The Project Technologies Group - International Automotive Quality Standards Training and Consulting

ISO/TS 16949 is an ISO Technical Specification. The International Automotive Task Force (IATF), which consists of an international group of vehicle manufacturers, plus national trade associations, wrote ISO/TS 16949 in conjunction with the International Organization for Standards (ISO). This specification aligns existing American (QS-9000), German (VDA6.1), French (EAQF) and Italian (AVSQ) automotive quality systems standards within the global automotive industry.

Together with ISO 9001:1994, ISO/TS 16949 specifies the quality system requirements for the design/development, production, installation and servicing of automotive related products. In addition, there are customer specific requirements that are required by individual subscribing vehicle manufacturers.

ISO/TS 16949 does not replace the existing quality system requirements. However, along with customer specific requirements, ISO/TS 16949 has been accepted as an equivalent to QS-9000, VDA6.1, AVSQ, and EAQF. It does not replace QS-9000; it is an optional document. ISO/TS 16949 will eliminate the need for multiple certifications.

Clients who are registered to ISO/TS 16949:1999 were given until the end of 2003 to upgrade their registration to ISO/TS 16949:2002. No formal announcement has been made as to the potential transition requirement from QS-9000 to ISO/TS 16949:2002.