Rules for Achieving and Maintaining IATF Recognition 4th Edition
Sanctioned Interpretations
The Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition 4th Edition for ISO/TS 16949 (“Rules 4th Edition”) was
published in October 2013 and is effective since 1 April 2014. The following Sanctioned Interpretations were
determined and approved by the IATF. Unless otherwise indicated, Sanctioned Interpretations are applicable upon
publication.
Revised text is shown in blue. A Sanctioned Interpretation changes the interpretation of a rule or a requirement
which itself then becomes the basis for a nonconformity. New SI13 issued October 2015 effective 1st April 2016.
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Rules reference
Sanctioned Interpretation
ISO/TS 16949 defines the quality management system requirements for a client providing design and
development, production and, when relevant, assembly, installation, and services (see the definition
of “Manufacturing” below for the list of services) of automotive-related products.
“Client” shall be understood as the entire entity (including all related manufacturing sites and
remote supporting locations) applying for ISO/TS 16949 certification.
13.
Eligibility for
certification to
ISO/TS 16949
1.0
ISO/TS 16949 is applicable to all sites of a client where customer-specified production parts and/or
service parts are manufactured.
“Customer-specified production parts” shall be understood as parts that are an integral
part of a vehicle. The only customer-specified parts that do not meet this requirement but are
to be included are the following: fire extinguisher, car jacks, and floor mats, owner’s manual
(SI #1 – April 2014) and warning triangles (SI #1 revised, April 2015).
“Site” shall be understood as the location at which value-added manufacturing processes
occur (see ISO/TS 16949, section 3.1). A site may also include more than one (1) address
(see Annex 4). Fabless sites are not eligible for ISO/TS 16949 certification (see section 10.0).
“Manufacturing” shall be understood as “the process of making or fabricating production
Rules for Achieving IATF Recognition 4th Edition Sanctioned Interpretation; Page 1 of 4
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Rules reference
Sanctioned Interpretation
materials, production of service parts, assemblies, or heat treating, welding, painting, plating,
or other finishing services of automotive-related parts” (see ISO/TS 16949, section 3.1.6).
“Service parts” shall be understood as replacement parts manufactured to OEM
specifications that are procured or released by the OEM for service-part applications including
remanufactured parts.
Rationale: To allow a site to be defined as a location where value-added manufacturing occurs at
more than one address.
Each audit plan shall:
a) – g) …
13 ctd
Audit plan
5.7.2
h) identify the date and time when each site will be audited and, if needed, identify the amount of
time required to transfer between sites at different addresses.
Rationale: Require the CB auditor to identify how much time is required to transfer between the
site(s). This ensures it is clear to everyone that the transit time is not considered part of the normal
working day.
Each onsite audit (stage 2, surveillance, recertification, and transfer) shall include the assessing and
evaluating of at least the following:
a) – q) …,
13 ctd
Conducting onsite
audit activities
5.8
r) the criteria for the selected certification structure continues to meet the requirements in Rules
Annex 4.
Rationale: Require the CB auditor to ensure the client’s business structure continues to meet the
criteria identified in Annex 4.
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The final audit report shall be based on relevant guidance provided in ISO 17021 and contain the
following information:
a) …,
b) total number of employees on site, including permanent, part time, contract, the average
13 ctd
Writing the audit
report
5.10
number of daily workers, and temporary employees. For a single site with an extended site
certificate structure, the total number of employees at each site shall be identified separately,
c) – n) ...
o) for a single site with an extended site certificate structure, the report shall include the
complete address of all sites, including the identification of the main manufacturing site
and the complete scope of certification covering all sites. The report shall include the
justification for the single site with extended site certification structure and validation of
current conditions (see section 5.8 r).
Rationale: Require the CB auditor to provide a written paragraph on how the client’s current
business structure continues to meet the multiple site certification structure.
A certificate shall be issued after a positive certification decision is made. The content of the
certificate shall:
a) – e) …,
f)
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Certification and
certificate issuance
5.13
list on the front page the name of the company organization being certified and their complete
address. For a main site with extended site certification structure, the main manufacturing site
shall be listed first on the front page of the certificate followed by the name and complete
address of each additional extended manufacturing site. If the additional extended
manufacturing site(s) do not fit on the front page of the certificate, the certification body may
move them to page 2 of the certificate and make a cross reference to them on the front page
of the certificate. A postal box (P.O.) as the address is not permitted. Multiple names for a
single site are permitted,
g) – o) …
Rationale: Provide guidance on how to display the multiple manufacturing sites on the paper
certificate.
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The certification body shall require an authorized representative of the applicant client to provide the
necessary information to enable the certification body to establish a complete quotation based on the
following:
a) the desired scope of the certification,
b) the desired certification structure (see section 10.0 and Annex 4), including general features of
13 ctd
Application for
ISO/TS 16949
certification
6.1
the applicant client such as including its name, and the address of the site, address(es) of any
additional extended manufacturing sites, transit time between main site and additional
extended manufacturing sites and all associated remote support location(s). Significant
aspects of the applicant client’s legal structure, process map, quality manual, products and
manufacturing operations between the sites shall be understood, its process and operations,
and any relevant legal obligations,
c) – h) …
Based on the information provided by the applicant client, the certification body shall determine if the
desired scope of certification meets the applicability requirements for ISO/TS 16949 (see section 1.0)
and if the desired certificate structure meets the requirements in Annex 4.
The certification body shall maintain documentation demonstrating that the requirements in this
section are met.
Rationale: To provide more information from the applicant client so the CB can make an informed
decision about the appropriate certificate structure. This supports the changes in Rules 1.0, Annex 4
and definition in Rules 10.0.
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Terms and
Definitions
10.0
(new definition)
“Certification structure” shall be understood as a way to describe how the certification activities will
be structured and managed by the contracted certification body. The defined structure will assist the
certification body with the development of a robust and conforming audit program. The certification
structure shall either be: 1) a single manufacturing site, 2) a single manufacturing site with extended
manufacturing site(s), or 3) a corporate audit scheme (see Annex 4).
Rationale: To support the changes in Rules 1.0 and Annex 4.
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New Annex 4
Created to support the implementation of Single Site with Extended Site Certification
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