I guess I'm unclear about the Chrysler (Daimler?) interpretation of the term "Needs Improvement" in this clause:
4.1.8 Certification Body/Registrar Notification (ISO/TS 16949 cl. 4.1.1.2)
- A supplier shall notify their certification body/registrar in writing within five (5) working days when a customer places the site in the "Needs Improvement" category.
I don't recall that wording in TS 16949. I do, however, NOW recall (after consulting old notes) that there was some discussion about a "Major" not being declared unless and until the client (object of the audit) had failed to provide a satisfactory solution to a non-conformance. Issues that were deemed "drastic" [my word - not TS 16949] would probably mean terminating the audit in midstream - no findings reported.
5.11 Nonconformity management
Change Summary
5.11.1
The CB shall require client response to nonconformities within 60 days,
including evidence of correction; root cause methodology, analysis and results;
systemic corrective action; and verification of effectiveness.
5.11.2
If a nonconformance is not closed in 90 days, the audit result is deemed
failed and the IATF database is updated. This means that new clients are not
certified (and existing clients have their certificate immediately withdrawn) and
shall start over with stage 1 & 2. In exceptional cases where implementation of
corrective actions cannot be completed within 90 days from the end of the
audit, the CB shall consider the nonconformity ?open but 100% resolved? if
the issue has been contained, an acceptable action plan with implementation
evidence has been submitted, an on-site follow-up visit prior to next audit has
been scheduled, and records for the justification of the situation are maintained
by the CB.
All nonconformances shall be reviewed at the subsequent visit. If not effectively
implemented, the CB shall issue a major nonconformance against the corrective
action process and reissue a major nonconformance against the repeat issue.
I guess some real world clarity is needed here. Do we have accurate data from OP? Where is the "Customer Representative" for each customer who is supposed to be the front man in communicating to and from the customer? Isn't it the Customer Representative's responsibility to know intimately what each customer under his purview requires in the way of notification and communication?