I heard a rumor that quality control must be separate from any other department under the TS rules. Currently, our QC dept reports to Manufacturing Dept Management. Any thoughts would be helpful. We haven't had problems with this structure in the past with QS-9000.
Is this rumor true?

Everyone has to report to someone, I thindk what is looked for here is the degree of independence that quality is able to excersize.

Personally it always concerns me when quality reports to manufacturing.

James

Hi Lee, we're ISO/TS registered through LRQA. Our QC department, which is responsible for final testing reports to the VP of Production. Our QA department, which is responsible for the overall quality system reports directly to the president. We're a small company - about 165 people spread over 3 plantswith 100 + being at our headquarters location.
In your instance, is QC responsible for the quality system, or just a test function? ISO/TS requires a member of management be appointed as a representive of/for the quality system. (Actually a direct carryover from the ISO 9001:2000 requirements expressed in section 5.5.2 of that standard. Hope that the info helps a bit.

I heard a rumor that quality control must be separate from any other department under the TS rules. Currently, our QC dept reports to Manufacturing Dept Management. Any thoughts would be helpful. We haven't had problems with this structure in the past with QS-9000.
Is this rumor true?
I have not heard this one. But it is not supported anywhere in the TS2k document, nor any CSR document that I have seen. So, I would not be too concerned with it. Just keep in mind the requirements of TS paragraph 5.5.1.1 - Responsibility for quality.

One would hope that the concept of micromanaging suppliers is fading away...

In your instance, is QC responsible for the quality system, or just a test function? ISO/TS requires a member of management be appointed as a representive of/for the quality system.

Our QC Dept is only responsible for first article and in-process inspection. It stops there. I am the QA Mgr / Mgmt Rep and report directly to Exec Mgmt. I do not have anyone reporting to me. I'm the QA Dept, which is basically managing/enforcing the QA System. The person that got me worried (the rumor) was reading waayyy too deep into the spec. Sorry for all the chatter.

Thanks All!
Lee :o

It could just be someone misinterpreting "independent" for "separate." There is a world of difference between the two. I, for one, have seen many "separate" entities which were not "independent." I have seen many more GOOD ORGANIZATIONS were all Quality decisions were independent of undue influence regardless of the corporate relationships.