IATF 16949 Clause 8.7.1.7 Nonconforming Product Disposition - Scrap Rendered Unusable

[Scanton]

Trust me, it wouldn't take long to rust. We have enough trouble keeping these parts rust free as is (we're not allowed to use inhibitors).

I know it is a little off topic, but have you tried using Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors like Zerust Bags? We have had a lot of success with them here and they are surprising cost effective. We initially used Cortec VpCI bags (which were a customer specific requirement for an order) which introduced us to the world of VCI bags, however they were considerably more expensive than the Zerust ones we use now.

 

[Nicholas K.]

QUESTION 1:

What is the intent and requirements for "rendering unusable" prior to disposal? When and where does the "rendering unusable" of product need to occur?

ANSWER 1:

The intent is to ensure that the product cannot find its way into the unofficial aftermarket, onto a road vehicle, or accidentally shipped to the customer.
The process of rendering nonconforming product unusable, does not have to occur in the manufacturing area as long as the product is rendered unusable prior to final disposal.

The company I work for has deemed final disposal the scrap bin outside that the plants scrap from lines ends up in. It is "compacted" when it is half full and full (twice) by a really heavy electro magnet. Another area in our plant that receives scrap compacts it into cubes. We have a sign off sheet to show when this is done and it is audited during our LPA's, This was our accepted fix to a N/C that originally had people in the plant trying to "render scrap unusable." So basically we changed our internal wording/process on "final disposal" and verify it is being crushed in this bin before leaving our site. Hope this helps or inspires an idea.

 

[IvanHF]

I know it is a little off topic, but have you tried using Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors like Zerust Bags? We have had a lot of success with them here and they are surprising cost effective. We initially used Cortec VpCI bags (which were a customer specific requirement for an order) which introduced us to the world of VCI bags, however they were considerably more expensive than the Zerust ones we use now.

When I said we're not allowed to use inhibitors I meant liquid ones. We experimented with them in the past and they caused the parts to become too "sticky" and pick up dirt/dust. We do use VCI paper to inhibit rust formation and have found it to be reasonably effective.

 

[IvanHF]

QUESTION 1:
...So basically we changed our internal wording/process on "final disposal" and verify it is being crushed in this bin before leaving our site. Hope this helps or inspires an idea.

Unfortunately the parts we make are washers, and as such it takes a lot to substantially damage them such that they would be unusable. Compacting them would have basically no effect, hence why I am hoping rusting them would be adequate.

 

[Golfman25]

QUESTION 1:

What is the intent and requirements for "rendering unusable" prior to disposal? When and where does the "rendering unusable" of product need to occur?

ANSWER 1:

The intent is to ensure that the product cannot find its way into the unofficial aftermarket, onto a road vehicle, or accidentally shipped to the customer.
The process of rendering nonconforming product unusable, does not have to occur in the manufacturing area as long as the product is rendered unusable prior to final disposal.

The company I work for has deemed final disposal the scrap bin outside that the plants scrap from lines ends up in. It is "compacted" when it is half full and full (twice) by a really heavy electro magnet. Another area in our plant that receives scrap compacts it into cubes. We have a sign off sheet to show when this is done and it is audited during our LPA's, This was our accepted fix to a N/C that originally had people in the plant trying to "render scrap unusable." So basically we changed our internal wording/process on "final disposal" and verify it is being crushed in this bin before leaving our site. Hope this helps or inspires an idea.

So here's the thing I think the auditors/IATF miss. For us component manufacturers there is no unofficial aftermarket and you couldn't possibly attach it to a road vehicle. So that's leaves accidentally shipped to the customer -- which has always been a concern with non-conforming material. Most of us have made scrap bins and the like work for years. In those cases "rendering unusable" becomes a completely valueless exercise. Pitching in the scrap bin and having the recycler pick up works fine.