The 7 Major Requirements of IATF 16949:2016

IATF 16949:2016 defines the Quality Management System (QMS) requirements for the design and development, production and, when relevant, the assembly, installation and services of automotive-related products including products with embedded software. The focus of this automotive standard is the development of a QMS that provides for continual improvement, emphasizing defect prevention and the reduction of waste in the supply chain. Combined with applicable Customer Specific Requirements, IATF 16949® is also fully aligned with the structure and requirements of ISO 9001:2015.

The standard is divided into ten sections – the first three are introductory, with the remaining seven containing the requirements for the Quality Management System. Below is a brief summary of Sections 4-10:

Learn where the most major nonconformances and minor nonconformances occur during IATF 16949^® audits and how to avoid them.

Section 4: Context of the Organization

The organization determines its context in terms of the QMS, including interested parties and their needs and expectations. It also defines the requirements for determining the scope of the QMS, as well as general QMS requirements.

Section 5: Leadership

Top management is required to demonstrate leadership and commitment to the QMS, along with defining corporate responsibility and the quality policy. The top management must also assign process owners along with other roles and responsibilities.

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Section 6: Planning

The planning section defines requirements for addressing risks and opportunities and the requirements for risk analysis. This clause also includes requirements for preventive actions, contingency plans, and quality objectives and plans to achieve them.

Section 7: Support

This section covers requirements for supporting processes and resources. It defines requirements for people, infrastructure, work environment, monitoring and measuring resources, organizational knowledge, auditor competence, awareness, communication, and documented information.

Section 8: Operation

The product requirements deal with all aspects of the planning and creation of the product or service. This section includes requirements on planning, product requirements review, design, purchasing, creating the product or service, and controlling the equipment used to monitor and measure the product or service. IATF 16949® allows for requirements in clause 8.3, regarding design and development of products, to be excluded if they are not applicable to the company.  Note that:  Clause 8 has the most number of minor nonconformances, and is second for the most major nonconformances.  The main clauses generating findings come from 8.5.1 and its sub clauses (8.5.1.1, 8.5.1.2, 8.5.1.3, and 8.5.1.5), as well as 8.3.5.2 and 8.3.3.3.

Section 9: Performance Evaluation

This section includes requirements for monitoring the effectiveness of the QMS – assessing customer satisfaction, internal audits, monitoring and measurement of manufacturing processes, and management review.  Note:  Clauses 9.1.1.1 and 9.1.2.1 are in the top 10 for the most number of major findings.

Section 10: Improvement

The last section focuses on the continual improvement of the QMS, including requirements for nonconformities and corrective actions, problem solving, and error-proofing processes.  Important to note:  Clause 10.2.1 and 10.2.3 generate the most number of major findings

IATF® & the Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle

These sections of the ISO standard are represented on a Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, which uses these elements to implement change within the processes of the organization in order to drive and maintain improvements to the quality management system.

This chart illustrates how the ISO Sections (Clauses) 4 to 10 can be grouped in relation to the PDCA cycle. 

This chart illustrates how the ISO Sections (Clauses) 4 to 10 can be grouped in relation to the PDCA cycle.

We Can Help: IATF 16949^® Experts a Click Away

If you’re searching for an IATF 16949:2016 consultant, our team at simpleQuE is well-positioned to support your IATF 16949® and MAQMSR consulting (Minimum Automotive Quality Management System Requirements), certification, maintenance, training and internal auditing needs. Our consultants are qualified, certified, and are experts on the automotive standards, customer-specific requirements, and AIAG or VDA core tools. In addition, many are current or former 3rd party auditors who bring valuable insight because of the knowledge gained from auditing for certification bodies.

SimpleQuE also offers a full line-up of IATF 16949 training courses which includes AIAG and VDA Core Tools, Root Cause Analysis and Problem Solving, Requirements and Implementation.  With IATF® also putting a major focus on internal auditor competency, it is essential to have IATF 16949® Internal Auditor Training. Our IATF 16949® auditor training utilizes the process audit approach. Contact Our IATF® consultants to learn more about the customized services offered to match your certification and training needs.

Obtaining and maintaining IATF 16949®, and meeting all of the related Customer Specific Requirements (CSRs), is difficult, which is why we’ve created free IATF 16949® tools, checklists and resources for your use. 

SimpleQuE is not associated with the IATF®, IAOB, ANAB®, IAQG®, and is not a certification body. SimpleQuE is an independent consulting, training, and second-party auditing service provider that assists a company on a path for the company to obtain and maintain certification through accredited certification bodies.