IATF 16949 Internal Lead Auditor
An Introduction to IATF 16949:2016 - Automotive quality management standard (QMS) or “IATF 16949” along with applicable customer-specific requirements, ISO9001:2015 requirements define the fundamental quality management system requirements specifically for the automotive industry. It was released by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) and the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) to replace the previous ISO/TS 16949 standard.
The goal of the standard - is to help automotive companies adopt a QMS that emphasises defect prevention of their products and services, reduce variation, waste and defects and enhances customer satisfaction. It also aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of automotive supply chains, reduce the risk of product failures and recalls, and promote continual improvement.
To become certified to IATF 16949:2016, an organization must undergo a third-party audit by an accredited certification body. The certification process involves a comprehensive assessment of the organization's QMS, including its policies, procedures, and practices. Once certified, the organization must maintain its QMS and undergo periodic audits to ensure ongoing compliance with the standard.
The role of a Lead Auditor to IATF 16949:2016, a person who is responsible for planning and conducting internal audits of an organization's quality management system (QMS) against the requirements of the IATF 16949:2016 standard. This role requires a deep understanding of the standard, the ability to plan and conduct effective audits, and the skills to communicate audit results and recommendations to management.
The Internal Lead Auditor is responsible for leading and managing the internal audit process. This includes planning and scheduling audits, conducting opening and closing meetings, preparing audit reports, and following up on corrective actions. They must also work closely with other members of the audit team to ensure that all aspects of the audit are conducted effectively and efficiently.
To become an IATF 16949:2016 Internal Lead Auditor, a person must have a solid understanding of the IATF 16949:2016 standard and be able to interpret its requirements. The Internal Lead Auditor is also required to understand the applicable customer-specific requirements and core tool requirements as applicable to the scope of the audit. They must have strong communication and interpersonal skills, as they will need to interact with people at all levels of the organisation. In addition, they must be trained in the principles and practices of auditing including how to plan and conduct audits, gather evidence and communicate findings.
Overall, the Internal Lead Auditor plays a critical role in ensuring that an organization's QMS is effective, efficient, and compliant with the IATF 16949:2016 standard. By conducting internal audits and identifying areas for improvement, they help the organization to continually improve its processes and enhance customer satisfaction.
What are the Top Ten Major & Minor Non-Conformities, On 16-Feb-2023 the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) published the top ten major and minor non-conformities statistics based on the certification audits performed globally. Refer to figure as below.
When a major non-conformity occurs, based on situation analysis, the certification body certification decision function shall decide to suspend or not to suspend the certification of your company. Likewise, the company needs to notify their customer as applicable. This undesirable situation and its impact on your business can be avoided!
What is SQI’s Offerings, from the figure below SQI offer 4 main IATF courses, an Introduction course, a 3-day IATF 16949 Internal Auditor course followed by a lead Auditor course. An additional 5-day Core Tools course to enhance the application of effective usage of Quality tools.
