QS 9000

The major automobile manufacturers have had concerns about the quality assurance of their suppliers for years and individually developed standards to which their suppliers had to perform. Some suppliers found themselves in a situation of developing similar systems and documentation to satisfy slightly differing requirements of different automotive customers. This tended to add additional cost.

The automobile manufacturers got together to define a common set of requirements which could be placed on their suppliers. As there was already an established ISO 9000 standard and the principle of registration to ISO 9000 had already been proven, they based their standard on ISO 9000.

Their concern with ISO 9000 was that it represented a minimum standard of performance and there were many instances that they needed specific performance levels or additional activities. They took the actual wording of ISO 9000 and the added additional requirements to the standard. In addition, they added additional activities. For instance, they required specific systems for continuous improvement.

The result is a very comprehensive and often prescriptive standard. It goes beyond the 10 or so pages of ISO 9000 into a set of manuals covering many quality activities including statistical techniques, advanced product quality planning, FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis), and PPAP (production part approval process).

The standard has been designed to be quite rigid in its interpretation and application, and this sometimes causes problems for some suppliers, particularly smaller organizations. Like ISO 9000 the key is in the implementation, and it should be remembered that the automotive manufacturers are not requiring QS 9000 to add cost but seeking to add value to suppliers.

Cavendish Scott provides all types of training, consulting and assistance to companies wishing to develop systems in compliance with QS 9000.

Also See

Services and Standards Index

The Cavendish Scott Approach

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