The ISO/TS16949 can be applied throughout the supply chain in the automotive industry. A certification takes place on the basis of the certification rules issued by the IATF International Automotive Task Force. The certificate is valid for the length of three years and must be confirmed annually ( as a minimum ) by an IATF certified auditor (3rd Party Auditor) of an IATF recognized certification body, such as NSF International, Perry Johnson Registrars [PJR], TÜV SÜD, TÜV Rheinland, TÜV NORD, Bureau Veritas, Det Norske Veritas BA, BSI Group, DQS, LRQA (Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance), Vehicle Certification Agency[VCA] ], SGS S.A., and UTAC.
Thereafter follows the re-certification for another three years with a fresh annual confirmation. A certificate according to ISO/TS 16949 is intended to build up or enforce the confidence of a (potential) customer into the system and process quality of a (potential) supplier. Today, a supplier without a valid certificate has very little chance to serve a Tier 1 supplier and certainly no chance to serve a car manufacturer (OEM) with standard parts.
