IATF 16949 2016 Audit Checklist

IATF 16949 is an automotive quality management system standard incorporating ISO 9001 requirements, designed to streamline production processes and systems while decreasing defects and waste in supply chains.

Becoming IATF 16949 certified can bring many advantages for your business, including improved brand image and higher employee engagement levels. In this article, we’ll outline how you can prepare for an IATF audit using an IATF 16949:2016 audit checklist.

1. Defining the scope of the audit
Establishing the scope of an audit will determine how you approach conducting it and when and where it occurs, helping to optimize efficiency during its execution. Knowing its scope also enables you to prepare more effectively for an inspection visit and help make its performance smoother overall.

IATF 16949 standard defines quality management systems and provides for continuous improvement, defect prevention, variation reduction, and waste prevention within automotive supply chains and assembly processes. Adherence can lower costs while simultaneously increasing customer satisfaction – as more companies will want to do business with companies certified with IATF certification.

Being IATF-certified demonstrates your dedication to high-quality products and services, and follows all safety protocols before, during, and after production. Many customers prefer working with suppliers who hold this certification – thus expanding your customer base while building brand loyalty with customers who seek such suppliers out exclusively. Obtaining such accreditation can increase business prospects significantly!

2. Identifying the audit team
IATF 16949 is an automotive industry-specific quality management system standard derived from ISO 9001. It includes additional requirements to identify risks and opportunities as well as define corporate responsibility policies and document quality policies.

Companies manufacturing automobile parts and assemblies must achieve IATF 16949 certification to maintain their credibility within the industry and attract potential partners. Achieving certification proves that all necessary safety procedures have been followed before, during, and after production; this helps businesses keep up their good name while building partnerships in this competitive business sector.

To ensure that an audit runs efficiently, it is crucial to identify all members of the audit team. A written plan should outline how this team will be led and overseen as well as outlining each team member’s responsibilities within it.

3. Identifying the audit resources
IATF 16949 quality management system standards apply specifically to the automotive industry and were created by the International Automotive Task Force as an adaptation of ISO 9001. Adherence to these standards may provide many benefits for your company such as increased credibility, increased customer satisfaction and reduced waste production.

Recognizing, assessing and responding to risks of material misstatement are integral parts of any audit, yet a recent survey found that many risk assessments don’t comply with IATF 16949 audit requirements. Here are resources designed to assist with improving your risk evaluation process and meet compliance with its audit requirements.

IATF 16949 includes many additional requirements than its predecessor, ISO/TS 16949. Notably, it requires more detailed documentation and qualifications for internal auditors; additionally it calls for risk-based internal auditing as well as monitoring and measurement requirements to be met by organizations; IATF 16949 also mandates taking into account stakeholders other than customers such as shareholders and employees whereas ISO/TS 16949 only addressed them directly.

4. Identifying the audit schedule
Establishing the audit schedule is one of the core components of planning an IATF 16949 audit. This plan includes which departments and areas will be audited as well as when and where it will take place, depending on its complexity. Furthermore, depending on its details it could include specific documents or evidence that must be reviewed during an audit.

The revised standard requires leaders in quality management to demonstrate high levels of accountability for the effectiveness of the quality system, corporate social responsibility issues and identification of risks and opportunities.

Utilizing an audit checklist can assist your preparations for IATF certification and help streamline business operations, while better understanding the differences between IATF 16949 and ISO/TS 16949 certifications. Furthermore, using such a list can document audit observations with your quality team or customers as well as implement corrective actions and speed up certification timeframes.