Compliance standards such as ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 are some of the most important processes companies should follow to ensure quality manufacturing. If a company doesn’t take these standards seriously, it can be catastrophic in terms of brand reputation and financial losses. That’s why it’s crucial for companies to fully understand the requirements of these standards and implement systems to ensure compliance with them—especially when it comes to ISO 9001 audits and IATF 16949 audits . Companies need to work together with their suppliers in order to maintain the highest level of quality standards.
Understand the risk of poor quality
Poor quality can lead to many problems, such as defects or safety issues. This is where an ISO 9001 audit or IATF 16949 audit can be extremely beneficial. An ISO 9001 audit is a certification issued by a third party based on the company’s adherence to the internationally recognized standards. It provides evidence that the company has shown a commitment to excellence in product quality, customer satisfaction, and continual improvement of its processes. An IATF 16949 audit is a similar certification that applies specifically to the automotive industry. If you’re looking for ways to ensure quality manufacturing with your products, these audits are great ways to start!
Set expectations with your vendors and partners
It is important for you to set expectations with your vendors and partners from the very beginning. If your vendor or partner does not have an established quality management system, it may be a good idea to start by getting them on board with international standards such as ISO9001 or the International Association for Trading Standards’ (IATF) 16949. This will help ensure that you are getting what you pay for, that the goods are safe, reliable, of good quality and meet customer needs. It will also help you know where to go if there is a problem.
Put in place processes to monitor, control and manage quality
- Create a documented quality policy
- Establish a quality control team
- Establish a system for managing customer feedback
- Train employees on quality standards and expectations
- Perform annual audits with an external auditor to determine if the company is meeting requirements
Select vendors who are focused on your needs
When it comes to sourcing a manufacturing partner, the team at Blue Sphere is committed to making sure that you get exactly what you need. As such, we offer two types of audits that can be requested when looking for suppliers: an ISO 9001 audit or an IATF 16949 audit. With either type of audit, we will conduct a thorough assessment of the manufacturer’s processes and products, evaluating quality control systems in place for both the product itself and for the company’s other areas of operation.
Regularly communicate about quality issues
Quality is fundamental to the success of any company. Communication, transparency, and regularity are the keys to successful manufacturing. Communicate often with your suppliers on any quality issues they have encountered or encountered in the past. If you have found a solution to a previous issue that you would like others in your industry know about, share it with them too.
Being transparent may create some tension at first, but it will help build trust and respect between you and your suppliers in the long run. Regularly audit your supplier’s quality records by obtaining certification from such entities as ISO 9001 or IATF 16949. Make sure that their processes are aligned with yours so that you don’t end up needing two different audits for two different sets of standards.
Wrapping up
Quality manufacturing begins with the quality of the materials being sourced. This is why ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 audits are so important to ensure there are no issues with sourcing. Along with these assessments, manufacturers must also maintain a quality culture in the organization that includes training, education, best practices, inspections, measuring process performance, and developing an ongoing improvement program.