IATF Rules 6th Edition: Key Changes

On March 31, 2024, the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) published the 6th edition of the Rules for Achieving and Maintaining IATF Recognition (IATF Rules). The 6th edition shall be fully implemented by January 1, 2025, replacing the 5th edition.

What are the IATF Rules?

The IATF Rules specify the requirements for achieving and maintaining IATF recognition. They include the requirements of an IATF 16949 automotive quality management system, a popular standard for reducing faults and waste in the automotive industry. Although the IATF Rules primarily affect certification bodies conducting IATF 16949 audits, organizations certified to IATF 16949 should understand the changes to the requirements, as they will affect future audits to achieve or maintain IATF 16949 certification.

The IATF Rules also come with sanctioned interpretations (SIs) which alter the existing published requirements of IATF 16949, and frequently asked questions (FAQs), which clarify the existing requirements.

What are the changes?

The new edition of the IATF Rules reflects the IATF's intention to strengthen the  IATF 16949 certification process. It improves and clarifies numerous parts of the process.

Topics covered by the key changes include, but are not limited to:

• Extended manufacturing site
• Audit cycle
• Determining audit duration
• Audit planning/audit plan
• Nonconformity management
• Virtual auditing
• Decertification process

How is SGS helping?

As an IATF Recognized Certification Body, we are implementing the required changes to the IATF 16949 application, auditing and certification processes.

To give our clients, which include automotive manufacturers and suppliers,  a better overview of the key changes, we have conducted a webinar: "Key changes and impacts of IATF Rules 6th Edition on IATF 16949". This webinar will help them prepare for the new changes and overcome potential challenges during audits, enabling a more efficient certification journey.

Watch the on-demand webinar

We have also published guidance: "IATF Rules 6th Edition – Impacts to Clients" which details the impact of each relevant clause in the new rules.

Find the guidance on our IATF 16949 web page

When will the old IATF Rules be replaced?

The IATF Rules 6th Edition will replace the 5th Edition on January 1, 2025. All IATF Rules 5th Edition sanctioned interpretations and frequently asked questions will also be obsolete on this date.

The IATF Rules 6th Edition is available in twelve languages and can be purchased on the IATF Publication page.

About IATF

The  IATF is an ad hoc group of automotive manufacturers and their respective national automotive industry associations, formed to provide improved quality products to automotive customers worldwide.

For further information, please contact:

Eric Chow
Global Marketing Manager
Business Assurance
t: +44 1276697722