Quality Management Systems for China Automotive Suppliers
1 resources tagged with "Quality Management"
For automotive components, quality management means IATF 16949 — the auto-industry standard built on ISO 9001 with added requirements like PPAP, APQP, and FMEA. A Chinese factory claiming IATF 16949:2016 certification should be able to produce a PPAP package (typically Level 3 for new automotive parts) showing dimensional results, material certs, and process capability. The common gap is a factory that holds a certificate for one production area but runs your specific part on an uncertified line.
When you source automotive parts, IATF 16949 plus a PPAP submission is the evidence that quality is managed, not asserted. We confirm the certificate's scope actually covers your part and process, and that the factory can deliver the PPAP level your program requires rather than just waving the certificate.
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FAQ
What is PPAP and which level do I need?
PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) is the documentation package proving a part meets requirements. Levels range 1–5 by how much you submit; Level 3 — sample parts plus full supporting data — is the common default for new automotive parts.
How do I verify a Chinese factory's IATF 16949 certificate?
Check the certificate against the issuing registrar's online database and confirm the scope covers your part type and production site. A valid certificate for a different process area does not cover your part.
What does an IATF 16949 factory audit cost?
Third-party audits vary by scope and travel, but a focused on-site automotive supplier audit typically runs into the low thousands of USD. That's small against the cost of a field failure on a safety-related part.
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