"What's New?" Archives

As items get old on our "What's New?" page we will move them to this archive page.  The items will stay
here and will be accessible from the "What's New?" page.  If you can't find something here, just drop us
a line and we will try to get the information for you.


LOOK FOR REFERENCED UPDATES ON THE "WHAT'S NEW?" PAGE!
 

4/21/05 - "IASG" Issues Updated QS-9000 Sanctioned Interpretations

On March 1, the International Automotive Sector Group (IASG) issued a modification to the QS-9000 Sanctioned Interpretations.
The changes deal with Certification Body resource requirements and Accreditation Body witness audits of Certification Bodies.
The updated interpretations can be found at the IASG website or at the following direct link.

2/15/05 - DaimlerChrysler Recognized Laboratory Accreditation / Conformance Organizations

On February 14, DaimlerChrysler (Chrysler Group) issued an updated list of organizations that are recognized by them
to accredit laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025 as well as organizations that they recognize as approved second-parties to
verify conformance to ISO/IEC 17025 for labs wishing to show they meet the intent of the standard.  This list can be
found at the IAOB website or at the following direct link.

2/9/05 - DaimlerChrysler ISO/TS 16949:2002 Customer Specifics

On February 8, 2005, DaimlerChrysler posted their updated Customer Specifics on the IAOB website.  They can be found at
the following link.  The changes are primarily with the wording in the document.  Small supplier Quality Management System
development has been clarified.

2/1/05 - Delphi ISO/TS 16949:2002 Customer Specifics

Delphi has published their ISO/TS 16949:2002 Customer Specific Requirements.  The document revision date is
January 18, 2005 and can be obtained on their public access site or via a link on the AIAG website.  The manual supplements
ISO/TS16949 for quality and commercial requirements of Delphi suppliers. It includes specific information on how to properly
complete a supplier's response to a Delphi Request for Quote, necessary packaging, labels, and scheduling requirements, and
Delphi specific quality requirements.

1/6/05 - ISO 14001:2004

In December 2004, ISO issued the second edition of the Environmental Management Systems standard ISO 14001.  This
second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 14001:1996).  In addition to ISO 14001 being revised and 
updated, ISO 14004 (Environmental Management Systems - General guidelines on principles, systems and support techniques)
has been revised and updated.

5/5/04 - ISO/TS 16949:2002 Checklist

The ISO/TS 16949:2002 Quality Systems Assessment Checklist is being retired as of June 1, 2004.  The purpose is to
further promote the process approach to auditing.

4/27/04 - ISO 9000 Interpretations

ISO/TC 176 has developed and is maintaining a website for ISO 9001:2000 interpretations.  Posted on the website are
ISO 9000 series interpretations covering almost all sections of the standard.  This site should be visited periodically to keep
informed of changes.

4/27/04 - ISO 9000 Series User Feedback

ISO is looking for feedback from users of the ISO 9000:2000, ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 9004:2000 standards.  A website is
available for two-way communication between the users and the ISO working groups (ISO/TC 176 and subgroups).  
The current on-line survey consists of four sections:  details about the nature and size of your organization; your experience
in using the ISO 9000 series, both the 2000 version and previous versions; difficulties you may have experienced with
ISO 9001:2000 (including an opportunity to explain the nature of the difficulty and to suggest an alternative text that addresses
your problems. You may also make a general comment about any clause without suggesting an alternative text); and you may
suggest improvements to ISO 9004:2000.

 

4/3/04 - ISO/TS 16949:2002 Certification Scheme Rules

It has come to our attention that the "IATF" is preparing to release a revision to the "Automotive Certification Scheme for
ISO/TS 16949:2002 - Rules for achieving IATF recognition" document.  The revised edition of this document is apparently to
be released this month, April 2004.  Stay tuned, we will update you as soon as we know any further information.

4/3/04 - "AIAG" ISO/TS 16949:2002 Links

The "AIAG" website has an ISO/TS 16949:2002 links page.  The page includes links to the FAQs, sanctioned interpretations,
and much more.  More importantly, there are links to the "Big 3" customer specifics as well as additional customer specifics
from "Visteon" and "Delphi".  The username and password for the "Visteon" site is "visteon" and "supplier" respectively.  Once
at the "Delphi" site, click on "Supplier Standards".

3/15/04 - ISO/TS 16949:2002 Fequently Asked Questions  (UPDATE)

The "IAOB" has issued another FAQ (there are now seven).  The new FAQ was adopted 1/20/04 and can be found at the
IAOB website.

3/15/04 - "Chrysler" and "Mercedes Benz" ISO/TS 16949:2002 Customer Specifics  (UPDATE)

DaimlerChrysler has issued separate customer specifics for their Chrysler Group and Mercedes Benz Passenger Car Group.
They are available at the IAOB website. 

2/16/04 - "ISO" Issues Guidelines for Publicizing ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Certification

The "International Organization for Standardization" (ISO) has issued new guidelines to assist organizations apply good practice
when publicizing or otherwise communicating their registration to ISO 9001:2000 and /or ISO 14001.  The release of the guidelines
coincided with the 12/15/03 deadline for organizations to transition from ISO 9001/2/3:1994 to ISO 9001:2000.  One of the main
objectives of the new guidelines is to ensure that there is no confusion between registration to the old standard and the new
version of the QMS standard.  The document can be obtained as a PDF file via download from the "ISO" website.

2/16/04 - "Ford" ISO/TS 16949:2002 Customer Specifics (UPDATE)

Ford has released a revised edition (dated 11/2003) of their Customer Specific Requirements for ISO/TS 16949:2002.  They
are available on the IAOB website.


2/2/04 - "Visteon" ISO/TS 16949:2002 Customer Specifics

"Visteon" has issued their own version of ISO/TS 16949:2002 customer specific requirements.  The document is currently dated
December 17, 2003 and is available at http://www.visteonsupplier.com/ (a username and password is required at this time).  As
of the date of this post, these customer specific requirements are not posted on the "IAOB" website.

12/22/03 - "ISO" Guidance on Statistical Techniques

"ISO" has recently released an updated Technical Report dealing with the identification of statistical techniques that can be
useful in an ISO 9001:2000, or similar, Quality Management System.  ISO/TR 10017:2003 was recently updated based on the
ISO 9001:2000 standard and replaces ISO/TR 10017:1999.  This technical report provides guidance on the selection of
statistical techniques by examining the requirements of ISO 9001:2000 that involve the use of quantitative data and suggesting
statistics that may be useful when applied to the data.   It contains excellent tables that summarize the quantitative data needs
in ISO 9001:2000, the possible statistical techniques that could be applied, and for each statistical technique provides a 
description of what it is, what it is used for, benefits, limitations and cautions and examples of applications.  In our eyes, it is
a very handy document that will assist any organization in selecting appropriate tools to make its data more useful.

12/15/03 - "General Motors" ISO/TS 16949:2002 Specific Requirements  (UPDATE)

General Motors has released a revised edition (dated December 2003) of their Customer Specific Requirements for ISO/TS 16949.
They are available on the IAOB website.

12/13/03 - ISO 9001:2000 Transition  (UPDATE)

The end is near for the ISO 9000:1994 standards!!  Tomorrow brings about the final demise of the standard we have "learned
to love".  There is only one problem, apparently there will be a lot of North American companies that will no longer have a 
registered Quality Management System on Monday, 12/15/03.  According to the ISO 9000 Registered Company Database available
thru QualityDigest, only 40.1% had upgraded their registrations to ISO 9001:2000 as of 12/10/03.  Could be a very busy time for 
ISO 9001:2000 Registrars and Auditors in 2004!  (Source:  Countdown to ISO 9001:2000 Transition.)

11/30/03 - ISO 9001:2000 Transition  (SEE UPDATE - 12/13/03)

The  ISO 9000 Registered Company Database available thru QualityDigest shows that, as of 11/10/03, only 33.8% of all
ISO 9000 series registrations in North America are to ISO 9001:2000.  N.B.  From today (11/30), there are only 14 days left
till the deadline of December 14, 2003!!  (Source: Countdown to ISO 9001:2000 Transition.)

10/26/03 - ISO/TS 16949:2002 Subcontractors

The IAOB FAQs clarify how subcontractors (suppliers to ISO/TS 16949:2002 registered companies) are to be developed.
The key clarification in the FAQ is that organizations will be allowed to work with suppliers that do not meet the minimum
requirement of third-party registration to ISO 9001:2000 by showing evidence that the non-registered suppliers have a plan to
be registered within the three-year registration period of the organization.

10/26/03 - "Ford" ISO/TS 16949:2002 Specific Requirements (SEE UPDATE - 2/16/04)

Ford has released a revised edition (dated 10/2003) of their Customer Specific Requirements for ISO/TS 16949:2002.  They
are available on the IAOB website.

10/17/03 - QS-9000 Sanctioned Interpretations

The International Automotive Sector Group (IASG) has finalized the newest revision of their QS-9000 Sanctioned
Interpretations.  They are to become effective 11/1/03 and should be available at the QS-9000 website in the next few days.
The changes cover four items:  section 4.10.6 "Supplier Internal Laboratory Requirements", section 4.10.7 "Supplier
External Laboratory Requirements", "Notification of Probation" and the definition of an "Accredited Laboratory".  
Interpretations C11 and C12 covering sections 4.10.6 and 4.10.7 respectively have been added and state the same
requirements as ISO/TS 16949:2002 clauses 7.6.3.1 and 7.6.3.2 respectively with the exception of some necessary changes
in terminology (i.e. supplier vs. organization).  The "Notification of Probation" interpretation is directed at certification
bodies/registrars and the definition simply clarifies what an accredited lab is.

 

10/16/03 - ISO 9001:2000 Transition  (SEE UPDATE - 11/30/03)

The  ISO 9000 Registered Company Database available thru QualityDigest shows that, as of 10/16/03, only 31.7% of all ISO 9000 series registrations in North America are to ISO 9001:2000.  N.B.  There are only 59 days left from October 16 till the deadline of December 14, 2003!!  (Source:  Countdown to ISO 9001:2000 Transition.)
 

10/9/03 - "General Motors" ISO/TS 16949:2002 Specific Requirements  (SEE UPDATE - 12/15/03)

General Motors has released a revised edition (dated 10/2003) of their Customer Specific Requirements for ISO/TS 16949.   They are
available on the IAOB website.  Check the IAOB website often to ensure you have the current edition of the customer specific
requirements, sanctioned interpretations and FAQs.

9/17/03 - ISO 9001:2000 Transition Deadline Approaches

The chairs of the ISO Technical Committee responsible for the ISO 9000 standards and two key conformity assessment groups
issued a joint communiqué on 7/27/03 strongly reaffirmed the Dec. 15, 2003 deadline for transitioning to ISO 9001:2000.  The
communiqué was signed by the Chairs of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the ISO Policy Committee on Conformity
Assessment (ISO/CASCO) as well as the chair of ISO/TC 176 and makes clear that accreditation bodies that are IAF members will
not permit registrars to maintain 1994 edition certificates after the December deadline.  

 

9/17/03 - ISO 9001:2000 Transition  (SEE UPDATE - 10/16/03)

The  ISO 9000 Registered Company Database available thru QualityDigest shows that, as of 9/17/03, only 28.6% of all ISO 9000 series registrations in North America are to ISO 9001:2000.  (Source:  Countdown to ISO 9001:2000 Transition.)
 

9/17/03 - ISO/TS 16949:2002 Implementation Guide

The Automotive Industry Action Group has published The ISO/TS 16949:2002 Implementation Guide.  This implementation guide is
intended to improve ISO/TS 16949:2002 implementation based on lessons learned from QS-9000 by:
	- Defining what's new and different between QS-9000 Third Edition and ISO/TS 16949:2002
	- Providing an explanation of the process approach
	- Developing strategies for implementation
	- Explaining pitfalls to avoid

9/17/03 - ISO/TS 16949:2002 Sanctioned Interpretations and FAQs  (SEE UPDATE - 3/15/04)

The IAOB will be using two different formats for communicating updated understandings or interpretations of the 
ISO/TS 16949:2002 standard.  The sanctioned interpretations are clarifications of the ISO/TS 16949:2002 requirements
and are considered binding extensions of the standard.  The FAQs are clarifications of existing requirements.  Keep
your eye on these as they are updated as necessary and will help ensure consistency in implementation and auditing.

7/15/03 - "Ford" ISO/TS 16949:2002 Specific Requirements (SEE UPDATE - 10/26/03)

Ford has released a revised edition (dated 7/2003) of their Customer Specific Requirements for ISO/TS 16949:2002.  They are
available on the IAOB website.  The most current versions of the General Motors and DaimlerChrysler customer specific
requirements are also available from the IAOB.

5/11/03 - ISO/TS 16949:2002 Rules

A second edition of the "Automotive Certification Scheme for ISO/TS 16949:2002 - Rules for Achieving IATF Recognition"
is expected to be published in July 2003.

5/2/03 - ISO/TS 16949:2002 Customer Specifics (UPDATE)

It is expected that the meaning of ALL customers will be clarified in writing by the IAOB in the very near future.  An
excellent source has informed us that the IAOB will clarify that Registrars will be expected to audit the specific
requirements for the customers subscribing to the standard (i.e. the automotive OEMs), NOT ALL of the organization's
clients as was previously defined.

2/28/03 - "Ford" ISO/TS 16949:2002 Specific Requirements (SEE UPDATE - 7/15/03)

Ford has released a revised edition (dated 2/2003) of their Customer Specific Requirements for ISO/TS 16949:2002.
They have modified the requirements for Internal Auditor training, allowing more options.



1/2/03 -  "DaimlerChrysler" ISO 14001 Deadline (UPDATE) 

It appears that DaimlerChrysler is NOT going to extend the deadline for registration to ISO 14001.  Any supplier that has
not complied with the 12/31/02 deadline will be contacted by DaimlerChrysler and requested to submit a timeline for
their registration to ISO 14001.  DaimlerChrysler will track these suppliers' progress to their timeline.  Business for those
suppliers that did not comply with the deadline may be affected.

12/13/02 - "Ford" ISO/TS 16949:2002 Specific Requirements  (SEE UPDATE - 2/28/03)

Ford has finalized their customer-specific requirements related to ISO/TS 16949:2002.  They are available at the
Ford website and the IAOB website, both of which link to a secured page requiring a Ford User ID and password.
There are many links from their specifics to Q1 2002.  A couple of interesting points in this document are that the use of 
family MSA studies must be approved by the STA and the internal auditor qualification and training requirements (quite
extensive).  All Ford suppliers should obtain a copy of this document and comply with all of its requirements.

12/11/02 - QS-9000 Clause 4.6.2.1 and Sanctioned Interpretation C9

Well, it looks like the "Big Three" are sticking to their guns when it comes to subcontractor development.  An advisory is
expected shortly that will define what is to be done when a QS-9000 registered supplier does not meet the requirements
of QS-9000, Clause 4.6.2.1 and Interpretation C9.  The proposed wording of this advisory states that a either a MAJOR
or MINOR nonconformance would be written based on not meeting the above and the certified supplier's site
performance (quality, customer disruptions, delivery and customer notifications related to quality or delivery issues),
and/or other system nonconformities.  All suppliers should review the requirements of QS-9000, Clause 4.6.2.1,
the latest "IASG" Sanctioned Interpretations, and the update on Clause 4.6.2.1 and Interpretation C9 to ensure that they
are aware of the requirements and know what their options are (suppliers do have options and do not have to stop
doing business with smaller "mom and pop" shops, for example - see Q&A question #4).

11/28/02 - "DaimlerChrysler" Registration Deadlines  (SEE 10/26/03 - ISO/TS 16949:2002 SUBCONTRACTORS)

As you are probably already aware, the deadline for tier 1 suppliers to DaimlerChrysler to be registered to 
ISO/TS 16949:2002 is July 1, 2004.  Tier 2 suppliers are to be registered to ISO 9001:2000 by July 1, 2004.  
DaimlerChrysler will also accept registration to QS-9000 and second-party audits for tier 2 suppliers until 7/1/04.  The 
deadline for tier 1 suppliers to be registered to ISO 14001 is to be extended to 12/31/03.  The supplier must be registered 
for the AIAG ISO 14001 Workshop by 12/31/02 and must also have contracted with a registrar and be waiting for Stage 2
assessment by this date as well.

11/27/02 - "DaimlerChrysler" ISO 14001 Deadline  (SEE UPDATE - 1/2/03)

In a meeting that DaimlerChrysler had with North American ISO/TS 16949 Registrars in October, it was stated that they were seriously considering extending the deadline for registration to ISO 14001 until December 2003.  Apparently a letter to suppliers has been drafted and is expected to be finalized and sent out by the end of November.  As of the date of this posting, the letter has yet to be sent out.  We'll keep you posted!!
 

11/27/02 - ISO/TS 16949:2002 Customer Specifics  (SEE UPDATE - 5/2/03)

The IAOB (International Automotive Oversight Bureau) is requiring registrars to audit ALL customer specific requirements for organizations that are wishing to obtain registration to ISO/TS 16949:2002.  The organization is to gather the customer specific requirements for all of the automotive customers that they ship product to, not just those OEM customers that have published ISO/TS 16949:2002 requirements, and supply this information to their registrar.  The registrar's auditors are to ensure that all customer specific requirements are being met by the organization.  This is a significant change from QS-9000 Third Edition and ISO/TS 16949:1999 when all you had to worry about were the published customer specific documents (i.e. General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, and others that have contributed to and support the standards).