Tag: ISO 16949

Document Center recommends Standard MSA, Measurement Systems Analysis, for assessing the quality of a measurement system

MSA, “Measurement Analysis System,” is the widely referenced standard for measurement system quality.  Generated by the automotive industry, the standard presents guidelines for assessing the quality of a measurement system.  Currently it’s the 4th Edition, released in June of 2010, with an errata from the same month.

Its primary focus is measurement systems where the readings can be replicated on each part.  The standard helps the user analyze the collection of equipment, operations, procedures, software and personnel that affects the assignment of a number to a measurement characteristic.

If you need to plan and prepare a Measurement System Analysis (MSA) program and understand process variation and its impact, this standard is for you.  It will provide insight into organizational applications, categories of measurement system variation, and gage repeatability and reproducibility.

MSA has direct application to ISO/TS 16949:2002, “Quality management systems – Particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2008 for automotive production and relevant service part organizations,” as well.  So if you’re certifying to the ISO document, the MSA can provide practical information for meeting your requirements.

The MSA and ISO standards can be purchased from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or call us (650-591-7600), fax us (650-591-7617) or email us (info@document-center.com) your request.  We’re here to help you with your standards needs.

ISO/TS 16949 – Quality in the Automotive Industry

When ISO 9001, “Quality management systems — Requirements” was first released in 1987, it provided a platform on which to build a verifiable quality program in any business.  But over time, specific industries wanted to tailor the requirements to suit their particular needs.  Thus in 1999, ISO/TS 16949, “Quality management systems — Particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001 for automotive production and relevant service part organizations,” was issued.

The TS in the document number stands for Technical Specification.  This is a normative specification representing a level of technical consensus within an ISO committee.  It requires a consensus vote accepted by 66% of the committee members, rather than the 75% needed to create an ISO standard.

The current 2009 edition of the document includes the text of the ISO 9001:2008, with the paragraphs of the standard in boxed sections.  When needed, there is additional text providing additional commentary and requirements.  The convention in the document is that the word “shall” indicates a requirement.  The word “should” indicates a recommendation. Paragraphs marked “NOTE” are for guidance in understanding or clarifying the associated requirement.

ISO/TS 16949:2009 also includes an Appendix A, which covers Control Plans.  This includes both Phases of the control plan and Elements of the control plan.

The document has the support, and is copyrighted by, not only ISO but also ANFIA, FIEV, SMMT, VDA, and the companies Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corp., PSA Peugeot Citroen, and Renault.  It was written with the assistance of the International Automotive Task Force.

For automotive manufacturers and their supply chain, the ISO/TS 16949 remains a critical document for compliance with quality requirements in this industry.  The document, and all ISO standards, can be purchased from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Your questions and comments are welcome.