QUALITY ASSURANCE AGREEMENT
AUTOMOTIVE – EXTERNAL SERVICES
1. Preamble
This quality assurance agreement (QAA) defines the quality control requirements of REHAU suppliers and regulates the specific
guidelines for ensuring the quality of external service providers in the automotive sector. By way of applying the zero-fault principle
to the suppliy chain, the fundamental interfaces, specifications, resulting tasks as well as reflection of standards, laws and end
customers’ requirements are stipulated.
Case-specific changes or additions to the REHAU QAA are possible on agreement between REHAU and the Supplier.
Unless indicated otherwise, the Supplier is responsible for ensuring the relevant norms and guidelines are up-to-date. REHAU must
be informed immediately if changes become known.
Lasting commercial success and sustainable customer orientation can only be achieved through effective cooperation and communication between REHAU and its suppliers.
2. Quality Management System
The Supplier undertakes to maintain a certified quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001 and to consider the requirements of ISO / TS 16949 in their relevant valid version.
The Supplier informs REHAU without delay of non-compliance or loss of the ISO 9001 certificate.
In the event of mergers, acquisitions or affiliations and similar activities that might affect the structure of the company or its organisations / plants, the Supplier shall verify the QM system and inform REHAU without delay of the circumstances and the result of the
verification.
3. Auditing / Assessment of the QM System
The Supplier shall allow REHAU to carry out audits. REHAU reserves the right to carry out audits even in cases where certification
has already been obtained from third parties. The Supplier provides all necessary documentation / data and allows access to all
areas that are relevant to REHAU.
Audit procedures and evaluation shall preferably be based on VDA specifications (e.g. process audit VDA 6.3) in connection with
ISO / TS 16949. If required, improvement measures will be agreed with the Supplier, indicating the responsibilities and the dates by
which completion is required. The effectiveness of the corrective measures may be monitored in a follow-up audit.
4. Supplier Evaluation / Target Agreements
The Supplier is obligated to deliver fault-free products and services (target: zero-fault). If no specific targets are agreed (e.g. in
technical delivery specifications purchasing TDS, framework contract, agreements for ramp-up management) the target is understood to be zero ppm.
A specific agreement relating to ppm values does not imply a quality level that is accepted by REHAU. The agreement on quality
targets and measures does not limit the Supplier’s liability for warranty claims and claims for damages by the customer as a result of
defective deliveries. Defective deliveries / services will not be accepted by REHAU and will be charged to the Supplier.
Ongoing Supplier performance is one of the factors considered in the REHAU supplier evaluation process. When placing and extending orders, REHAU will give preference to suppliers that are assessed as efficient under the REHAU supplier evaluation
scheme.
If quality targets have been agreed between REHAU and the Supplier (ppm targets for instance), then escalation shall ensue in
case that targets are not met. In this case the Supplier is obligated to present REHAU with an action plan setting out corrective
measures for stabilising the supply and for sustainable improvement of performance, and is also to agree further steps with REHAU.
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QUALITY ASSURANCE AGREEMENT
AUTOMOTIVE – EXTERNAL SERVICES
5. Transfer of Services to Third Parties / Sub-contractor Management
Where services are transferred to third parties, the Supplier is obligated to transfer the quality assurance stipulations in adequate
form to the sub-contractor and to satisfy himself verifiably of compliance with the stipulations. This includes providing REHAU with a
supplier list, conveying customer-specific requirements, continuous traceability of data and documentation as well as other specifications the Supplier deems necessary to convey.
If required REHAU may, in agreement with the Supplier, view the assessment documentation of sub-contractors and audit subcontractors (if applicable together with the end customer).
If the Supplier intends to change sub-contractors he must notify REHAU of this in good time in order to agree the required sampling
and release processes.
6. Sustainability, Environment and Safety
The Supplier ensures compliance with all the relevant statutory regulations relating to industrial safety and environmental protection
during the production and handling of the products / services to be supplied. This applies to required materials, machinery, equipment, workplaces, warehouse organisation and transport service.
Responsible handling of natural resources must also be ensured. Health-promoting measures in the workplace are to be supported.
7. Quality inspections / Measurement, Analysis and Improvement / Documentation
The Supplier is obligated to record the quality assessments required for the implementation of and the compliance with the agreed
specification in agreed formats and to verifiably safeguard it by means of suitable documentation / data control (e.g. inspection
plan, inspection protocols).
Upon request the supplier shall provide inspection plans and used statistical methods such as capability analysis to REHAU and
shall agree these with REHAU if necessary (see as well “sampling procedure”).
REHAU can stipulate the scope of inspections (characteristics, number of random samples, capability limit values etc.). If no requirements are stipulated, the Supplier defines in agreement with REHAU suitable inspections (e.g. special product- and processcharacteristics) on its own responsibility.
The supplier assigns test results to production / lots and ensures their corresponding archiving. This also applies to any test certificates that may be supplied by sub-suppliers.
Upon request (e.g. due to complaints, audit, certification) documents are to be submitted to REHAU without delay.
Unless 100% inspection is expressly stipulated, statistical methods must be used for quality assurance. Adequate and suitable
random sampling plans based on e.g. DIN/ISO 2859 and/or DIN/ISO 3951 are to be applied to the entire production process.
If requested, the Supplier is to inform REHAU about the inspection plans / statistical methods used and discuss and agree them
with REHAU if necessary (also see “Process acceptance” a.o.).
The entire process is to be monitored. This includes goods inwards inspection at least with regard to shipping documents and obvious defects as well as appropriate goods outwards inspection a.o.
With its own quality planning the Supplier ensures that exclusively fault-free parts / components are processed further.
If required, the Supplier agrees specifications and needed auxiliary material (e.g. limit samples, gauges) with REHAU.
If REHAU does not specify any special characteristics requiring statistical process control and associated capability limit values (e.g.
in drawings, appendices to the contract), the Supplier shall be, in line with its quality planning, responsible for selection and assessment of special and for the intended use essential product and process parameters.
The Supplier is responsible for ensuring suitable archiving and traceability of the relevant documentation (production and quality
records). The basic filing period is at least 5 years.
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QUALITY ASSURANCE AGREEMENT
AUTOMOTIVE – EXTERNAL SERVICES
In the case of products with a REHAU risk classification (in accordance with the TDS), the minimum filing period is 15 years after
the last order by REHAU.
Upon request REHAU is to be permitted to inspect the relevant documentation. REHAU reserves the right to verify the here stipulated requirements on-site at the Supplier.
8. Process Acceptance / Sampling
The formal sampling process serves for technical verification of degrees of readiness and as proof of suitability for bought-in products / provided services.
Before the start of serial delivery, initial samples based on the product and process specifications must be submitted to REHAU.
The process acceptance / sampling is based on the specifications of VDA (compare VDA 2, VDA 6.3) or PPAP process. Any alternative sampling processes / acceptance processes or changes to the sampling procedure will be announced by REHAU and agreed
between REHAU and the Supplier.
Containers / packaging units and the associated labelling needed for proper delivery, processing and traceability shall be proposed
to REHAU by the Supplier if not specifically stipulated by REHAU.
Agreements on and approval of product and packaging labelling takes place during the quality planning and sampling process.
Further the Supplier agrees to perform a “layout-inspection and functional testing” / requalification test at regular intervals, annually
unless specified otherwise in the TDS.
The result of the requalification test will be communicated by the Supplier to REHAU in the same way as initial samples.
Every type of change made to components, manufacturing process or manufacturing place which might affect the agreed specification or the product quality is to be communicated with a sampling process. The execution and scope of new sampling is to be
agreed with REHAU at an early stage.
Upon REHAU´s request the Supplier shall provide evidence proofing test / inspection planning documents to REHAU on a case-bycase basis.
Serial delivery may only take place once approval has been issued by REHAU in writing.
9. Product Preservation, traceability, packaging
The Supplier is responsible for suitable handling and storage. Within the whole process the Supplier must protect the products from
influences decreasing the quality, in particular damage.
Storage of all products outdoors is not permitted.
Product and container coding requirements, including labelling, are detailed in specifications (e.g. drawing, TDS).
If the Supplier considers that further information is needed for the purposes of tracing or isolating possible defective production
batches and delivery lots, this must be agreed with REHAU.
Any changes the Supplier plans to make to the agreed specifications require consultation with and approval of REHAU at an early
stage (see process acceptance / sampling).
10. Goods-inwards Inspections at REHAU and Customers
The Supplier is liable to provide REHAU with defect-free deliveries. REHAU and the joint customer therefore strive to minimize
goods-inwards inspection. Unless agreed otherwise, REHAU / customer goods-inwards inspections are designed merely to check
identity and quantity as well as to identify any obvious transport or packaging defects. REHAU / the customer have no obligation to
carry out more detailed inspections.
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QUALITY ASSURANCE AGREEMENT
AUTOMOTIVE – EXTERNAL SERVICES
The results of goods-inwards inspections and service performance at REHAU / customer premises are factored into the REHAU
supplier evaluation process (see above).
11. Quality Deviations
If the Supplier notices any quality deviations in products / services or suspects any quality deviations in products / services that
have already been delivered / supplied, REHAU must be informed immediately and further actions will be agreed between the Supplier and REHAU in order to minimise potential consequential losses.
12. Complaints
If REHAU makes a complaint about products delivered / services provided, the Supplier shall provide REHAU with an initial written
response without delay, at the latest within 24 hours following the notification by REHAU. The Supplier shall provide REHAU with a
written interim report at the latest after three working days in the form of an 8D report.
Unless agreed otherwise in particular cases, the Supplier provides a supplemental / final 8D report to REHAU latest two weeks
following receipt of the complaint.
In case of deadlines for written responses not being met by the Supplier, REHAU reserves the right to undertake immediate actions
(e.g. sorting or return of complained goods) even without the explicit agreement of the Supplier in order to minimise potential subsequent losses (e.g. line stoppage / production interruption at the OEM or REHAU).
The Supplier assesses the effectiveness of the corrective measures in order to avoid the possibility of repeat complaints and provides REHAU with a formal final report for 8D processing. In individual cases REHAU reserves the right to verify the effectiveness of
the communicated corrective measures on-site at the Supplier.
13. Quality Level
If delivery performance, quality level or doubts concerning the Supplier’s quality assurance measures result in extra costs to REHAU
in the form of goods inwards inspections, further processing and market service, these costs can be charged to the Supplier, once
the Supplier has been notified of this and has been given opportunity to respond.
If an end customer (OEM) in the automotive industry revokes a quality commendation or official supplier status, in accordance with
the OEM’s directives, the Supplier is obliged to inform REHAU of this without delay (e.g. Ford Q1 revoked / Daimler Q-Help 3).
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