TS16949 Certification withdrawn - What should be included in a formal appeal request?

[therb]

I started March 1, 2011 as a Quality Engineer for a small manufacturing facility. Long story short: Three weeks after I started the Quality Manager was let go. We were scheduled for our Surveillance Audit the first week of April. Being new and preparing for this audit I realized that the company's certification was in suspension because there are 10 open non-conformance issues dating back to 2010. We had 1 major and 4 minor non-conformances issued at the Surveillance Audit in April. We had an Audit Review this past week for all 14 open issues when our certification was withdrawn. Management will appeal with the registrar. My question: What should be included in a formal appeal request? If the appeal is denied, do we have to start from scratch with another registrar for certification? I am sure the registrar's auditor has a negative history with this company as was evident in my trying to work with him during these audits. I know that the company has tried for over a year to have a different auditor. I feel that we have made great improvements in the non-conformance areas, but not enough evidence for the auditor himself. Any input will be helpful.

 

[John Broomfield]

Re: TS16949 Certification withdrawn.

therb,

Focus not on the Appeal but on top management (TM) getting their management system right and quickly.

Delaying effective corrective action with an Appeal does not send a message of TM commitment to the workforce (not that you necessarily are delaying but consider the perception).

How about a complete change of tactics. TM gets serious about quality and stops blaming the now fired Quality Manager but asks the Registrar for a new auditor instead?

A fresh start for everyone led from the top!

You may even end up with a management system that helps everyone concerned to determine and meet requirements (beyond the requirements of any auditor).

John

 

[qusys]

Re: TS16949 Certification withdrawn.

I started March 1, 2011 as a Quality Engineer for a small manufacturing facility. Long story short: Three weeks after I started the Quality Manager was let go. We were scheduled for our Surveillance Audit the first week of April. Being new and preparing for this audit I realized that the company's certification was in suspension because there are 10 open non-conformance issues dating back to 2010. We had 1 major and 4 minor non-conformances issued at the Surveillance Audit in April. We had an Audit Review this past week for all 14 open issues when our certification was withdrawn. Management will appeal with the registrar. My question: What should be included in a formal appeal request? If the appeal is denied, do we have to start from scratch with another registrar for certification? I am sure the registrar's auditor has a negative history with this company as was evident in my trying to work with him during these audits. I know that the company has tried for over a year to have a different auditor. I feel that we have made great improvements in the non-conformance areas, but not enough evidence for the auditor himself. Any input will be helpful.

From what you said, it seems that top mgmt do not believe too much in ISO TS certification.
I do advice to make a new attempt , starting from scratch, by changing the Registrar. I do not see any other alternatives.
Your mgmt could appeal but , given that there too many ncn, it seems so difficult to get a reason. However you have the pulse of the situation for the best decision.
Try to get a new certification with a new registrar

 

[Sidney Vianna]

Re: TS16949 Certification withdrawn.

My question: What should be included in a formal appeal request? ....SNIP....Any input will be helpful.

The appeal should include the objective evidence you have to disprove the validity of the auditor's findings (including the non-conformities). Keep in mind that, if the certification has been withdrawn, the recommendation for the certificate to be revoked has been reviewed and approved by the CB's technical management group.

So, it seems to me that this is a waste of your time. I doubt the CB would reassess the NC's, the suspension and the certificate withdrawal. Also, keep in mind that the IATF-led ISO/TS 16949 certification program is HIGHLY scrutinized. So, I doubt that the CB would revert their decision, if they had objective evidence that led to your certificate being revoked.

It seems to me that your organization will have to start from scratch again. If it will be the same CB or another one, it is up to your leadership to make that decision, but, if, as John said, top management is not involved with the QMS, your future certificate's life cycle might be abruptly interrupted again.