IATF 16949:2016 was officially released as scheduled on October 1, 2016, and IATF subsequently released a revised version of the transition strategy "ISO/TS 16949 to IATF 16949 Transition Strategy from ISO/TS 16949 to IATF 16949 on October 3. Transition Strategies, which provides guidance for organizations to successfully transition to IATF 16949:2016 -

The revised transition strategy incorporates clarifications to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) approved by the IATF, in addition, some minor grammatical errors have been corrected. Below, I will explain the four major changes in the revised transfer strategy:

1. Unified and misunderstood time requirements

Unify two misleading time requirements on pages 4 and 10 of the original guidance document (about the failure to conduct IATF 16949 transition review in time). That is, if the enterprise that has obtained the ISO/TS 16949:2009 certificate fails to complete the transition audit within the transition period, the original ISO/TS 16949 certificate-issuing certification body can be issued within 18 months from the end of the last ISO/TS 16949 audit. There is no need to arrange the first-stage document review, and there is no need to submit special documents to the IATF Supervision Office.

2. Delete misleading descriptions

Removed the last misleading description on page 4 of the original guidance document (on the issue of allowing transition reviews). The original guidance document pointed out that enterprises shall not conduct the transition audit of ISO/TS16949:2009 to IATF16949 in the following circumstances:

——Transfer agency audit to a new certification body

- special audits, or any other audits conducted outside the normal audit cycle

In order to clear up misunderstandings, the red underlined sentence has been removed from the revised guidance document.

3. Arrangement of the follow-up audit team

Certification bodies will be allowed to use an auditor from the transition audit team as a member of the audit team to participate in subsequent surveillance audits.

4. (New) Subsequent Certification Cycle

Clarified that the (new) follow-up review cycle starts from the end of the transition review.

The updated transition strategy also includes "TRANSITION FAQS", which includes 17 answers to frequently asked questions about the transition. "Enterprise aviation consultants will proofread and interpret for you as soon as possible, and provide organizations with a successful transition to IATF 16949:2016 Guidance -

1. When is the earliest time to start a transition audit from ISO/TS 16949:2009 to IATF 16949:2016?

The earliest date on which an IATF 16949:2016 transition audit (or initial audit) can begin is January 1, 2017.

2. According to the transition guidance document: Organizations cannot conduct transfer audits and transition audits for IATF 16949 at the same time. So, can an organization that previously held ISO/TS 16949 certification be transferred to a new certification body and conduct an initial certification audit by the new certification body?

If the organization holds a valid ISO/TS 16949:2009 certificate, according to the transition guidance document: any other certification body is prohibited from accepting the organization as a new customer.

If an organization has released its contract with an existing certification body and no longer holds an ISO/TS 16949:2009 certificate, the organization may transfer to another new IATF-accredited certification body.

3. Does the organization need to conduct a management review in accordance with IATF 16949 before starting a transition audit?

Before an IATF-accredited certification body conducts a transition audit of the organization, the organization needs to demonstrate that all requirements for the management review are met.

This certification shall be carried out through a new management review in accordance with IATF 16949:2016. However, when conducting a transition audit, this requirement can also be achieved through a combination of a previously conducted management review in accordance with ISO/TS 16949:2009 and a supplementary management review for the new requirements of IATF 16949:2016.

4. Does the organization need to conduct a full internal system audit in accordance with IATF 16949 before starting a transition audit?

Before an IATF-accredited certification body conducts a transition audit, the organization needs to pass a comprehensive internal system audit in accordance with the requirements of IATF 16949:2016 to prove that the relevant requirements of IATF 16949:2016 are met.

However, when conducting transition audits, this requirement can also be achieved through a combination of a comprehensive internal audit that has been previously conducted in accordance with ISO/TS16949:2009 requirements and a supplementary internal audit for the new requirements of IATF 16949:2016.

5. Are certification bodies allowed to conduct pre-audits before commencing transition audits?

Not allowed. However, the certification body may provide at least half an additional audit man-day on-site to collect and review the missing audit planning information before starting the audit (see IATF related transition audit requirements for details).

6. Is the certification body allowed to conduct a gap analysis before commencing the transition audit?

Not allowed.

7. In the group audit program, is a document review required for each manufacturing site?

need. Even in a group audit program with the same quality management system, each manufacturing site is required to provide the required relevant documents.

8. Does the organization need to collect 12 months of data under the new process of IATF 16949 before starting the transition audit?

  unnecessary.