IATF 16949 Rules: the main changes in the 6th edition

At the end of March 2024, the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) published the 6th edition of the IATF 16949 rules, which will be implemented on January 1st, 2025. The new edition of the Rules for Achieving and Maintaining Vehicle Recognition IATF is going to replace the 5th edition, currently in effect.

The IATF rules provide the minimum requirements required to achieve and maintain the organization's certification. These include IATF 16949 automotive quality management system requirements, which is the popular standard for companies to reduce failures and waste in the automotive sector.

Although the IATF rules impact certification organizations responsible for audits related to IATF 16949, certified companies also need to be aware of these changes in requirements, as these rules will also affect future audits, whether in obtaining or maintaining certification.

Primarily, the alterations were introduced to improve the certification process, audit procedures, and the efficiency of certification organizations. For this to happen, it will be necessary to make a transition from the 5th to the 6 th edition by January 1st, 2025, giving companies only a little more than five months for the transition process.

The document provides the criteria for the recognition of the certification organization, audit process carried out by the organization, auditor qualifications, and IATF 16949 certificates. Most importantly, these rules are constantly updated, as is the case right now with this 6th edition of the IATF 16949 rules.

Available in several languages, the IATF 16949 rules feature sanctioned interpretations (SIs) that alter previously published requirements, offering a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section to clarify the changes.

However, whether a company already certified or seeking certification, it is vital to stay up to date on recent communications issued by the IATF that may announce new SIs or additional FAQs to better understand the rules.

Benefits of IATF 16949 certification:

• Optimize the quality of products and processes in the automotive industry
• Obtain global recognition for products
• Provide greater peace of mind to customers
• Rationally use available resources, including keeping them available for other quality initiatives
• Provide satisfactory documentation about the company's level of quality and performance

The IATF 16949 rules were first published in 1999, at that time as ISO/TS 16949, which was replaced in 2016 by IATF 16949:2016. Since its first publication, it became the main set of technical standards used to improve quality management systems, as well as reduce defects and waste in the automotive industry.

The main changes to the 6th edition rules are:

Redefinition of the extended manufacturing location (EMS)

This change defines that the manufacturing location was updated and now EMS sites must be within 10 miles (16 kilometers) and a 60-minute drive from the main location. Sites that do not meet this criteria will be reclassified.

Audit and monitoring intervals

The 6th edition of the IATF 16949 rules also changed supervisory audit intervals, limiting visits to just two in each 3-year audit cycle. Previous intervals, which ranged from semi-annual to 9-month audit cycle visits, will no longer be permitted after January 2025, and with companies required to transition to 12-month contracts.

Audit Duration

The duration of the audit will begin to include an additional period for non-conformity verification activities, translation, and investigation of significant alterations. Each regular visit will require a minimum of 1.5 days at the main manufacturing facilities, with at least 30% of the audit time dedicated to the manufacturing process of the organization that wishes to maintain or achieve certification.

Non-conformity management

More rigorous deadlines were included in the 6th edition of the IATF 16949 rules to deal with nonconformities. The most complex nonconformities must present corrective actions within 15 days, which must be completed within 60 days. Less complex nonconformities must have corrective actions submitted within 60 days. Failure to meet these deadlines will invalidate the visit, causing the certification to be revoked.

Virtual audits

The possibility of carrying out virtual audits was allowed in the new edition of the IATF 16494 rules, but only for spaces that have autonomous remote support and under specific conditions. In-person audits remain mandatory for main production sites, regardless of the work model adopted.

Impact on corporate clients

New rules will reduce audit days for corporate clients by a uniform 15%, eliminating previous mandatory calculation reductions.

To become IATF 16949 compliant, the company must to put in the time and effort to follow all of these steps:

Know the requirements

Stay familiar with IATF 16949 requirements.

Evaluate processes and procedures

Evaluate existing processes and procedures to identify gaps in the quality management system.

Create a strategy

Create a strategy to address those gaps and respond with compliance to IATF 16949 requirements.

Train staff

Train personnel so that they have the necessary skills to respond with adherence to the requirements of the standard.

Execute the plan

Execute the plan to comply with the IATF 16949 standard.

Monitor progress

Monitor and measure plan execution progress to ensure it is in line with desired objectives.

Conduct an audit

Conduct an internal audit to prepare the company for conduct an external audit.

Schedule a visit

Schedule the visit of auditors from an IATF-authorized certification organization to perform the certification audit.

The TÜV Rheiland Group is a leader in certifications, inspections, training, and project management, and with highly qualified auditors to verify the level of adherence to the processes of the requirements demanded by the IATF 16949, as well as to verify corrective actions in cases of non-compliance are identified.

Get in touch and talk to our specialists. They are available to answer all your questions regarding the IATF 16949 certification.