IATF16949 7.5.3.2.1 Record Retention - Our Product or Customer Product?

[DariusPlumdon]

Can anyone clarify the interpretation of the IATF16949 7.5.3.2.1 Record Retention wording.

If we have a product that we discontinued (say 1st January 2018) but the customer is planning to use until (say 1st January 2023), how does clause 7.5.3.2.1 apply:

Assuming there is no special customer agreement in place....

1) Do we have to keep the records for 1 year from 1st January 2018 (when we discontinued the product), OR

2) Do we have to keep the records for 1 year from 1st January 2023 (when the customer discontinued the product)

I know the longer the records is kept the 'safer' we are, but would like to know what the minimum requirement is.

 

[Johnny Quality]

Darius,

I would say the correct interpretation would be 1) unless you have service requirements to your customer as you will have no production requirements from 1st January 2018.

I'd say ask your customer, but they'd either say 2) or "forever"