a QMS that: 

l        Provides for continual improvement  

l        Emphasizes defect prevention 

l        Reduces variation and waste in the supply chain 

l        Defines fundamental QMS requirements when coupled with customer-specific requirements 

l        Provides a common approach to a QMS for automotive and service part organizations 

l        Is intended to avoid multiple certification audits 

Key Explanation Points and Tips: 

Þ            Focus on defect prevention and continual improvement of your products, processes, QMS and customer satisfaction 

Þ            Reduce variation and waste not only in your products, but also in the processes within your organization. Encourage your suppliers to do the same. 

Þ            Analyze the business and quality risks associated with variables (such as materials, labor, equipment, methods, etc) for each process within your QMS and take systemic measures to prevent them from occurring. 

Þ            It is important to note that the TS 16949 standard does not specify requirements for product. TS 16949 provides requirements for your QMS and its processes. By effectively controlling and improving your QMS processes, there will obviously be a positive impact on product quality performance.  

Þ            Product specific requirements come from your customer; your own organization and from applicable regulatory and industry standards and codes. TS 16949 QMS requirements supplement the product specific requirements. 

Þ            By providing a common approach to automotive sector QMS requirements capable of independent 3^rd party certification, TS 16949 reduces the need for multiple OEM requirements, systems and audits, thus reducing unnecessary work and cost in the supply chain.