Scope of Registration

[Dan De Yarman]

Is it possible to divide which products your QS-9000 TE Supplement registration covers? I know that QS is supposed to be just about a quality management system, but hear me out.

We manufacture and sell standard welders which cost significantly less (under $100,000.00) than do our fully designed and automated sytems (in excess of $4,000,000.00) To add all of the QS-9000 TE requirements to those (standard) machines would be very costly and inefficient. In the standard welder business, it is low cost that sells more than high technology.

Can anyone help me out here?

Thanks in advance,

Dan

 

[Marc]

As far as I know the answer is yes.

 

[barb butrym]

You need to be careful and clear, but you can tie it to your contract review. Ask your registrar for guideance.... Don't think the published/listed scope is the best place to put it for the best use of the TE registration

[This message has been edited by barb butrym (edited 05 December 1999).]

 

[Tom Goetzinger]

Remember that what you are addressing is a business system. I think you are asking for trouble to try and make it only apply to your more complex products.
We discovered (the help of a good consultant) that we were doing much of what we needed to do; we just weren't keeping evidence of some of it. Don't ignore the fact that quality plans and FMEAs can be done on a generic basis if appropriate; they become a lot less daunting when viewed that way.
Implementing the standard will cost you something up front, but I believe it will save you money in the not so distant future. You will identify opportunites for savings and improvements during your process.
It is critical that you have the support of management and that they are willing to give the project more than lip service. Without that commitment, your chances of success drop significantly.
Again, its only my opinion, but I think you would be doing a big disservice to your company to limit yourself to only applying the standard to complex products. I'd be temped to start on the more standard products and you will see how much of what you do applies to the more complex.

 

[Sean D Bannister]

Dan,
I have to agree with Tom on all points. Our company has this diversity of product, from small batches at $5000 a piece to bespoke assembly machines > $1,000,000 a piece. You do have to accommodate minor differences in your systems but I think this is more beneficial than restricting your scope. I word of warning also in preparation for ISO9000:2000, as I believe this may also effect your decision.
Sean

 

[Dan De Yarman]

Sean,

What exactly are you refering to in the ISO9000:2000 standard? I have a draft copy of the standard from the training class I attended earlier this year. It appears that we can differentiate between the products.

Perhaps this next question belongs in a different topic. Will I have to follow ISO9000:2000, even though the structure of the standard is different from the current QS and TE Supplement standard?

Dan

 

[Sean D Bannister]

Dan,
I'm not referring to any particular part of the standard. Last week at a ISO/DIS 9000:2000 seminar I attended, it was said that the rules for application of scope had not yet been defined by the committee (TC176).
With respect to changes in ISO9000:2000 on QS9000, it was indicated that the AIAG may follow suit but no timescale was confirmed.
I don't know if this has already been discussed in a different forum?
Regards,
Sean

 

[barb butrym]

Beware of courses that address things that have not yet been decieded...I personally feel its too early for such a course to be of great value. the vote of the registration bodies is still out on the intrepretations, they have a wait and see approach themselves and will not commit.

I agree with Tom, define the requirement..don't change the scope

[This message has been edited by barb butrym (edited 10 December 1999).]