IATF 16949:2016 was published by IATF on October 3, 2016 and and supersedes and replaces ISO/TS 16949.
This standard is defining the requirements of a quality management system for organizations in the automotive industry.
Some points to Remember:
-Certificates to ISO/TS 16949:2009 will no longer be valid after 14th September 2018.
- After October 1, 2017 no audits (initial, surveillance, recertification or transfer) shall be conducted to ISO/TS 16949:2009

IATF 16949 Standard is a Technical Specification based on Quality Management System Standard for the organization active in Automotive Supply Chain. IATF 16949 Standard was developed by The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) (A group of world’s leading automotive manufactures). IATF 16949 standard specifies QMS requirement for automotive including common automotive quality system requirement based on ISO 9001 and customer specific requirements from the automotive sector. Latest version of Technical Specification for Audit - IATF 16949:2009 and an elaborated IATF 16949 clause defines what quality system requirements are and how important they are to implement for automotive supply chain best practices.

IATF 16949 certification includes special requirements for organisations supplying the automotive sector. These requirements supplement standard quality management systems requirements and deal with specifics for companies that produce parts or spares for automobiles. IATF 16949 certificate allows the company to be included among manufacturers and suppliers of the automotive industry where IATF 16949 certificate is routinely required. IATF 16949 Standard applicable for large, medium or small organisation in automotive OEM supply chain, and requirements are set for design, development, quality control and production for QMS in automotive OEM supply chain. IATF 16949 Clauses requires application of Automotive Core Tools, FMEA, PPAP, APQP, MSA, SQC etc. Vehicle and their component manufacturers in Automotive Supply Chain have to achieve IATF 16949 standard to maintain uniformity in the supply chain for QMS.

Automotive Production Process control tools helps in establishing IATF 16949 Standard in organizations, some are FMEA, PPAP, APQPand MSA.

TS 16949 Certification is adopted by all to implement QMS that ensures process control, defect prevention, reduce variations and system improvements, either it is OEM Automotive production or automotive supply chain but have to implement QMS requirements as per TS 16949 clauses. The TS audit is conducted by Certification body like SQM to verify TS 16949 Certification requirements in TS Audit .

Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA):
Widely used in Automotive Production, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is proactive process approach to identify possible failures in manufacture, design or assembly. Failure modes are ways where there is possible failure. A successful FMEA means an activity that helps to identify potential failure modes based on experience with similar products and processes or based on common physics of failure logic. FMEA is used in manufacture of Automotive OEM’s and their supply chain industries in various phases of the product life cycle in QMS. Effects analysis refers to studying the consequences of those failures on different system levels such as FMEA. Organizations should do a detailed study of FMEA while adopting QMS as per IATF 16949 Standard.

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP):
APQP is a tool that encourages structured form of Quality Assurance in QMS for New Automotive Product Development. APQP process helps in controlled management of Product Development and Output to have desired result at optimum cost acquired by APQP. Organizations subscribing to TS Standard require to implement APQP system to demonstrate effective QMS in Automotive production.

Production Part Approval Process (PPAP):
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) is a standardized process developed by AIAG with input of GM, Ford and Chrysler for QMS in automotive industries to help manufacturers and suppliers communicate and approve production designs and processes before, during, and after manufacture - is the way of PPAP documentation. PPAP is used in the automotive supply chain for create belief in component providers and Standard used in PPAP to formally reduce risks prior to product or service release a useful tool in effective TS Standard implementation.

IATF Recognized IATF 16949 Certification provides following Benefits:

• Increases production efficiency and reduces error rates by TS 16949 Audits
• Ensures adequate product quality for the automotive industry supply chain through QMS
• Prevents financial losses as a result of high quality of production, uses core tools APQP, FMEA, MSA, PPAP
• Enables a company to enter and remain in automotive supplier chain with effective QMS
• Creates a responsible corporate status as TS 16949 certified company