Eligibility of IATF certification

Answer:

The standard states that "IATF 16949 defines the quality management system requirements for a client providing design and development, production and, when relevant, assembly, installation, and services of automotive-related products". Unfortunately, this doesn't include production of raw materials.

In addition, the document called Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF recognition published by AIAG, states "Only manufacturing sites where production, service parts, and/or accessory parts that shall be mechanically attached or electrically connected to the vehicle are manufactured and supplied to automotive customers are eligible for IATF 16949 certification".

Rules  for achieving and maintaining IATF recognition state (5th edition pag 9):

"Manufacturing  shall be understood as the process of making or fabricating production materials, production of........."

So raw materials manufacturer can be IATF certified.

If the raw material produced is a material component to be used in the automotive industry and to be assembled on a road vehicle, in this case, the raw material producer can apply for the IATF 16949.2016 certificate. 

As an example, we can give the car paint raw material manufacturer or the steel manufacturer. In both cases, the raw material is used both in the vehicle bodywork to produce the car.

Raw material suppliers producing these materials can obtain IATF 16949 certification. 

I see a contradiction in the standard (rules for achieving and maintaining IATF recognition. On the one hand it talks about "materials" under the definition of manufacturing, on the other hand it talks about parts mechanically or electronically attached to the car. As we are supplying chemicals to tyre makers, it is not clear whether our manufacturing sites are eligible for IATF 16949 certification.

The organizations producing for the automotive sector can apply for IATF 16949. The important thing here is that one of the two criteria is to be a manufacturer and the other is to present the product to the original equipment manufacturer. As you know, aftermarket parts are out of scope. 

If you are a manufacturer and your product goes to the original equipment manufacturer (car, truck, bus, motorcycle group), you can enter the IATF 16949 audit. 

The product you produce may be a chemical product, there is no problem in this regard

Are manufacturers of natural rubber (specified tire rubber) eligible for IATF?

The Organizations producing for the automotive sector can apply for IATF 16949. The important thing here is that one of the two criteria is to be a manufacturer and the other is to present the product to the original equipment manufacturer. As you know, aftermarket parts are out of scope.

If you are a manufacturer and your product goes to the original equipment manufacturer (car, truck, bus, motorcycle group), you can be eligible for the IATF 16949 audit.

The product you produce may be a chemical product, there is no problem in this regard.

Antifreeze Packging and Blend Plant

Is a Antifreeze plant Eligable for IATF. The plant does not own the blend formulas they only supply the labor to blend the antifreeze and package the antifreeze. The customers own the blend formulas. Some of the antifreeze brands go to OEM customers.

Since you are blending, this counts as a production process.

If your product goes to automotive companies, that is, it is installed in a car or truck, bus, or motorcycle, you can apply for an IATF certificate.