IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition, 6th Edition --- Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs)
IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition
IATF Rules 6th Edition – Sanctioned Interpretations
The Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition 6th Edition for IATF 16949 (“Rules 6th Edition”) was
published in April 2024 and is effective 1 January 2025. The following Sanctioned Interpretations were determined
and approved by the IATF. Unless otherwise indicated, Sanctioned Interpretations are applicable upon publication.
Revised text is shown in blue.
A Sanctioned Interpretation changes the interpretation of a rule or a requirement which itself then becomes the basis
for a nonconformity.
SI 1 – SI 17 issued November 2024, effective 1 January 2025
www.iatfglobaloversight.org Page 1 of 13
IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition, 6th Edition --- Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs)
NUMBER RULES REFERENCE SANCTIONED INTERPRETATION`
Requests for permission to reproduce and/or translate this document or any extract from it must be
addressed to one of the organizations below:
Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG/USA)
Associazione Nazionale Filiera Industria Automobilistica (ANFIA/Italy)
International Automotive Task Force France (IATF France/France) IATF France (France)
1 Foreword The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited (SMMT/UK)
Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V. – Qualitäts Management Center (VDA QMC/Germany)
Rationale for change:
Clarified the names of the copyright owners in France, UK, and Germany.
Global overview of the first 3-year IATF 16949 certification cycle
Global overview of the
2 first 3-year IATF 16949
certification cycle
Rationale for change:
Corrected reference to 6.3 (was 6.7) in the “Conduct surveillance audit” step.
www.iatfglobaloversight.org Page 2 of 13
IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition, 6th Edition --- Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs)
NUMBER RULES REFERENCE SANCTIONED INTERPRETATION`
Table 2.10 Minimum number of witness audit days per certification body
Table 2.10
Minimum number of
3 witness audits per
certification body
Rationale for change:
Removed the word “Note” as the increase of one (1) witness audit per every 1,500 audit days
after 31,000 audit days is a requirement not guidance.
www.iatfglobaloversight.org Page 3 of 13
IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition, 6th Edition --- Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs)
NUMBER RULES REFERENCE SANCTIONED INTERPRETATION`
Figure 5.1 Manufacturing site audit and certificate cycle
Figure 5.1
Manufacturing site
4 audit and certificate
cycle
Rationale for change:
Corrected the graphic under certificate cycle to remove reference to “1st” and “2nd”
certification decision.
www.iatfglobaloversight.org Page 4 of 13
IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition, 6th Edition --- Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs)
NUMBER RULES REFERENCE SANCTIONED INTERPRETATION`
When determining the audit duration and developing an audit plan (see section 5.7.2), the
certification body shall consider, at minimum, the following:
a) - p)… all other requirements of section 5.2 remain unchanged
q) When the audited client location does not meet the IATF OEM quality and/or delivery targets
specified in the IATF OEM scorecard(s) submitted with audit planning information and/or the
current scorecards reviewed in the opening meeting, the certification body shall add
“additional audit time” to the current audit plan as defined in Table 5.2 q. The “additional audit
time” shall be used to verify the effective implementation of the systemic corrective actions
5.2 associated with the IATF OEM quality and/or delivery targets that are not being met and the
Determining the audit associated risk to similar processes and/or products. The only exception is if the client can
duration for initial provide evidence of verification of the effectiveness of the implemented systemic corrective
certification, actions for the quality and/or delivery performance issues, in which case no increase is
5 surveillance, applied. Where it is not possible to add the additional time to the current audit plan, the
certification body shall conduct a special audit within sixty (60) calendar days of the closing
recertification, and
meeting date of the audit (see section 7.2 c b]).
transfer audits
Rationale for change:
Corrected the cross reference from section 7.2 c) to 7.2 b).
www.iatfglobaloversight.org Page 5 of 13
IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition, 6th Edition --- Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs)
NUMBER RULES REFERENCE SANCTIONED INTERPRETATION`
Table 5.2 Minimum audit days
Minimum audit days
6 Table 5.2
Rationale for change:
Removed the word “Note” as the increase of one-half of an audit day per every 1,000
employees above 7,677 is a requirement not guidance.
www.iatfglobaloversight.org Page 6 of 13
IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition, 6th Edition --- Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs)
NUMBER RULES REFERENCE SANCTIONED INTERPRETATION`
Audit start and end dates for surveillance, recertification, and transfer audits shall be confirmed
with the client no less than ninety (90) calendar days before the audit due date (see section 10.0). If
an exceptional situation requires a change to a confirmed audit date, the certification body shall
retain justification as a part of the audit record.
5.7
7 Audit Planning The remainder of section 5.7 remains unchanged
Rationale for change:
To clarify what dates must be confirmed ninety calendar days before the audit due date.
The audit team shall analyze all information and objective evidence gathered during the audit and
agree on the audit conclusion.
The audit team shall use the IATF Common Audit Report Application (IATF CARA) when creating
the draft and final audit reports and for the issuance of nonconformities to the client. All mandatory
fields within the IATF CARA shall be completed with sufficient detail and objective evidence to allow
the reader to comprehend the audit coverage, findings, results, and conclusions.
The certification body shall issue the draft audit report and the nonconformity management
5.10
8 Audit reporting
record(s), where applicable, to the client at the audit closing meeting along with the link to the
IATF Common Audit Report Application for Nonconformity Management (IATF NC CARA).
The remainder of section 5.10 remains unchanged
Rationale for change:
To clarify the term “nonconformity management record” includes the client’s response and the
term “nonconformity record” is just the CB auditor’s finding and to clarify the IATF NC CARA
link is to be provided at the closing meeting.
In cases of a major nonconformity, the certification body shall conduct a one-time, onsite special
audit (see section 7.2 d c]) for the verification of the effective implementation of systemic corrective
actions within a maximum of ninety (90) calendar days from the closing meeting date of the audit.
5.11.4
9 Verification of major The remainder of section 5.11.4 remains unchanged.
nonconformity Rationale for change:
Corrected the cross reference from section 7.2 d) to 7.2 c)
www.iatfglobaloversight.org Page 7 of 13
IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition, 6th Edition --- Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs)
NUMBER RULES REFERENCE SANCTIONED INTERPRETATION`
The certification decision shall be made within a maximum of one-hundred-twenty (120) calendar
days from the last day of a special audit (see section 7.2 e), f), g) and h)) unless the special audit
5.12 is being conducted within the decertification process timing.
10 Technical review and Rationale for change:
certification decision
Added clarification to which type of special audits requires a certification decision within one-
hundred-twenty (120) calendar days.
The certification body shall require a representative of the applicant organization to provide the
necessary information to enable the certification body to decide on certification feasibility and to
establish a complete quotation. The information required shall include, at minimum:
a) – n) …these requirements remain unchanged
o) All IATF 16949 certifications within the last three (3) years, the status of the certificate(s), and
all final audit reports and all nonconformity management records from the last three (3)
years of certification, including evidence that all nonconformity responses have been
6.1.1 accepted and all verification activities that should have been completed by the previous
11 Application for certification body were conducted as required (see section 5.11). If the certification body is
unable to determine the reason for the applicant organization’s certification withdrawal from
certification
the information provided, the certification body shall contact its relevant oversight office to
obtain information on the reason for the withdrawal.
p) – r) … all other requirements remain unchanged
Rationale for change:
To clarify the term “nonconformity management record” includes the client’s response and the
term “nonconformity record” is just the CB auditor’s finding.
www.iatfglobaloversight.org Page 8 of 13
IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition, 6th Edition --- Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs)
NUMBER RULES REFERENCE SANCTIONED INTERPRETATION`
Within seven (7) calendar days of a legal contract being signed with the client, the new certification
body shall indicate the transfer in the IATF Database by creating the client record and completing the
information required in the transfer confirmation feature.
The new certification body shall advise the client to notify the previous certification body about
7.1
12 Transfer Audit
its intent to transfer (see section 3.2 i j]).
The remainder of section 7.1.2 remains unchanged.
Rationale for change:
Corrected the cross reference from 3.2 i) to 3.2 j).
7.1.2 7.1.1 Transfer audit pre-conditions
At the start of the transfer audit, the following conditions shall be met for the client location under
transfer:
a) – h) …these requirements remain unchanged.
i) The client provided the new certification body with the final audit reports and nonconformity
management records from the previous three (3) years. The information provided shall
include evidence that client responses to all previously issued nonconformities have been
7.1.2 accepted and all verification activities that should have been completed by the previous
13 Transfer pre- certification body were conducted as required (see section 5.11).
conditions
Wherever possible, open issues from the points above shall be resolved by the previous
certification body and the client.
Rationale for change:
To correct the section header number from 7.1.2 to 7.1.1. To clarify the term “nonconformity
management record” includes the client’s response and the term “nonconformity record” is just
the CB auditor’s finding.
www.iatfglobaloversight.org Page 9 of 13
IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition, 6th Edition --- Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs)
NUMBER RULES REFERENCE SANCTIONED INTERPRETATION`
Certification body (IATF-recognized)
The Named Certification Body, together with all Affiliates that satisfy the conditions required to
conduct IATF Certification Activities pursuant to sections 1.6.1 and 1.6.2 in the “Agreement”.
Certificate scope statement
The statement displayed on the IATF 16949 certificate or the letter of conformance that indicates
reflects the manufacturing processes and, where applicable, product design responsibility,
covered the products being designed and/or manufactured under the quality management
system. The certificate scope statement only reflects may also include the categories of
automotive products the client manufactures. is manufacturing at the site that is being
certified, and, where applicable, indicates the client’s responsibility for their design. The
10.0 certificate scope statement may also include the client’s manufacturing processes and/or
14 Definitions
technologies used to further convey the character of the automotive products.
Consecutive working days
Calendar days Regular working days of the client over which an audit is conducted in
succession and without interruption.
Rationale for change:
Align the words in section 10.0 with terms used in section 5.7 and 5.7.2 related to client
working days, section 5.13 for certificate scope statement and to remove a reference in the
sections in the CB Agreement that changed.
www.iatfglobaloversight.org Page 10 of 13
IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition, 6th Edition --- Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs)
NUMBER RULES REFERENCE SANCTIONED INTERPRETATION`
Annex 1 – Example 2 & 4
Annex 1
Example 2
15 Example 4
Rationale for change:
Corrected the mathematical equation to show ten thousandth place for Year 1 and Year 2 in
Example 2 and Example 4.
www.iatfglobaloversight.org Page 11 of 13
IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition, 6th Edition --- Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs)
NUMBER RULES REFERENCE SANCTIONED INTERPRETATION`
Annex 1 – Example 3
Annex 1
16 Example 3
Rationale for change:
Added the reference to “SA-RSL” to show the difference between Annex 1 Example 3 and
Example 4.
www.iatfglobaloversight.org Page 12 of 13
IATF - International Automotive Task Force
Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF Recognition, 6th Edition --- Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs)
NUMBER RULES REFERENCE SANCTIONED INTERPRETATION`
Annex 1 – Example 7
Annex 1
17 Example 7
Rationale for change:
Corrected to remove the main site + EMS from Site 1 to align with the details provided
www.iatfglobaloversight.org Page 13 of 13
