QS 9000

Effective since 1994, QS-9000 is an Industry Specific application developed by the big three automotive manufacturers (DaimlerChrysler, Ford, and GM), to harmonize the Quality Systems requirements by providing one common quality system for suppliers. QS-9000 has also been adopted as the standard by many truck OEM's such as Freightliner Corp., Mack Trucks, PACCAR Inc., Volvo GM Heavy Trucks, and Navistar International, to mention a few.

QS-9000 is a supplement to ISO 9000:1994 with additional requirements for each ISO 9001 element. The objective of QS-9000 is to develop a fundamental quality system aimed at continuous improvement, prevention of nonconformance, and scrap and rework reduction at suppliers. QS-9000 is supported by a set of additional manuals issued by the AIAG (PPAP, APQP, MSA, FMEA, SPC).

In April 2002, representatives of the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) and the International Automotive Oversight Bureau (IAOB) announced that QS-9000:1998 will be phased out, no longer being valid after December 15, 2006, and will be replaced with the new ISO/TS 16949:2002 standard.

QS-9000 Transition
Beginning the transition, any new or renewed QS-9000 certificates issued after July 1, 2002 will no longer reference the ISO 9001:1994 or ISO 9002:1994 standards, other than: "Registered to QS-9000:1998 (Based on and including ISO 9001:1994)" or "Registered to QS-9000:1998 (Based on and including ISO 9002:1994)". All QS-9000 certificates with dates extending beyond December 15, 2003 shall comply with this wording by December 15, 2003.

All QS-9000:1998 certificates can not reference ISO 9001:2008. QS-9000:1998 has not been updated to reflect the ISO 9001:2008 standard and a separate ISO 9001:2008 certification and certificate is required.

In addition, with the transition period ending December 15, 2006, QS-9000:1998 certificates shall not show an ending date later than December 14, 2006. Note: the current version of QS-9000 (TE supplement) and the current version of the semiconductor supplement to QS-9000 shall also remain in effect until December 14, 2006.

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