Quality Systems

QS-9000


QS-9000 requirements were developed by the Chrysler/Ford/General Motors Supplier Quality Requirements Task Force. In 1994 this task force developed QS-9000 by analyzing requirements originally found in:
  • Ford's Q-101 Quality System Standard.
  • Chrysler's Supplier Quality Assurance Manual.
  • General Motors' North American Operations Targets for Excellence and Europe's General Quality Standard for Purchased Materials.
In essence, QS-9000 defines the fundamental quality expectations of Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, truck manufacturers and other subscribing companies.

Note:
QS 9000 will become obsolete in December 2006. It is being replaced by ISO/TS 16949:2002.


ISO-9000


The ISO 9000 Series provides general quality assurance guidelines as well as quality system models that can be used by any type or size of company anywhere in the world.

The Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published the ISO 9000 series of standards for quality assurance in 1987. Its goal was to provide guidelines for consistent quality practices across international borders.

More than 100 countries have adopted ISO 9000 as national standards.


ISO/TS 16949


In 1996, due to the success of QS9000, the automotive moved towards the development of a globally accepted and harmonized quality management system requirements document. From this, the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) was formed to lead the development effort.

The IATF is an ad hoc group of OEM's and automotive trade associations whose common goal is to improve the quality of products to automotive customers worldwide. IATF members include the Big 3 and other OEM's and industry groups.

The result of the IATF's effort is the ISO/TS 16949 specification. ISO/TS 16949 used the ISO 9001 Standard as the basis for their development and included the requirements from these Standards with specific 'adders' for the automotive supply chain. The 2002 revision of TS builds off the ISO9001:2000 document.