Product Audit (VDA 6.5)
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1. Focus of Product Audits
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Purpose
The Purpose of the product audit is:
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Identification of potential improvements
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Play the role of the customer on the final product
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Include customer relevant requirements (e.g. feedback from the field)
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Proof of reliability requirements
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Proof of product functionality
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Proof of packaging and labeling
Evaluation of product quality to internal and external quality requirements
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Documentation of audit results
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Targets
The Product audit evaluates the conformity of the product from the customer perspective
Evaluation of:
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Specific product characteristics (e.g. BOM conformity, dimensions, material, functionality, reliability,
packaging, labeling)
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Customer requirements to a specific product condition (e.g. packed, new, used)
Steps of a Product audit:
Audit Program
Audit Plan
Audit Execution
Reporting
Correctional Measures
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2. Product Audit Program
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Audit program
The audit program contains all activities necessary for the:
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Planning
Organization
Execution
of an efficient and effective product audit in a specified time frame, including the provision of employees and
inspection resources.
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Inspection Focus
The focus of the inspection of the audit program contains:
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Customer requirements of specifications (e.g. dimensions, requalification test according to ISO/TS 16949)
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Customer expectations to the product, that are impacting the customer satisfaction, as evaluated within the
company
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Complaints of internal and external customers (e.g. warranty)
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Internal specifications
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Results of FMEAs
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Results of customer satisfaction inquiries
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Fulfillment of legal requirements (e.g. CoP [Conformity of Production] tests)
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Strategic significance
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Product Audit Program - Example
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Decision matrix: Which Product has to be audited with what focus?
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3. Inspection Criteria of a Product Audit
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Inspection Criteria
Product inspection criteria using a sufficient sample size and suitable measurement equipment:
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Material
Dimensions
Visual criteria, odor and haptic
Functionality
Robustness
Packaging
Corrosion resistance
Behavior under temperature changes
Inspections are performed by using technical drawings, customer requirement profile, shipment agreement,
production control plan, inspection specifications, FMEAs and legal requirements
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Execution of a Product Audit
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4. Countermeasures in case of non-conformity
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Procedure in case of non-conformity
Non-conformities can be evaluated by different perspectives:
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Customer (including categorization: customer relevance, limited customer relevance
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Technical (deviations from technical requirements, e.g. drawings)
Initiate immediate countermeasures (according to standard procedures) including a prioritization of main nonconformities (e.g. A, B, C categories) in the case of non-conformities and deviations in requirements
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