Understanding The ISO/TS 16949:2002 Standard

Major Clauses -  Contents of the TS 16949:2002 Standard  

0.        Introduction

1.        Scope

2.        Normative Reference

3.        Terms and Definitions

4.        Quality Management System

5.        Management Responsibility

6.        Resource Management

7.        Product Realization

8.        Measurement, Analysis and Improvement

Many, if not most of the sub-clauses within the above major clauses can be traced to the North American or European automotive standards – such as QS 9000 or Germany’s VDA 6.1.

Key Explanation Points and Tips:

The first four clauses (clause 0. Introduction to clause 3. Terms and Definitions) do not provide any requirements for a QMS. They provide background information on the purpose; concepts and principles used in the standard (e.g. process approach; PDCA); guidance on the QMS scope; reference to related documents; and key terms and definitions used.  These clauses will all be explained in more detail as we go through each section.

The remaining five clauses numbering 4 through 8 provide the quality management requirements that a QMS must implement. The following is a summary explanation of these 5 major clauses or elements of the ISO/TS 16949 standard. Each major clause has several sub-clauses. Collectively, these five clauses set out the requirements for your QMS. 

• Clause 4- Quality Management System - sets requirements to identify, plan, document, operate and control QMS processes and to continually improve QMS effectiveness.

• Clause 5- Management Responsibility - sets requirements for top management to demonstrate its leadership and commitment to develop, implement and continually improve the QMS. 

• Clause 6- Resource Management - sets requirements to determine, provide and control the various resources needed to operate and manage QMS processes; to continually improve QMS effectiveness; and to enhance customer satisfaction by meeting customer requirements 

• Clause 7- Product Realization - sets requirements to plan, operate and control the specific QMS processes that determine, design, produce and deliver an organization’s product and services.

• Clause 8- Measurement, Analysis and Improvement - sets requirements to plan, measure, analyze and improve processes that demonstrate product and QMS conformity and continually improve QMS effectiveness. 

The overall objective of your QMS must be to enhance customer satisfaction by meeting their requirements. This objective can be achieved by using the TS 16949 requirements to control your QMS processes and by continually improving QMS effectiveness. 

TS 16949:2002 requirements, structure and flow are built upon ISO 9001:2000 requirements as the foundation. To clarify this, I show the ISO clauses in regular print and the TS specific clauses in italics, both under the tan background.

The TS 16949 specific clauses may:

• Include new requirements over and above ISO 9001 requirements
• Supplement or expand on the existing ISO 9001 requirement
• Call for prescriptive ways to address ISO or TS requirements  

To help you get the most out this e-Book, you might find it useful to follow key themes that the TS 16949 standard has emphasized.  These include:

• All QMS processes must be planned, implemented, measured and improved.
• TS 16949 requirements focus on controlling QMS processes, not product.
• QMS controls must emphasize prevention of nonconformities rather than detection.
• QMS processes focus on eliminating or reducing variation and waste in processes.
• QMS processes must be customer focused. Process personnel must be aware of and strive to meet internal and external customer requirements. 
• You must continually improve the effectiveness of your QMS.