The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) has released IATF 16949:2016, replacing ISO/TS 16949 as the quality management system requirements for automotive production and relevant service parts organizations.
What has changed?
Unlike its predecessor, IATF 16949 is not a stand-alone standard. It is designed to be used together with ISO 9001:2015, which it supplements with automotive-specific requirements. Key themes include:
- Stronger requirements for product safety and management of safety-related parts
- Clearer expectations for supplier development and monitoring
- Greater emphasis on embedded software in automotive products
- Corporate responsibility and anti-bribery commitments
- Warranty management and problem solving
What it means for quality professionals
Quality engineers, auditors and supplier quality professionals working in the automotive supply chain will need to understand both ISO 9001:2015 and the additional IATF requirements. Core tools — such as APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA and SPC — remain central to compliance.
IAQP’s Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) certifications cover many of the competencies these requirements demand.