OPS-552F Supplier Quality Policy
Supplier Quality Policy
1.
Scope
This policy defines the minimum mandatory quality requirements for all Valens
suppliers of product or services.
Valens automotive suppliers are required to comply with a list of additional requirements, as partially defined in the MBN-10527 standard.
2.
Expectations
Perfect parts, on time, at the right cost, and produced safely.
Valens defines specific KPIs for vendors, based on the product/project requirements.
Our minimum requirements are:
3.

100% On Time Delivery (OTD)

Defect parts per million (DPPM) – striving to zero.
For commercial projects <100 PPM
For automotive projects < 1 PPM
Quality system
3.1 QMS level of certification:
The supplier shall maintain a quality system that is certified to ISO 9001 at least.
External laboratories (calibration or testing services) shall be certified to ISO 17025.
3.2 Special requirements for automotive suppliers:
4.

Automotive manufacturing suppliers shall be certified to ISO TS 16949

Automotive suppliers shall comply with the requirements of the MBN-10527
automotive semiconductor standard (to be provided by Daimler in September
2015)

Automotive manufacturing suppliers are expected to successfully pass an
on-site audit (VDA 6.3 or equivalent) conducted by Valens, or by Valens’ OEM
customer

Deliverable software suppliers shall establish and maintain a Quality
Management System (QMS) that complies with Automotive Spice Level 3 at
least.

Commercial-Off-The-Shelf suppliers (COTS) shall establish a QMS in compliance
with ISO 9001, or its equivalent.
EHS
Valens encourages Environmental, Health and Safety systems that comply with
ISO14001 and OHSAS18001. At a minimum they must comply with the EICC Code of
Conduct.
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OPS-552F Supplier Quality Policy
5.
Sub tier suppliers
Suppliers shall ensure their sub-tier suppliers comply with all Valens purchase order
and specification requirements.
6.
Product development
Advanced quality planning methods shall be used for product development and
product transitions (including sub-tier suppliers) and shall comply with the Advanced
Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Control Plan manual published by the AIAG or
VDA.
7.
Product quality
Suppliers shall use suitable methods and tools to ensure that provided products meet
Valens’ functional, reliability, safety and quality requirements.
For automotive projects: The Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) should serve as
the basis for validating that all requirements are met and the process is capable of
producing product consistently. As a default VDA volume 2, level 2 submission is
required.
8.
Production release
Valens will identify specific part PPAP requirements. A Parts Warrant (PSW) must be
submitted and approved by Valens prior to the release of production products.
9.
Product & process changes
Change shall be managed to prevent interruptions and quality problems. Valens must
be notified of changes in advance and must approve changes prior to implementation.
10.
Training
Supplier employees shall be properly trained and be product/process-knowledgeable.
11.
Defective product
Suppliers shall notify Valens within 24 hours if defective product has been delivered,
and should implement containment immediately.
Any product non-conformance shall be managed using 8D / 5Why methodology.
Corrective action response is required within 5 business days, and final corrective
action response is required within 30 days.
12.
Cost of poor quality
Direct costs incurred by Valens as a result of a supplier’s defective product will be the
responsibility of the supplier.
13.
Epidemic quality problem
Epidemic quality problems indicating a failure of the quality system shall require a
Valens-approved third-party to be retained at the supplier’s expense to inspect the
product, assess the quality system, and recommend a quality improvement plan to be
implemented by the supplier.
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OPS-552F Supplier Quality Policy
14.
Capacity
Manufacturers shall make commercially reasonable efforts to devote adequate
manufacturing capacity to manufacturing and supplying products in accordance with
the provisions of confirmed purchase orders/delivery agreements.
15.
Deviations to Requirements
Any exceptions to this Supplier Quality Policy require prior approval by the Valens
director of Operations and Quality.
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Date: 03/12/2015