|
Program summary card
|
|
Issue |
Program rules/comments
|
|
Standard |
ISO 9001 |
|
Any other relevant document |
Nil |
|
Target audience |
Any company |
|
Global-Mark output document |
Certificate of Approval |
|
Other Global-Mark output document |
Certification schedule (used if all the information does not fit on the Certificate of Approval) |
|
Certificate validity period |
3 years |
|
Certification mark that can be used by the client |
Trust-Mark® QMS |
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Can this mark be used on product? |
No |
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Periodicity of post certification reviews |
Maximum 12 monthly |
|
Periodicity of re-certification review |
3 years (due to ISO9001 certification) |
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Steps to and post certification |
|
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Application |
ü |
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Document review |
ü |
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Pre-certification review |
Optional |
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Certification review |
ü |
|
Technical file review |
Nil |
|
Follow-up review |
ü |
|
Post certification review |
ü |
|
Re-certification review |
ü (ISO9001 only) |
QS9000 is based on ISO9001 which is the super-star of all compliance programs. Since its release in the 1980’s ISO9001 has become the most used and published standard in the world. It has been accepted and adopted “as is” by most industrialised countries in the world and is very much a passport to trade.
QS-9000, the quality management system standard developed by Ford, GM and Chrysler was released in 1996.
QS9000 has been specifically developed for the automotive market and is now widely used by car and truck manufacturers as a supplier management tool.
QS9000 is supported by Sanctioned Interpretations which further define the requirements of the standard.
QS9000 certification can only be awarded to organisations that meet the eligibility/applicability criteria.
In essence, ISO9001 certification reflects an organisation’s commitment to quality, leadership and systems as well as sound and stable processes which deliver consistent products or services that meet their customers’ expectations.
QS9000 is a must in the automotive industry. Certification will assist you to prove that you have sound systems, and you are keeping them up to date, and in continued compliance.
QS9000 certification must be done in conjunction with ISO9001. Hence the certificate of approval issued by Global-Mark will refer to both standards: for example: “QS-9000 incorporating the requirements of ISO9001”.
The following are specific requirements of the QS9000 certification program, and are an extract of the Standard, Sanctioned Interpretations or JASANZ requirements:
Audit duration:
Expected audit durations are presented in our fee proposal.
Applicability criteria:
Only organisations that meet the following conditions can seek and receive QS9000 certification:
- Internal and external suppliers of:
- production materials,
- production and service parts, or
- heat treating, painting, plating or other finishing services directly to OEM’s subscribing to QS-9000.
- Any supplier or sub-contractor may elect to pursue certification however all elements of QS-9000 must be assessed and complied with.
Certification time frames:
It is a requirement that the certification process must not exceed three months from start to finish (i.e. the certificate being issued), and that at least one audit team member be consistent throughout the process. The certification process is defined as including document appraisals, pre-certification review(s), certification review and if applicable, follow-ups.
Closure and sign-off of review findings:
All nonconformities (major and minor) must be closed out prior to certification by Global-Mark.
Code of Practice:
We and all our team members commit to comply with the QS-9000 Code of Practice.
Customer performance indicators:
As part of our review, we will ask and review the OEM performance reports.
Poor trends in such indicators need to be addressed by the client. If not, Global-Mark will issue a non-conformance in regards to the poor performance.
Design responsible:
If the client has been deemed to be design responsible by their automotive Client, then it can only be certified to QS9000/ISO 9001 including the design requirements. The design centre(s) or location(s) must be reviewed by Global-Mark every year.
Document Control:
Business plans, strategic plans, QS-9000 (the Standard) and Sanctioned Interpretations must be within the scope of the document control system.
Internal departments under the same company name or trading structure:
An internal department will only be accepted as a “supplier” to the QS-9000 client if there is a formalised two party agreement between the client and the relevant department. If not, the department(s) will need to be reviewed and included in the scope of certification to QS-9000.
Laboratories (on site or internal):
The on-site review by Global-Mark of laboratories will include as a minimum:
- adequacy of the laboratory procedures;
- qualifications of the laboratory personnel conducting tests;
- conducting the appropriate tests for the commodity;
- capability to perform these services correctly, traceable to the relevant process standard (such as ASTM, EN, etc.)
- performing these tests correctly, to the appropriate process standards.
The internal laboratory facility must have a defined scope and be included in the management system and have the capability to perform the required inspection, test or calibration services.
Laboratories (external):
External/commercial/independent laboratory facilities used for inspection, test or calibration services by the supplier must have a defined laboratory scope that includes the capability to perform the required inspection, test or calibration, and either:
- have evidence that the external laboratory is acceptable to the customer, or
- the laboratory is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 or national equivalent.
Note 1: Such evidence may be demonstrated by customer assessment, for example, or by customer-approved second-party assessment that the laboratory meets the intent of ISO/IEC 17025 or national equivalent.
Note 2: Where a qualified laboratory is not available to perform calibration services for a given piece of equipment, such calibration services may be performed by the equipment manufacturer. In such cases, the supplier should ensure that the requirements listed in Sanctioned Interpretation C11 (above), have been met.
Management reviews and internal audits:
The management review process must consider all elements of the management system to establish suitability and effectiveness in meeting QS-9000. Also, management review records and a full internal audit must be in place before Global-Mark can undertake its certification review.
Multi-sited clients/corporate certification:
In any case all sites must be audited within the 3 years certification cycle.
If one site is placed on probation, then all sites under the corporate certification must be placed on probation. If corporate certification is placed on probation, it cannot be changed, such as being broken-up into many “site-specific” registrations. While on probation from QS-9000, new locations may be allocated to the corporate certification, or a location within a corporate certification may be removed if such a location is completely closed.
Probation:
- An organisation certified to QS9000 will be placed on probation (and this will be reported to the QS database administrator and the car manufacturer) if:
- Global-Mark issues a major non-conformance or
- The supplier is notified by Ford of “Q-1 Probation or Revocation”, by DaimlerChrysler of “Needs Improvement” (“Quality Rating only – not Total Rating”), or by General Motors of “New_Business Hold – Quality”; or Mitsubishi Australia - Rating E, Toyota Australia - Quality Rating Downgrade - Restricted Status or Minor non-conformance corrective action is verified by Global-Mark as not being effectively implemented within 60 days of the date identified.
- Global-Mark will advise you in writing that your organisation has been placed on probation.
- Corrective action on review findings: Your organisation must submit the corrective action plan to Global-Mark and to the affected customer(s) within 10 business days of the date of the letter of notification of probation.
- Clients who have been on probation will be placed on a 6 monthly post certification cycle for at least 18 months.
Sanctioned Interpretations issued by Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG):
These are updated regularly and may affect your systems, processes and certification. Your organisation is required to maintain a system for the control of Sanctioned Interpretations, and to continue to comply with these, as they are updated and released. A procedure should also be in place for the control and review of Sanctioned Interpretations.
Major non-conformances:
A major non-conformance can only be closed by Global-Mark conducting a special on-site follow-up review of appropriate duration.
Management consultants/advisors:
They can attend reviews but only as observers.
Merger, change of ownership, acquisitions, relocation, joint-ventures, mergers, re-structures:
Global-Mark must be notified in writing of such changes within 30 days from the time such site change is announced. Failure of the supplier to comply with this requirement will result in a major non-conformity.
Transferring to/from another certification company:
When a major non-conformance has been raised or if your organisation is on probation, you may not transfer your certification to another accredited certification company.
In order to understand our program, you should also access and be aware of the following documents:
· G-00: Client Pack
· MSP-00: Introduction to our Management Systems
· MSP-01: Nomenclature and Definitions
· MSP-24 Appeals
