Understanding The ISO/TS 16949:2002 Standard 

3    TERMS AND DEFINITIONS  

Terms and Definitions 

l        New “supply chain” terms:  

supplier ® organization ® customer  

l        Use of “product” can also mean “service” 

3.1      Terms and Definitions for the automotive industry 

For the purposes of this Standard the terms and definitions given in ISO 9000:2000 and the following apply: 

3.1.1   Control plan  

documented description of the systems and processes required for controlling product (see annex A for an example of a Control Plan). (See clause 7.5.1.1 and 7.3.6.2) 

3.1.2   Design responsible organization 

organization with authority to establish a new, or change an existing product specification. (See clause 7.3)  

NOTE   This responsibility includes testing and verification of design performance within the customer’s specified application. 

3.1.3   Error proofing 

product and manufacturing process design and development to prevent manufacture of non-conforming products.(See clause 7.3.3.1 and 7.3.3.2) 

3.1.4   Laboratory 

facility for inspection, test or calibration that may include, but is not limited to, chemical, metallurgical, dimensional, physical, electrical or reliability testing. 

3.1.5   Laboratory scope 

controlled document containing the following: 

o      specific tests, evaluations and calibrations that a laboratory is qualified to perform, 

o      list of the equipment which it uses to perform the above, 

o      list of methods and standards to which it performs the above. 

3.1.6   Manufacturing 

process of making or fabricating : 

o    production materials, 

o    production or service parts, 

o    assemblies, or 

o    heat treating, welding, painting, plating or other finishing services. 

3.1.7   Predictive maintenance 

activities based on process data aimed at the avoidance of maintenance problems by prediction of likely failure modes. 

3.1.8   Preventive maintenance  

planned action to eliminate causes of equipment failure and unscheduled interruptions to production, as an output of the manufacturing process design. 

3.1.9   Premium freight  

extra costs or charges incurred additional to contracted delivery. 

NOTE Caused by method, quantity, unscheduled or late deliveries. 

3.1.10 Remote location  

location that supports sites and at which non-production processes occur. 

3.1.11 Site 

location at which value-added manufacturing processes occur 

3.1.12 Special characteristic  

product characteristic or manufacturing process parameter which may affect safety or compliance with regulations, fit, function, performance or subsequent processing of product. 

Key Explanation Points and Tips: 

Þ      A supplier is an organization that supplies your organization with product or services, e.g., a distributor, retailer or vendor.  A supplier can be internal or external to your organization.  

Þ      In this standard, wherever the term ‘organization’ is used, it refers to your facility and includes the people and resources with associated responsibilities, authorities and relationships.  

Þ      Customer refers to a person or organization to whom you provide product and services. A customer can be internal or external to your organization.  

Þ      Product is used in a broader context and includes service.  

Þ      The definition of manufacturing under TS 16949 includes OEM assembly centers 

Þ      The definition of manufacturing under TS does not include: 

Þ      The manufacture of tooling, jigs, fixtures, molds, equipment used for automotive part manufacture or assembly. 

Þ      The manufacture of non-OEM aftermarket service parts 

Þ      Distributers, warehousers, sequencers, etc, of automotive product 

Þ      Remanufactured parts 

Þ      Laboratories testing product or calibrating test/inspection equipment 

Þ      Accordingly, all such product that does not fall within the TS definition of “manufacture” would not be required to get TS 16949 certification. More likely, the OEM’s or automotive customer may require certification to ISO 9001:2000, ISO 17025 or other alternate standard. Also see notes under clause 1.1 General. 

Þ      Most of these definitions relate to specific clauses within TS 16949 that call for detailed requirements to be met and so will be discussed when we cover the requirement.