Abstract

TS 16949 is an international fundamental quality management system specification for the automotive industry based on ISO 9000. It was developed at the request of automotive suppliers from the Big Three automakers' quality system assessment manuals, QS-9000 and the need to harmonize with ISO 9000. The current edition of TS 16949 is similar in content to the initial edition but uses the ISO 9001:2000 standard that requires the organization to identify the processes needed for the system and to determine the sequence and interaction of these processes. This requirement calls for internal and third part audit as well as having products and processes meet customer requirements. Organizations that have been fully compliant to QS-9000 or the first edition of TS 16949 should be able to upgrade in a surveillance audit. As long as the standard is ISO based, the five-year revision cycle will provide stability to supplier quality requirements.