The quality management standard that the automotive supply chain requires — from tier one suppliers to component manufacturers.
ISO/TS 16949 defines quality management system requirements specific to the automotive industry. Built on ISO 9001, it adds automotive-specific requirements for product development, production part approval, and continuous improvement.
Book a Gap AssessmentThe scope of ISO/TS 16949:2002
- Advanced product quality planning (APQP)Implement the structured product development methodology that automotive customers require — from design FMEA through production validation.
- Production part approval process (PPAP)Build the PPAP submission process that demonstrates production processes are capable of producing parts meeting customer requirements.
- Measurement system analysis (MSA)Implement statistical analysis of measurement systems to verify that inspection and test equipment produces reliable, repeatable results.
- Statistical process control (SPC)Apply SPC to manufacturing processes to monitor variation, detect anomalies early, and maintain process capability within required limits.
The business case
Every major automotive manufacturer requires ISO/TS 16949 or IATF 16949 certification from their supply chain — without it, you cannot compete for automotive contracts.
Automotive customers require evidence that your processes are consistently capable of producing conforming parts. Certification provides that evidence.
Automotive customers conduct rigorous supplier audits. Certification reduces the frequency of these audits by demonstrating an approved quality management system.
APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, and SPC are not just automotive requirements — they are manufacturing excellence tools that improve quality in any high-volume production environment.
The certification journey
Most firms hand you a document pack and leave. We stay with you from gap assessment through certification — and beyond.
We audit your current operations against the standard's requirements and show you exactly where you stand.
We build your management system — policies, procedures, process maps — tailored to how your business actually works.
We work alongside your team on the ground to embed the system into daily operations and train your people to own it.
We run a full internal audit cycle, close any gaps, and make sure you're ready before the certification body arrives.
We support you through the certification audit — and stay available for surveillance prep and continuous improvement after.
Ready to get certified?
Book a gap assessment and we'll show you exactly what it takes.
Book a Gap Assessment