IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3 are an organization that deals with two separate processes related to an organization.
IATF 16949 deals with mainly the document process of a quality management system. VDA 6.3 deals with the process conducted by that organization in production.
IATF 16949 is an international organization. They also set the standards for the Automotive industry. They follow proper rules and regulations. They also maintain the documentation. These requirements should be met by the organizations to get affiliated with IATF. They play an important role in the international market.
VDA 6.3 is the part where the process gets tested. As the IAFT 16949 tests, all kinds of documents VDA 6.3 check all other processes concerning that production.
The process of the product and the suppliers of the parts of that product. The formation of the parts is also tested.
Key Takeaways
- IATF 16949 is an international quality management standard for the automotive industry, while VDA 6.3 is a German process audit standard specifically for automotive suppliers.
- IATF 16949 focuses on quality management system requirements, while VDA 6.3 evaluates individual processes within a supplier’s organization.
- Companies seeking to work with global automotive manufacturers may need to be certified in IATF 16949, while German automotive companies may require VDA 6.3 certification.
IATF 16949 vs VDA 6.3
IATF 16949 is a standard for quality management systems that adds specific requirements for the automotive industry, including customer-specific requirements and product safety. VDA 6.3 is a process audit standard based on identifying potential risks and improvements in production process.
IATF 16949 plays a role in maintaining the quality of the products in the automotive industry. They keep in check certain properties of the product example, quality, maintenance, etc.
They also ensure a reduction in waste and variations. They are working based on the requirement of the final products.
VDA 6.3 plays the role information of the product. They keep in check all other processes that are connected to that product.
They focus on the requirements based on the quality of the process. They also look for the parts supplied in the process of production.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | IATF 16949 | VDA 6.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | Quality products of the automotive industry are the key requirement of this affiliation | Quality of the process is the main requirement of this affiliation |
| Fields | This is based on automotive industries but only concerns the document and final product | This is a process-based audit for the automotive industries |
| Focus | Focuses on many things which enclose quality of product, customer-specific supply, etc. | Focus on the process of the product as well as its parts |
| Structure | This follows the structure of IOS | This is based on the IOS system as well but have a different process from that of IATF 16949 |
| Established | 1999 by International Automotive Task Force | 2016 by Verband der Automobilindustrie |
What is IATF 16949?
IATF stands for International Automotive Task Force. They published a way of certification, especially for the automotive industry.
This policy is established to keep products in quality check. IATF along, with IOS, published this process of IATF 16949. They also establish an international stand for the organization.
IATF is not a stand one document. It is dependent on IOS and also borrows the structure of working. But this focuses on quality management in the automotive industry.
This specific certification of IATF 16949 made the quality and many other properties of automotive industries more reliable.
IATF 16949 only focuses on the document and products. They don’t take into account the process. They don’t play any role in parts production and the final products.
There are many fundamental requirements of IATF 16949 to get a certification, along with documentation.
IATF 16949 certifications are done through a particular process. Conducting an IATF 16949 Gap Analysis, implementation project, training, documentation, implementation of QMS, etc., ultimately, will lead to certification.
This certificate is to be renewed every three years.
What is VDA 6.3?
VDA refers to Verband der Automobilindustrie, who proposed the idea of VDA 6.3. This association formed the guidelines for automotive industries.
They formed all the standards in automotive industries and OEM requirements. They focus on the standardization of the process.
This is a process-based audit standard verification process. This is a process-based audit that controls the quality of the process through which the product is made.
This is all about the procedure through which the product goes through. This focuses on the life cycle of the product.
VDA 6.3 looks for the left out areas which IATF 16949 misses out. They look after all kinds of processes that take place in the life cycle of the product. VDA 6.3 acts as an extension of IATF 16949.
They focus on regulations, standards, assessing and managing risks. This process-based audit standard is for a standard line for the process of the product.
VDA 6.3 is not limited to the process of products only. But they extend their requirements to the process of the parts of that product as well.
They help to keep the organizations producing a standard product with a standard process. They help to keep the process healthy.
Main Differences Between IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3
- IATF 16949 was published by International Automotive Task Force, and VDA 6.3 was published by Verband der Automobilindustrie.
- IATF 16949 looks for the products more while VDA 6.3 is more process-based requirements for certification.
- IATF 16949 was all about the development of a product in the automotive industry. VDA 6.3 was formed to make the process more developed.
- IATF 16949 helps to secure the international market in the automotive industry. VDA 6.3 helps in achieving IATF 16949 by giving a proper process and a quality product.
- IATF 16949 helps in improving the product and presentation of its document. VDA 6.3 helps in the improvement of the inside process.
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-65675-5_8
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/23311975.2021.2016096
- https://www.izdanja.smeits.rs/index.php/ptk/article/download/5008/5205
- https://osuva.uwasa.fi/handle/10024/9301
Last Updated : 19 July, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
