Is it a supplier's responsibility to send updated Certifications automatically?

[lday38]

My suppliers don' send me their updated ISO, TS 16949,A2LA certification automaticlly. I send mine to my customer. When I asked oen supplier, they said well we have lots of customers -it is available on our web site.
I would love to hear how you all handle outdated certs? Running lean it is a problem having total responsibility for it. How do I get them to coperate?

 

[Howard Atkins]

This is a real problem especially at audit time.
This is in one sense a waste of effort but on the other hand how do you know otherwise.

Some registarars issued certificates not limited by time and you had to check if they were in force

Any good ideas

 

[Pataha]

Is it a clause in your Supplier Agreement?

 

[ddunn]

What about setting up a simple database to track supplier certification update requirements. This would be the same type of database used for tracking calibration requirements.

Let the database tell you when it's time to request a certification update.

 

[Kevin H]

We got caught by the same issue during a customer audit - we currently do an annual review of supplier's, and added the supplier certification date into the spreadsheet we use as part of supplier review.

 

[leanne - 2009]

None of my current customer base requires us to send in updated copies of our registration certificate as we are re-cert'd. If they ask for it, we provide a copy.

As far as I am aware, we do not require our suppliers to submit updated copies of their registrations as they re-cert. We ask for them when the supplier goes through a periodic supplier assessment.

 

[lday38]

written requirements and electonic tracking

Yes, I have written in the supplier requirements furnished to our suppliers, it is their responsibility to forward an update as it is to let us know if it is revoked. I also have a database set up fliemaker pro that lists the exp date of their cert. My problem seems to be I'm so busy that I dont have time to check it. I made a macro to check the date , now I just need to have time to go look at the date. This actually was in place but it has been several months scince I checked. Luckily for me this was caught on an internal audit. How do you say the root cause is I dont have the time?

 

[RoxaneB]

As a few others who have replied do, my organization reviews the certificates' expiration dates during our biannual review of our suppliers. Our spreadsheet of approved vendors also contains the method of how the vendor made it on to the list. If the method was registration to a recognized QMS, we list the Registrar, Cert #, original registration date, and expiration date of current certificate. If the expiration date is within the next few months or is past due, they are contacted for an up-to-date and valid certificate for our files.

 

[Don Palmer]

Here's a form I send to suppliers

Here's a form that I use. Maybe not the best, but gets results.

EDIT: Additionally, I don't mind getting directed to a supplier's website for copy of current certificate. The majority of my customers don't mind updating their supplier files on my company in the same manner. It's all maintained in current status on our website.

I use my printer ink and time to gather updates from my suppliers as much as possible. The majority of my customers are willing to do the same.

I figure if I make my suppliers do too much paperwork (overhead), they'll have to jack up their prices. If they've taken the time to publish quality documents and (maintain current) certifications on the web, they might be trying to reduce waste. I'd rather pay myself for papermill processes when offered the opportunity. I can help myself (self-service) I save money and cut some waste too. Think about it.