Examples on various IATF 16949 topics

1. Product safety (clause 4.4.1.2)

Products must be safe and comply when they are available for supply, or 'placed on the market'. This occurs when a manufacturer first makes the product available for further supply or when an importer takes ownership of the goods once they have been cleared by customs.

What is safe is determined by considering all characteristics of the product, how it is presented, the effect that it might have on other products it is likely to be used with and the consumers at risk when using it.

For many product sectors there is specific safety legislation (covering, for example, electrical goods and machinery), which sets out more detailed safety requirements applicable to those products. This legislation generally applies to both consumer and commercial products, but sets out the same safety criteria.

For more information, see: Ensuring product safety according to IATF 16949 https://advisera.com/16949academy/blog/2017/09/20/ensuring-product-safety-according-to-iatf-16949/

2. Confidentiality (8.1.2)

Confidentiality is usually determined by the customer. Some customer may require that documents or processes the organization perform to provide the product are under confidentiality agreement and cannot be presented to other parties.

3. Organization manufacturing feasibility (8.2.3.1.3)

Based on the customer requirements,the organization needs to determine whether it is capable to provide demanded product in therms of quality and quantity. It can be done through validation of manufacturing process, benchmariking studies or other methods.

4. Internal audit programme (9.2.2.1)

The IATF 16949 requirements for the audit program ask that you plan, establish, implement, and maintain an audit program, meaning that you need to have an ongoing program in effect.

The following information should be included in the program:
- Audit frequency
- Audit methods
- Responsibilities
- Requirements for planning
- Criteria for the audit
- Scope of the audit
- Audit reporting

For more information, see: Five Main Steps in an IATF 16949:2016 Internal Audit https://advisera.com/16949academy/knowledgebase/five-main-steps-in-an-iatf-169492016-internal-audit/