Register to ISO 9001 or QS-9000?

[JSmith]

I posted this message on the Documentation forum, but this forum may be more appropriate.

I have a question regarding QS / ISO registration and procedures. I apologize up front if this sounds a bit confusing. Here is my situation:
I work for a company that performs design and sales for our customers. We are not yet registered to QS or ISO. We currently subcontract all other functions / departments to another company. The subcontracted departments include manufacturing, human resources, purchasing, etc. The other company has been registered to QS 9000 for some time now.

The manufacturing plant is eventually going to be transferred to our company. The original plan was that we would be audited as a satellite location at the plants next surveillance audit. My management now wants to obtain registration prior to the manufacturing plant transfer. The problem is all my procedures that I have implemented are set up and in line with QS 9000.

1) Would it be ISO 9001 that we would be audited to?

2) Should I have procedures in place for when the manufacturing plant is transferred? (The same registrar is going to be used as in the manufacturing plant)

3) Will I have to reformat all procedures to be in line with the ISO Standard?

Thank you in advance for any comments / suggestions.

 

[Al Dyer]

Automotive - QS
Non-Automotive - ISO

ASD...

 

[JSmith]

Al, Thanks for the response

We are an automotive supplier so I assume QS. Would the auditor omit the elements that apply to the manufacturing plant, purchasing, etc. since it is subcontracted?

 

[Al Dyer]

Originally posted by JSmith:
Al, Thanks for the response

We are an automotive supplier so I assume QS. Would the auditor omit the elements that apply to the manufacturing plant, purchasing, etc. since it is subcontracted?

No, all elements have to be addressed in some manner, even if subcontracted, your choice. 4.4 and 4.19 can be waived as stated in the QS book.

You can have multiple sites registered.

ASD...

 

[Dan Larsen]

Keep in mind that all of the elements that you subcontract are in effect covered by the purchasing element. For example, "All manufactured products to our designs shall be produced by subcontracted sources, and those sources shall maintain registration to QS-9000. The requirements for the manufactured products shall be clearly stated in purchasing documents."

As Al points out, you can't "opt out" of the clauses except for design and/or service (which, in fact, may well apply to you!)

I think your best bet is to wait until you integrate the two operations then audit the whole. Your registrar may have some ideas as well.