Quality Management & Training

June 01 2024 – Can you integrate IATF 16949 with ISO 45001 & 14001?

If it is YES PLEASE see how you go about it:

Some of the difficulties is that the internal audit and management review becomes unwieldy and can lack focus. Addressing the various requirements with policies and procedures is reasonably straight forward.

The IATF 16949 QMS permits integration with other relevant management systems.

 

Example:

IATF 16949, clause 7.1.4 Environment for the operation of processes (abbreviated)

The organisation shall determine, provide and maintain the environment necessary for the operation of its processes and to achieve conformity of products and services.NOTE. Where third-party certification to ISO 45001 (or equivalent) is recognised, it may be used to demonstrate the organisation’s conformity to the personnel safety aspects of this requirement.’

Annex SL

Annex SL was introduced by ISO in 2015 to facilitate the integration of management systems.  It applies to all management system standards (MSS) developed by ISO.  The key features of Annex SL are:

    • High-level Structure (comprising 10 sections)
    • Identical core text
    • Common terms and definitions

The aims of Annex SL are:

    • To recognise the commonality which exists across MSS which have different themes, such as quality, H&S, environment, etc.
    • To avoid confusion and duplication of effort

ISO create individual MSS by adding requirements and text to the Annex SL structure.

IATF have also adopted the Annex SL structure and have added requirements to ISO 9001 to meet the specific needs of the automotive industry.  (IATF 16949 is a supplement to ISO 9001 and not a standalone standard.)

Within an integrated management system, there will be a common approach to implementing the ten core sections of the High-level Structure, with additional system elements included for quality, H&S, and environmental.

 

Example:

Ref. IATF 16949, clause 7.2.3 Internal auditor competency (abbreviated)‘The organisation shall have a documented process to verify that internal auditors are competent, taking into account any customer-specific requirements.  For additional guidance on auditor competencies, refer to ISO 19011’

 

ISO 19011 ‘Guidelines for auditing management systems’ provides a common set of guidelines for auditing various management systems.

It is quite likely that an integrated system will include a management representative in the role of Quality, Health & Safety, and Environmental Manager, or perhaps Compliance Manager.