Approved Supplier List and Subcontractor Development

I have two questions regarding subcontractors:

1. Do subcontrators supplying prototype materials / product need to be listed on our approved supplier list?

2. Do these subcontractors that supply prototype materials / product fall under the sanctioned interpretations: Purchasing
C9 - Supplier Development (4.6.2.1)"goal of subcontractor compliance" requires subcontractors to achieve compliance within a defined period not to exceed 18 months from the effective date of this sanctioned interpretation.

I am aware that the definition of subcontractor in the Glossary is of one providing production materials, or production or service parts.

Could this be considered an "out" for my subcontractor?

Thanks in advance

[JRKH]

Please define "prototype materials/product". Are these materials used in any product you manufacture? Are these prototypes of items you may be intending to purchase?

Just from what you have stated I think these vendors do have to be on the approved vendors list.

James

------------------
Low tech is better than no tech.

This particular subcontractor machines some of the components that make up our prototype parts. They do not supply us with any production materials or products used in production. I hope this clarifies.

They are performing service for you, so I would say yes they need to be on the list.

tim

"if it moves, train it...if it doesn't move, calibrate it...if it isn't written down, it never happened"

[Linda Jurasin]

We are QS9000 w T/E certified company, regarding the interpretations dated 7/1/01, if some of our subcontractors are distributors, (the products they distribute are manufactured by ISO certified companies) do the distributors need to be ISO certified within the next 18 months? Also since we are T/E, do our subcontractors need to be ISO within the next 18 months or can we continue developing the subcontractors as we were doing in the past?

[tomvehoski]

Originally posted by Linda Jurasin:
We are QS9000 w T/E certified company, regarding the interpretations dated 7/1/01, if some of our subcontractors are distributors, (the products they distribute are manufactured by ISO certified companies) do the distributors need to be ISO certified within the next 18 months? Also since we are T/E, do our subcontractors need to be ISO within the next 18 months or can we continue developing the subcontractors as we were doing in the past?

To answer your second question first, you will have to comply with the 18 month rule - the interpretations apply to QS and QS/TE requirements.

I would also lean towards saying that you will have to have distributors ISO certified. Even though the product may be made by an ISO company, the distributor is still affecting the quality (delivery, undamaged, correct parts, etc.). Even if the manufacturer has the best quality system in the world and has never made a bad part, it does you no good if the distributor sends you a box of broken parts three weeks late.

Tom

[monkey]

So what's everyone's opinion of this change?
Do they really expect all the little companies to not say "bite me"? This is going to raise the cost parts, which the automotive companies will end up paying for.
Do you all think that things might change for the better over the next 18 months, especially with everybody screaming about this? Any input is appreciated.

[matthew evans]

It sounds like we are all in the same boat. We have a number of small one-man compamy's that we contract design hours too. I doubt weather they will go the expense of gaining accreditation to ISO 9001:2000. The problem being that we rely on them at times if we get busy.

What is the answer?