As far as I am concerned, there will be no QS updating to the 2000 version of ISO 9001. The one that will be updated is ISO 16949.
This is why General motors is encouranging suppliers to go for ISO 16949 instead of QS 9000 in the next surveillance audit they have. For more info check [1] and [2]
I would recommend you to go for ISO 16949, instead of QS9000, it looks that soon or late you will have to do it, specially if you have automotive customers other than the B3.
According to references [3] and [4], the developers of ISO/TS 16949:1999, the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), has announced that the next revision to the standard will be aligned with ISO 9001:2000.
Reference [5] indicates that the IATF has begun work with the ISO TC176 committees to revise the ISO/TS 16949 so as to align it with ISO 9001:2000 ; a resulting product release is expected in 2Q 2001.
According to reference [6], Stephen Walsh, Manager of Q1 Re-engineering for Ford Automotive Operations announced that the IATF is busy trying to align the new international auto standard (ISO/TS 16949:1999) with the Year 2000 revisions of ISO 9000. He expects an updated document that aligns both families of standards by the end of 2001.
According to reference [7], ISO/TS 16949 (together with the appropriate company specific requirements) is believed will replace QS-9000 in the future. As reference [8] also indicates, the release of ISO/TS 16949 aligned with ISO 9001:2000 will replace QS 9000 3rd ed. and the other European Standards.
As stated in reference [1], Ford, GMC and Daimlerchrysler are all strongly recommending that organisations consider upgrading to TS 16949 during surveillance audits.
[1] “ISO/TS 16949 Flash Sheet”, (21st January 2000), (Eagle Group),
[2] “About the ISO/TS (technical specification) 16949”, (2000), (International Automotive Oversight Bureau (IAOB)
[3] “International Automotive Oversight Bureau”, (7th February 2000), (IAOB)
[4] FELLENSTEIN, Stephanie J, (Nov/Dec 1999), Harmonising Standards, Quality in Manufacturing.
[5] “ISO/TS 16949”, (1999), (SRI Quality System Registrar)
[6] McLYMONT, Rosalind, (May/June 2000), Advice for the automotive supply chain on the new ISO/TS 16949, Business Standards Magazine, Issue: May June 2000 .
[7] “ISO/IEC Guide 25 in the Automotive industry”, (1999, November 15), (US Standards Group on QEDS)
(Accessed: 2000, July 7).
[8] SETUNGE, S.N. (May 2000), The value of QS 9000 3rd ed. to an organisation, Final Year Project, School of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Birmingham.
