For Chinese automotive suppliers, holding a China ISO/TS 16949 certificate is usually a prerequisite for making overseas sales, at least when working with leading automobile manufacturers.
The industry places much emphasis on possessing the certificate, which is issued when a company’s quality management system is deemed to meet requirements of the ISO/TS 16949:2009 standard.
If you’re looking for a world-class Chinese automotive supplier, ensuring that they hold a valid China ISO/TS 16949 certificate is an excellent first step.
What is a China ISO/TS 16949 Certificate?
Although ISO 9001 is the best known standard for quality management, it isn’t the only one. Certain industries also have their own standards and for the automotive industry, this is ISO/TS 16949.
The ISO/TS 16949:2009 standard was developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), which was formed by a group of major automotive manufacturers including BMW Group and Chrysler Group.
It is actually based on ISO 9001:2008 but has a number of additional requirements, including stricter requirements for control of documents, training and production requirements.
Below is an example of a China ISO/TS 16949 certificate issued by the certification body CASC.
What Information is Contained in a China ISO/TS 16949 Certificate?
First thing to note is that Chinese suppliers certified to this standard will usually receive a copy of their certificate in both Chinese and in English.
The appearance of China ISO/TS 16949 certificates varies depending on the certification body they were issued by, however each certificate should contain the following information about the certificate holder:
- Company name & applicable address(es)
- Standard number (i.e. ISO/TS 16949:2009)
- Scope of certification (including any exclusions)
- Certificate number (a unique IATF registration is usually also included)
- Validity period
In addition, the certificate should also provide information about the certification body that issued it, including:
- Certification body name and logo
- Name and signature of the cetificate approver
- The IATF logo
Who Issues a China ISO/TS 16949 Certificate?
All ISO/TS 16949 certificates should be issued by certification bodies accredited by IATF and these organizations are listed on their website.
Beijing-based China Jiuding Automotive Supplier Certifications Co., Ltd. (a.k.a. CASC) is the only Chinese certification body that issues ISO/TS 16949 certificates, although other international bodies that issued the certificate also operate in China.
Who Uses the China ISO/TS 16949 Certificate?
As the ISO/TS 16949 standard is specific to the automotive industry, it goes without saying that is used by companies in the automotive industry. But if you are thinking that it is only applicable to the companies manufacturing vehicles or key components, then think again.
There are over 20,000 ISO/TS 16949 certified Chinese companies, supplying all manner of components used in the automotive industry such as adhesives, plastic fasteners, micro switches and o-rings.
Holding this certificate (or at least claiming to) means that Chinese suppliers can win more business and enhance the customer confidence in their product quality.
How to Verify a China ISO/TS 16949 Certificate?
Once you have established that the certificate has been issued by an IATF-accredited body, it may be possible to contact that body directly or search on their website to verify a China ISO/TS 16949 certificate.
Another option is to utilize China Checkup’s verification expertise by choosing our convenient Certificate Verification service for a China ISO/TS 16949 Certificate. Let us do the groundwork and get a result you can be confident in, freeing up your time for more valuable tasks.
