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ISO/TS 16949:2002 Home

Understanding TS

ISO/TS 16949:2002 is the global automotive replacement for QS-9000.  Some tier 1 suppliers are already demanding that their suppliers (Tier 2 etc.) register to TS.  Ask your customer if you are unsure if you need to register. 

Some QS-9000 registered companies find that their customers are happy if they register to ISO 9001:2000 and drop their QS.

Midwest is proud to have supported the first ISO/TS 16949:2002 audit in the Americas, which was an IAOB witnessed audit.  We learned directly from the source!  Our client is happily TS registered.

 

ISO/TS 16949:2002 is available from the AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group), but is more than the text between the covers.  These other documents apply and can be used by your registrar to audit you and write findings, or as a part of your system to defend your approach:
  1. Your customer's specific requirements (Big 3)
  2. IAOB Sanctioned interpretations 
  3. IAOB FAQ (that's right, auditors can refer to the Frequently Asked Questions FAQ)
  4. IATF Guidance to ISO/TS 16949:2002 3/02
  5. Quality Systems Assessment Checklist (AIAG)
  6. AIAG APQP, PPAP, MSA, SPC, FMEA manuals (get the 7 pack, a bit cheaper)

There is also a new (6/03) ISO/TS 16949:2002 Implementation Guide, but we have not seen reference to that document in audits, so far.

See Understanding for more detail about this standard.

Registering to ISO/TS 16949:2002 or transitioning from QS-9000 involves the following activities (in our opinion):
  • Understand the words of the TS Standard and related documents
  • Prepare your basic documents; manual and required procedures
  • Hold a manager’s workshop to see how you can make $$ with TS
  • Provide required Internal Quality Auditor training
  • Professionally Supervised Rough Cut and Fine Cut Audits
  • Continued support with Surveillance Audits each 6 months
  • Professional Consultation and direct assistance with whatever you need
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    What is an ISO/TS Technical Specification 

    A normative document representing the technical consensus within an ISO committee

    The way it is done

    a) A TC/SC may decide that a particular work item should result in publication of a technical specification. Normally this decision should be agreed at the outset, i.e. simultaneously with approval of the NP. The text is developed through the preparatory and committee stages at the end of which the text shall be submitted for a three month vote by the P-members of the committee to approve publication of the document as a technical specification. Acceptance of the document requires approval by 2/3 of the P-members. If the acceptance criterion is satisfied the document shall be sent to the Central Secretariat for publication as an ISO/TS.

    b) In cases in which a committee had decided to produce an International Standard, but subsequently discovered that there was insufficient support for the publication of a standard, the committee may agree, by the above process, to publish the document as a technical specification.

    c) Any P-member or category A or D-liaison organization of a committee may propose that an existing document be considered for adoption as a technical specification. The process for approval is as described in a). NB: A-type liaison: participation by an organization in a TC or SC which can make an effective contribution to the work of the committee. D-type liaison: participation at the working group level only or contribution to a specific project

    NOTES

    1. As defined above, technical specifications essentially replace the existing type 1 and type 2 technical reports. (As described later, this latter type of publication is retained for purely informative documents – formerly, type 3 technical reports.)

    2. Technical specifications may be processed in one language only.

    3. Competing technical specifications offering different technical solutions are possible provided that they do not conflict with existing International Standards. (A TC/SC may decide to revise an ISO standard to allow conflicting technical specifications.)

    4. Technical specifications shall be reviewed at least every three years to decide either to confirm the technical specification for a further three years, revise the technical specification, process it further to become an International Standard or withdraw the technical specification. After six years, a technical specification shall either be converted into an International Standard or be withdrawn.

    5. ISO member bodies may adopt technical specifications and publish them as documents having the same level of authority as the ISO/TS.

    From the official ISO website. 

     

     
     
     
     

    For More Information Contact: tony@midwestquality.com or 800 464-9008 

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