Hey gang, I have a job interview tomorrow night for a QM position at a large automotive supplier who is QS9000 and ISO14001. My experience has strictly been with ISO. I have a few quick questions I was hoping you all could enlighten me on.

1) Is there a QS9000 upgrade/transition similar to the ISO 2000 rev? If so, when does the tranistion have to be completed by?

2) In a nutshell, what does ISO14001 encompass? I know it has to to with environmental issues, but is it structured similar to ISO 9000?

Any help you guys have would be much appreciated, I want to go into the interview with at least an idea of what I may be getting myself into!!!

Thanks again,

Jason

1) The QS9000 upgrade is the ISO/TS 16949:2002; get a copy because the format changed in line with ISO:1994 to 2000. QS9000 expires 12/14/2006.

2) ISO14001 is indeed the environmental standard. Most companies incorporate its requirements into their QMS.

I believe TS 16949 has replaced the QS9000 standard. I am not sure how it is structured though, so I would not want to draw a comparison with ISO 9001:2000. Correct me if I am wrong as my automotive days have long since passed.

The ISO 14001:1996 standard is structured like ISO 9001:2000. I believe the two standards were intended to be integrated (which is what we have done). Some common elements and opportunities for integration are:

 Training
 System documentation
 Document control
 System audits
 Corrective and preventive action
 Management review

Good luck!

The info Rob Nix gave above is correct, but DaimlerChrysler has mandated certification to ISO/TS 16949:2002 by July of 2004 for their suppliers. TS 16949 has the entire text of ISO 9001:2000 included, plus the additional automotive requirements (there are many). Also, TS 16949 requires compliance with customer specific requirements. You can find and download Ford, DaimlerChrysler, and GM requirements here:
http://www.iaob.org/oem_req.html

Thanks Howste for the additional information. I wanted to add more (basically all that you said) but I had to rush to a meeting - just got back.