IATF Certification: the key to quality in the automotive industry

All across the technology sector, innovation is crucial to meeting quality standards and guaranteeing the excellence and durability of all products and services. Particularly in the automotive industry, the IATF (International Automotive Task Force) 16949 certification has been defined as the international quality management standard. 

As such, widely recognized companies like Deacero Summit constantly strive to keep up with these requirements, in order to provide quality management throughout the automotive supply chain and expand our offer to international markets. 

If you want to learn more about what it entails to earn an IATF certification and its impact on the automotive industry, keep reading and find out in this article. 

The importance of IATF in the automotive industry

The IATF certification 16949 is the global quality standard formerly known as ISO 9001, that applies specifically to the automotive industry. Earning this certification is a basic requirement for suppliers in this sector since it allows them to:

• Comply with specific quality and security standards.
• Prevent manufacturing faults and reduce variations in the production process.
• Improve operational efficiency.
• Reduce costs.

For instance, enterprises like Deacero Summit that have been certified by the IATF successfully demonstrate their commitment to improving quality. In turn, this reinforces our position in the market and boosts the trust of our customers. 

What does earning an IATF certification entail?

In order to earn an IATF 16949 certification, a company in the automotive industry must comply with the following requirements:

• A quality management system focused on continual improvement. For example, a plan for preventing malfunction or reducing variations and waste during fabrication. 
• The quality management system must be aligned strictly with IATF 16949 guidelines.
• The company must submit to regular auditing and maintain detailed registration of its quality performance.

The stages of certification

Completing the following stages is always essential for companies that are looking to earn the IATF certification:

1. Preliminary auditing: this initial evaluation will detail how well the company complies with IATF standards.
2. Planification: an action plan will be laid out to address all areas of improvement. 
3. Implementation: the corrective actions are carried out according to the action plan.
4. Certification auditing: a complete audit is performed to verify that the quality management system meets all requirements.
5. Issuance of certification: once the company passes the audit, it will be awarded an IATF certification.

Required Documentation

• Quality manual: it details quality policies, objectives, and procedures of the quality management system.
• Documentation of procedures: it expands on the instructions to operate and control key processes in the company.
• Quality registration: it is evidence that the company fulfills the requirements throughout the auditing process. 
• Audit checklist: a mechanism to perform internal audits systematically, to guarantee the examination of all aspects concerning the quality system.

All companies that have yet to earn the IATF certification, should follow this checklist.

Maintenance and continual improvement 

It is safe to say that ensuring a company’s quality control goes beyond earning any certification. Furthermore, optimizing operations requires regular internal auditing and the company’s commitment to implement both corrective and preventive actions.

Internal audits

Additional internal audits should be performed systemically and periodically to evaluate all processes of the organization. All findings resulting from the audit must be documented to evaluate their causes and detect potential process deviations. 

Consequently, this process should allow for better communication and alignment between all areas of the organization, as everyone would be aware of which part of the process requires special attention. 

Corrective and preventive actions

Adequate corrective actions must address all the system flaws that were identified during the audits. Meanwhile, preventive actions should anticipate any scenario of nonconformance or potential risk in order to understand its root and develop specific action plans that work against it. 

Deacero Summit: Leading the Carbon Steel Industry

As we have reviewed so far, the key to Deacero Summit’s success in the automotive industry is our commitment to innovation and functionality. And how do we do this? We particularly rely on the use of cutting-edge technology that successfully translates to top-quality products and services.

To our core, this is the commitment to excellence and innovation that all of our customers and partners receive. Is your company ready to also be part of this? 

If so, let us know, and our expert advisors will contact you right away. Explore our product catalog and find out how to achieve global success with Deacero Summit.