ISO 16949 Consultancy & Certification in Saudi Arabia | IATF 16949

Build an automotive quality management system that meets global customer expectations, strengthens manufacturing control, reduces defects and prepares your organization for IATF 16949 certification.

Qdot provides end-to-end ISO 16949 Consultancy in Saudi Arabia for automotive component manufacturers, production-part suppliers and organizations entering global automotive supply chains. Because the official automotive standard is IATF 16949:2016, our consultancy is designed around IATF 16949 requirements, ISO 9001 requirements, customer-specific requirements and the automotive core tools needed to demonstrate effective process control.

For organizations searching for ISO 16949 Certification in Saudi Arabia, Qdot supports the complete certification-readiness journey—from initial gap assessment and implementation to internal audits, management review and preparation for the independent certification audit. Qdot does not issue the IATF 16949 certificate; certification must be performed by an IATF-recognized certification body in accordance with the applicable IATF certification rules.

Preparing for IATF 16949 Certification in Saudi Arabia?

Speak with Qdot about IATF 16949 eligibility, ISO 9001 integration, customer-specific requirements, APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, internal audits and certification readiness.

Request an IATF 16949 Gap Assessment Get a Consultancy Proposal

What Is ISO 16949 / IATF 16949?

ISO/TS 16949 was the former automotive quality-management technical specification developed by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) in cooperation with ISO. It was replaced in 2016 by IATF 16949. The current recognized automotive QMS certification scheme is therefore IATF 16949, not a current “ISO 16949” standard.

IATF 16949 is designed for automotive production and relevant service-part organizations and is implemented together with ISO 9001. It strengthens the general quality-management framework with automotive-specific requirements focused on defect prevention, variation reduction, waste reduction, product safety, supplier quality, manufacturing process control and customer-specific requirements.

Why IATF 16949 Matters for Saudi Arabia’s Automotive Sector

Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding its automotive manufacturing ecosystem, including vehicle assembly, electric vehicles, automotive components, plastics, metals, electronics, batteries, logistics and related supply chains. As OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers localize sourcing, Saudi manufacturers increasingly need robust quality systems that can demonstrate consistent automotive capability and customer compliance.

Improve eligibility to supply automotive OEMs, Tier 1 and Tier 2 customers where IATF 16949 is required or commercially preferred.
Strengthen APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC and control-plan practices across new-product introduction and serial production.
Reduce defects, rework, warranty exposure, customer complaints and manufacturing variation.
Establish stronger supplier-development and sub-tier supply-chain controls.
Support localization, industrialization and export ambitions within Saudi Arabia’s growing automotive ecosystem.

Benefits of ISO 16949 / IATF 16949 Consultancy in Saudi Arabia

Business Benefit	How the Automotive QMS Supports It
Customer confidence	Demonstrate an automotive-sector QMS aligned with globally recognized OEM supply-chain expectations.
Defect prevention	Move from inspection-based quality toward preventive planning, risk-based controls and robust manufacturing processes.
Process capability	Improve measurement systems, process capability, control plans and statistical monitoring.
Supplier quality	Apply structured supplier selection, monitoring, development and escalation across the supply chain.
Launch readiness	Strengthen advanced product quality planning, manufacturing feasibility and new-product/process launch controls.
Traceability & product safety	Build proportionate traceability, product-safety and special-characteristic controls.
Customer-specific requirements	Create a systematic method to identify, deploy, maintain and audit applicable CSRs.
Continual improvement	Use performance data, audits, problem solving and corrective action to improve QCD performance.

Who Should Consider IATF 16949?

IATF 16949 certification is primarily intended for automotive manufacturing sites producing customer-specified production parts and/or relevant service parts. Applicability must be confirmed against current IATF scheme rules and customer requirements before a certification project starts.

Automotive component and systems manufacturers
Metal stamping, machining, forging, casting and fabrication suppliers
Plastics, rubber, injection-molding and polymer-component manufacturers
Electrical, electronic, wiring-harness, sensor and control-component manufacturers
Battery, EV-component and power-electronics manufacturers where automotive customer requirements apply
Automotive glass, seating, interiors, trim and safety-component suppliers
Paint, coating, heat-treatment, welding and other special-process suppliers within automotive scope
Organizations with remote supporting functions such as design, purchasing, warehousing or corporate quality that support an IATF-certified manufacturing site

Scope must be verified: Not every company that sells to the automotive sector is automatically eligible for IATF 16949 certification. Certification scope, manufacturing-site eligibility, remote support functions and customer requirements should be confirmed early in the project.

Qdot’s 12-Step ISO 16949 / IATF 16949 Consultancy Methodology

Step	Qdot Support
1. Certification Scope & Eligibility Review	Confirm manufacturing-site eligibility, products, processes, customers, remote support functions and intended certification scope.
2. Gap Assessment	Assess the existing QMS against ISO 9001, IATF 16949, applicable sanctioned interpretations, Rules 6th Edition interfaces and customer-specific requirements.
3. Process Architecture	Define automotive QMS processes, ownership, sequence, interactions, performance indicators and customer-oriented processes.
4. Automotive Risk & Context Review	Address product/process risks, contingency planning, customer expectations, supply-chain risks and business continuity for automotive operations.
5. Core Tools Deployment	Establish or strengthen APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA and SPC practices relevant to the organization’s products and manufacturing processes.
6. Documentation & Control Plans	Develop required policies, procedures, process documents, PFMEAs, control plans, work instructions, forms, records and evidence controls.
7. Supplier Quality Management	Define supplier selection, monitoring, development, escalation, second-party audit and sub-tier risk controls.
8. Manufacturing Process Controls	Strengthen setup verification, preventive/predictive maintenance, special characteristics, error proofing, traceability, nonconforming product and change management.
9. Competence & Training	Train process owners, internal auditors and relevant teams on IATF requirements, core tools, customer-specific requirements and automotive problem solving.
10. Implementation & Evidence Building	Operate the system long enough to generate objective evidence across processes, metrics, customer performance and automotive records.
11. Internal Audits & Management Review	Conduct QMS, manufacturing-process and product audits, close findings and complete management review before certification.
12. Certification-Readiness Support	Prepare for the IATF-recognized certification body’s Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits and support closure of any certification-audit nonconformities within permitted boundaries.

Key IATF 16949 Requirements We Help Implement

Automotive QMS Context and Leadership

Define business context, interested parties, process ownership, quality policy, objectives, responsibilities, corporate responsibility expectations and leadership oversight.

Risk-Based Thinking and Contingency Planning

Identify product, process, supplier, infrastructure and continuity risks; develop contingency plans and verify their effectiveness through planned testing where required.

Product Safety

Establish product-safety responsibilities, escalation, special approvals, traceability, competence and process controls where product-safety requirements apply.

Customer-Specific Requirements (CSRs)

Create a controlled register of applicable customer-specific requirements and deploy them into processes, procedures, forms, audits and management review.

Design and Development

For organizations responsible for product or manufacturing-process design, strengthen planning, inputs, outputs, reviews, verification, validation, special characteristics and change control.

Supplier Management

Implement supplier selection, quality-performance monitoring, development, second-party auditing and risk-based escalation aligned with automotive expectations.

Manufacturing Process Control

Strengthen standardized work, setup verification, first-off/last-off controls, control plans, reaction plans, special characteristics, error proofing, maintenance and process monitoring.

Traceability and Identification

Implement traceability appropriate to products, processes, customer requirements, regulatory obligations and product-safety needs.

Warranty and Field Failure

Where applicable, establish structured review of field failures, warranty information, returns, no-trouble-found cases and corrective action.

Problem Solving and CAPA

Use disciplined root-cause analysis and corrective action to address internal, supplier and customer nonconformities and prevent recurrence.

Internal Audit Programme

Plan and conduct QMS system audits, manufacturing-process audits and product audits with competent auditors and risk-based coverage.

Performance Monitoring

Monitor customer scorecards, complaints, delivery, quality, scrap, rework, process capability, supplier performance and other relevant QCD metrics.

Automotive Core Tools: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA and SPC

Core Tool	Implementation Focus
APQP	Advanced Product Quality Planning supports structured planning from concept and customer requirements through product/process development, validation and launch.
PPAP	Production Part Approval Process provides customer evidence that design records and specification requirements are understood and the manufacturing process can consistently produce conforming product.
FMEA	Design and Process FMEA identify potential failure modes, causes, effects and prevention/detection controls so teams can prioritize risk reduction.
MSA	Measurement System Analysis evaluates whether measurement systems are suitable and reliable for making product and process decisions.
SPC	Statistical Process Control supports process monitoring, variation reduction, capability evaluation and early detection of process instability.

Customer-Specific Requirements and OEM Expectations

IATF 16949 certification does not remove the need to comply with individual automotive-customer requirements. OEM and Tier 1 customers may issue customer-specific requirements covering topics such as scorecards, audits, special characteristics, PPAP, warranty, supplier development, software, capacity, traceability and escalation. Qdot helps organizations establish a systematic method to identify, review, deploy, update and audit applicable CSRs.

ISO 16949 Certification in Saudi Arabia: The Actual IATF 16949 Certification Process

Companies searching for ISO 16949 Certification in Saudi Arabia are generally looking for IATF 16949 certification. The IATF certification scheme is controlled by the International Automotive Task Force and certification must be conducted by an IATF-recognized certification body according to the current Rules for achieving and maintaining IATF recognition.

Stage	What Happens
1. Readiness	Implement the IATF 16949 QMS, customer-specific requirements, core tools, internal audits and management review.
2. Select an IATF-Recognized Certification Body	Confirm the certification body is currently recognized within the IATF scheme and suitable for the organization’s scope and geography.
3. Application & Audit Planning	Provide site, employee, process, product, customer, remote-support and performance information required for audit planning.
4. Stage 1 Audit	Certification body evaluates readiness, system documentation and selected implementation evidence.
5. Stage 2 Audit	Certification body evaluates effective implementation across the manufacturing site and supporting processes.
6. Nonconformity Closure	Address audit nonconformities through root cause, corrective action and evidence within the scheme’s required timeframes.
7. Certification Decision	The independent certification body makes the certification decision and issues the IATF 16949 certificate if requirements are met.
8. Surveillance & Recertification	Maintain conformity, customer performance and scheme requirements through surveillance and recertification cycles.

IATF Rules 6th Edition

IATF Rules 6th Edition became effective on 1 January 2025. These rules are binding on IATF-recognized certification bodies and also contain requirements that certified organizations need to understand because they affect audit planning, certification-cycle administration, nonconformity management and other scheme processes. IATF periodically issues Sanctioned Interpretations (SIs) and FAQs, so organizations should monitor current IATF publications rather than relying on older guidance.

How Long Does IATF 16949 Implementation Take?

Implementation time depends on the maturity of the existing ISO 9001 system, manufacturing complexity, number of automotive customers, customer-specific requirements, number of sites and remote functions, readiness of core tools, supplier maturity, process capability, audit findings and the amount of objective evidence required. A focused implementation may take several months; more complex automotive organizations may require a longer programme to build stable evidence and customer performance.

What Determines ISO 16949 / IATF 16949 Certification Cost?

Number of employees and manufacturing shifts
Number and complexity of manufacturing processes
Certification scope and product families
Number of manufacturing sites and remote support locations
Customer/OEM complexity and applicable CSRs
Existing ISO 9001 maturity and automotive core-tool capability
Certification-body audit duration, travel and scheme requirements

Important: Qdot’s consultancy fee is separate from the IATF-recognized certification body’s audit and certification fees.

Current Standard and Planned IATF 16949 Second Edition

As of September 2026, IATF 16949:2016 remains the current published automotive QMS standard. In July 2026, IATF announced that Revision 2 is in development, with working-draft development and external feedback planned in 2026, final validation and supporting documents in 2027, and publication currently planned for mid-2027. The planned revision is focusing on simplification and clarity, software quality assurance, Tier-N supply-chain management, launch management and customer-specific requirements.

Qdot recommends designing the Saudi IATF 16949 system around the current 2016 requirements and latest applicable SIs/FAQs, while maintaining a controlled transition plan once IATF publishes the second edition and transition instructions.

Automotive Sectors We Can Support in Saudi Arabia

Vehicle and EV manufacturing supply chains

QMS development for organizations supplying production parts, assemblies and automotive manufacturing processes.

Machining, casting, forging and metal fabrication

Process control, capability, special characteristics, MSA/SPC, maintenance and supplier controls.

Plastics and polymer components

Molding-process controls, material traceability, tooling, change management and defect prevention.

Electrical and electronic components

Supplier quality, ESD and process controls, traceability, testing, product approval and customer requirements.

Battery and EV components

Risk-based process control, traceability, product safety and customer-specific quality requirements.

Surface treatment and special processes

Control of outsourced/special processes, qualification, monitoring, records and customer-specific requirements.

Automotive logistics and warehousing support

Where these functions support an eligible IATF manufacturing site, align remote support activities with the certified site’s QMS.

New localization projects

Build an automotive QMS early so new factories can integrate customer requirements and core tools during industrialization rather than after launch.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification Across Saudi Arabia

Qdot supports organizations across the Kingdom. For SEO clarity, the city sections below use the common search phrases “ISO 16949 Consultancy” and “ISO 16949 Certification”; technically, the recognized certification is IATF 16949 certification.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Riyadh

For automotive suppliers, engineering companies, component manufacturers and corporate/remote support functions in Riyadh, Qdot can develop IATF 16949-aligned processes, core tools, CSR controls, internal audits and certification readiness.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Jeddah

Jeddah’s manufacturing, logistics and Red Sea supply-chain base makes it important for automotive components, imported materials, warehousing and supporting suppliers. Qdot provides automotive QMS implementation and readiness support for eligible manufacturing operations.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Dammam

Dammam and the Eastern Province have strong industrial, metal, plastics, electrical, engineering and logistics capabilities that can support automotive localization. Qdot can help eligible production sites implement IATF 16949 and automotive core tools.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Al Khobar & Dhahran

For engineering, corporate, design, procurement and other support functions connected with automotive manufacturing sites, Qdot can align remote-support processes with IATF 16949 requirements where these functions are included in the certification structure.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC)

KAEC is strategically important to Saudi Arabia’s automotive manufacturing expansion. Qdot can support automotive plants and component suppliers with IATF 16949 implementation, customer requirements, launch readiness and certification preparation.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Jubail

Jubail’s advanced industrial ecosystem includes metals, chemicals, plastics, engineering and manufacturing suppliers that may serve automotive customers. Eligible automotive production sites can use IATF 16949 to strengthen quality and customer confidence.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Yanbu

Qdot supports manufacturing and supply-chain organizations in Yanbu that enter automotive production-part or relevant service-part supply chains and require structured automotive quality controls.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Makkah & Madinah

For eligible automotive component manufacturers and supporting businesses in the western region, Qdot provides automotive QMS implementation, core-tool development and audit readiness.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Qassim & Buraidah

Qdot supports industrial manufacturers in Qassim that supply or plan to supply automotive production chains and need IATF 16949-based customer, process and supplier controls.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Al Ahsa & Hofuf

For Eastern Province manufacturers entering automotive supply chains, Qdot can implement IATF 16949 processes, risk controls, traceability, supplier management and certification readiness.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Al Kharj

Al Kharj-based manufacturing organizations can use Qdot’s IATF 16949 consultancy to establish automotive process controls, core tools, customer-specific requirements and internal audit programmes.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Tabuk

Qdot supports organizations in Tabuk and northern Saudi Arabia where automotive manufacturing or component-supply opportunities require structured quality and customer compliance systems.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Abha & Khamis Mushait

For eligible manufacturing organizations in the southern region, Qdot can develop an automotive QMS and prepare teams for customer and certification audits.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Jazan & Najran

Qdot supports industrial manufacturers in Jazan and Najran that participate in automotive-related supply chains and need automotive quality-management discipline.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Rabigh

Rabigh’s industrial and logistics base can support materials and component supply chains. Qdot can help eligible automotive manufacturing sites establish IATF 16949-compliant processes and certification readiness.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Saudi Industrial Cities

Industrial-location targeting is especially valuable for automotive SEO because component manufacturing often sits inside industrial cities, economic zones and specialized clusters. The following sections use both requested keyword themes while retaining the correct IATF 16949 terminology in the copy.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in King Salman Automotive Cluster, KAEC

The King Salman Automotive Cluster in King Abdullah Economic City is a major focal point for Saudi automotive manufacturing and localization. Qdot can support vehicle and component manufacturers with IATF 16949 QMS implementation, APQP/PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC, supplier quality, launch readiness and certification preparation.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Riyadh Industrial Cities

Qdot supports eligible automotive component manufacturers in Riyadh’s industrial areas with IATF 16949 process architecture, customer-specific requirements, manufacturing controls and internal audits.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Jeddah Industrial Cities

For western-region component, plastics, metal, electrical and engineering manufacturers serving automotive supply chains, Qdot provides automotive QMS implementation and certification readiness.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Dammam Industrial Cities

Dammam’s industrial base is well positioned for automotive materials, fabricated components, plastics, electrical products and engineered parts. Qdot can support eligible sites with IATF 16949 and automotive core tools.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Sudair City for Industry and Business

Manufacturers in Sudair that supply automotive customers can use IATF 16949 to standardize automotive-quality processes, supplier management, production control and continual improvement.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Al Kharj Industrial City

Qdot supports Al Kharj manufacturers entering automotive supply chains with IATF 16949 gap analysis, implementation, core tools and certification-audit preparation.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Jubail Industrial City

Jubail’s advanced industrial base can support automotive raw materials, plastics, chemicals, metal products and engineered components. IATF 16949 is relevant where the site manufactures qualifying customer-specified automotive production or service parts.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Yanbu Industrial City

Qdot can support eligible Yanbu automotive suppliers with customer-focused QMS controls, product/process risk management, supplier quality and certification readiness.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Ras Al-Khair City for Mining Industries

IATF 16949 is not generally intended for mining activities themselves, but it may be relevant to eligible manufacturers of automotive production parts or components located within or supported by the wider industrial ecosystem.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries

For downstream manufacturers that produce qualifying automotive components or production parts, Qdot can implement automotive QMS controls and prepare the organization for IATF 16949 certification.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in SPARK

SPARK is primarily an energy-focused industrial ecosystem. IATF 16949 is relevant only where an eligible organization manufactures customer-specified automotive production or service parts within the automotive supply chain.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Other MODON Industrial Cities

Qdot can support eligible automotive manufacturing sites across other MODON locations. The first step is to confirm IATF 16949 certification eligibility, automotive customer requirements and the correct site/support-function structure.

Multi-Site Organizations and Remote Support Functions

Automotive companies often operate manufacturing plants together with remote design centers, corporate offices, purchasing teams, warehouses, laboratories or engineering functions. IATF certification rules treat manufacturing sites and supporting functions differently. Qdot helps map the certification structure, responsibilities, process interfaces and audit evidence so remote support is correctly linked to the manufacturing site rather than incorrectly presented as stand-alone IATF certification.

Integration with ISO 9001 and Other Management Systems

IATF 16949 is implemented together with ISO 9001 and can also be integrated with other management systems where appropriate. Saudi automotive manufacturers may combine quality requirements with ISO 14001 environmental management, ISO 45001 occupational health & safety, ISO 50001 energy management, ISO/IEC 27001 information security and ISO 22301 business continuity to create an integrated management framework.

Why Choose Qdot for ISO 16949 / IATF 16949 Consultancy in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi-focused implementation approach for manufacturing and industrial organizations
Structured gap assessment and phased implementation rather than document-only consultancy
Support for automotive core tools, customer-specific requirements and certification readiness
Process-based documentation tailored to the organization’s actual manufacturing operations
Support for multi-site and remote-support-function structures
Integration capability with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001 and other systems
Clear separation between Qdot consultancy and independent IATF certification decisions

Reach out to our experts for quick assistance.

info@qdot-ksa.com | / +966 55 152 2482 / +966 53 349 8921

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FAQs

No current standard is published as ISO 16949. The former ISO/TS 16949 was withdrawn and replaced by IATF 16949:2016. “ISO 16949” remains a common search term, which is why this page uses it while explaining the correct standard.

IATF 16949 is the automotive quality-management-system standard developed by the International Automotive Task Force. It is implemented together with ISO 9001 and adds automotive-specific requirements.

In practical market terms, organizations searching for ISO 16949 consultancy generally need IATF 16949 consultancy: gap assessment, implementation, core tools, CSR management, internal audits and certification readiness.

The technically correct certification is IATF 16949 certification. It is issued by an IATF-recognized certification body after the organization demonstrates conformity to the applicable requirements and scheme rules.

No. Qdot provides consultancy and certification-readiness support. The certification decision and certificate must come from an independent IATF-recognized certification body.

Eligibility generally centers on manufacturing sites that produce customer-specified automotive production parts and/or relevant service parts. The exact scope should be confirmed against current IATF rules and customer requirements.

Remote support functions may be included as supporting functions for a manufacturing site, but stand-alone certification is generally not the same as certification of an eligible manufacturing site. The structure should be verified before contracting certification.

IATF 16949 is implemented together with ISO 9001. The automotive requirements supplement the ISO 9001 quality-management framework.

APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA and SPC are widely used automotive core tools. Customer requirements may define the specific manuals, versions and expectations to apply.

CSRs are additional requirements issued by automotive customers or OEMs. Certified suppliers must identify and implement the requirements that apply to them.

Yes, the standard includes specific product-safety expectations where applicable, including responsibilities, escalation, traceability, competence and related controls.

The automotive audit programme includes QMS system audits, manufacturing-process audits and product audits, with competent auditors and appropriate coverage.

It depends on QMS maturity, number of processes and customers, core-tool capability, customer performance, site complexity and the time needed to build objective evidence. Many projects require several months.

Employee count, shifts, manufacturing complexity, sites, remote support functions, audit duration, customer structure, travel and certification-body fees all influence cost.

New-site and launch situations need careful planning under current IATF rules. The certification route and required evidence should be discussed with an IATF-recognized certification body early in the project.

It is the current edition of the IATF rules governing how certification bodies achieve and maintain IATF recognition and how IATF certification audits are administered. It became effective on 1 January 2025.

Yes. IATF announced in July 2026 that Revision 2 is under development and publication is currently planned for mid-2027, subject to change.

Yes. Automotive manufacturers often integrate quality, environment and OH&S systems to reduce duplication and improve governance.

No. The standard strengthens defect prevention, process control and continual improvement, but certification cannot guarantee zero defects or perfect customer performance.

Yes. Qdot can support eligible automotive organizations across Saudi Arabia, including major commercial cities, industrial cities and the King Salman Automotive Cluster in KAEC, subject to project scope and site eligibility.

ISO 16949 Consultancy & ISO 16949 Certification in Saudi Arabia (IATF 16949)