To help in the never ending quest for increased profitability, I believe it is a good thing to review what WASTE is:

Waste is defined as anything that does not add value to the customer. Overproduction – There are two types of overproduction:
  • Producing more parts than are necessary
  • Producing parts at a rate faster than is required
  • Example: Using up the rest of a material even though the correct ship quantity was produced.
Read more: Waste: How to increase margin from...

How do you know if a QMS is viable across the globe?

For almost 30 years, the ISO 9001 standard has been used in the United States. Thousands of manufacturers and non-manufactures have acquired QMS certificate. Attaining ISO 9001 recognition declares to customers "you can trust our quality system" while also giving order to the management of the organization's business system.
Read more: Is your supplier's QMS certificate...

Transferring your Certification to ASR is easy.

ASR regularly receives requests from organizations seeking to transfer their registration certificates because customer service and satisfaction is lacking.

ASR's transfer process is simple:

Step 1 – Send us some basic information about your organization (you can use the ASR website or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or better yet, pick up the phone (888-891-9002) and talk immediately to either Dave Gawlak or Tom Droog and they will help with the completion of the information needed.
Read more: Transferring Your Certification

ISO/FDIS 9001:2015

With the release of the 2015 revision, it is important to revisit one of the major changes to the standard – developing risk based thinking.

ISO 9001:2015 moves risk based thinking from a "should" or a good idea to enhance a QMS to a "shall" requirement. Both ISO 13485:2003 and AS9100 require users to address risk in Section 7 of their respective standards.

A good way to look at risk and to address risk is by utilizing the PDCA cycle - Plan, Do, Check and Act.
Read more: Risk Based Thinking – And ISO 9001:2015

ASR’s annual calendar distribution for 2017 is now complete, but a few 2017 calendars remain.

If you would like an additional calendar contact ASR at 888-891-9002 and ask for Jessica or request a calendar via e/mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Enjoy a fabulous 2017!


Organizations sometimes struggle with setting up, maintaining and getting value from process metrics.

ISO 9001 does require that:

Clause 4.1
"The organization shall:
  • Determine criteria and methods needed to ensure that both the control and operation of these processes are effective
  • Monitor, measure where applicable, and analyze these processes and
  • Implement actions necessary to achieve planned results and continual improvement of these processes and Clause 8.2.3
Read more: Process Metrics (Monitoring the...

This comparison matrix can be used by An organization as a gap analysis for their QMS.

This is a +100 page document. If it was published on Amazon, the price would be hundreds of dollars.

Bart Solomon created this to help our clients and help any professional needing to understand and implement these standards.

pdfClick here to download the document.

You do not need to be a client to benefit from ASR's committment to excellence.

An Opportunity for Improvement (OFI) is a pretty neat idea! It allows your ASR auditor to share with you valuable ideas that may be helpful as your organization pushes its quality management system for continual improvement.

In fact, a well-thought out Opportunity for Improvement in many cases may be of more value than a well-implemented non-conformance.

What is the definition of an OFI as listed in ASR's auditing procedure?
Read more: Opportunity for Improvement - A Benefit

Effective July 15, 2017, ASR clients will not be able to recertify to the 2008 version of  ISO 9001 or the 2004 version of ISO 14001 because of the impending transition date.

September 15, 2018 is the deadline set by ANAB (accreditation body) for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 organizations to transition to the 2015 version of these two standards.    This means the transition audit must be completed including return/approval of NCs and a new 2015 certificate issued.

ASR clients are encouraged to transition to ISO 9001:2015 and/or ISO 14001:2015 at their recertification audit if possible. Clients that transition at recertification will not incur additional audit time. Clients may elect to transition at a surveillance audit or at a special audit at any time during the audit cycle. However, additional audit time may be required to cover the review of changes to the client’s quality management system. The additional time is dependent on the size of the organization.

If your organization has not scheduled its transition to the 2015 version of ISO 9001 or ISO 14001, please contact ASR today!   
ASR is available to answer questions regarding the transition process or interpretations of these revised standards. 

Contact ASR at 888-891-9002 and ask for Tom or David. 

Clients may also direct questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ISO/TS 16949 certificates expire Sept 14, 2018 and the push is on as automotive suppliers work to upgrade their quality management system before the deadline. Since IATF 16949:2016 consists of only automotive requirements, suppliers  need a copy of ISO 9001:2015 to fully update their QMS.

ASR is reaching out to its clients to schedule transition audits.  A transition audit replaces a client’s regularly scheduled recertification or surveillance audit.  The transition audit is equivalent to a recertification audit which is a full system audit addressing all requirements of IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 and begins a new three-year audit cycle.
Read more: ISO/TS 16949 Certs. Expire Sept 14,...

October 2016

Automotive suppliers can begin upgrading their quality system as the revised standard IATF 16949 is now available from AIAG. Clients will also need a copy of ISO 9001:2015 as IATF 16949 consists of only automotive requirements.

Existing ISO/TS 16949 certificates expire Sept 14, 2018. ASR is in the process of reaching out to its certified clients to schedule transition audits.

A transition audit replaces a client's regularly scheduled certification or surveillance audit. The transition audit is equivalent to a recertification audit which is a full system audit addressing all requirements of IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 and begins a new three-year audit cycle.

A key transition point for clients is a requirement to submit updated QMS documents to ASR prior to the start of the transition audit for an off-site documentation review. These documents include quality manual, updated/new procedures and evidence about conformity to IATF 16949. Failure to do so will result in an additional 4 hours to the site's audit to allow the auditor time to collect and review the requested documents.

Valuable information addressing the IATF 16949 transition process can be found by going to www.aiag.org and click the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) transition strategy document.

Contact ASR if your organization has any questions regarding the revised IATF 16949 standard or the transition process.

TS clients are strongly encouraged to immediately begin transitioning to the revised ISO/TS 16949 standard now called IATF 16949.

While IATF 16949 will be released next month, the updated standard aligns with        ISO 9001:2015 so clients can begin now to change their QMS.

The following summarizes important client transition information and dates:  
Read more: ISO/TS 16949 Revised, Renamed,...

The organization shall

a) determine the necessary competence for personnel performing work affecting product quality,
b) provide training or take other actions to satisfy these needs,
c) evaluate the effectiveness of the actions taken,
d) ensure that its personnel are aware of the relevance and importance of their activities and how they contribute to the achievement of the quality objectives, and
e) maintain appropriate records of education, training, skills and experience
Read more: ISO 9001 Training Requirements

Job Description

American Systems registrar has an immediate opening for an Automotive IATF 6949 Auditor. Preferred location is the Michigan or midwest area, but will consider candidates residing in other locations. This position would entail visiting client locations and performing assigned audits weekly. This position is home based with extensive travel, so no relocation would be needed.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • The candidate will have a successful work history, strong interpersonal and organizational skills with excellent written and oral communication capabilities.
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for management systems audits.
  • ISO-9001 and IATF 16949 auditing experience with 3rd party experience highly desired
  • Ability to self-manage and set priorities with demonstrated follow-through skills.
  • Ability to develop a certification scope, audit plan and manage audit team activities.
  • Ability to present the audit team conclusions to the customer and review customer resolution of any nonconformities
  • Must be able to meet ASR customer satisfaction standards.
  • To understand and operate within ASR's Certification Management System in all activities relevant to the position
  • Work independently and project a professional image appropriate to the work environment.
  • Knowledge of computer hardware and software, including MS Office applications.
  • Extensive travel and ability to work in a home based environment.

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree and minimum of four years experience in quality systems management is preferred
  • Certification as an ISO/TS 16949 IATF Sanctioned Lead Auditor with green performance level on all ADP sections preferred or possess the ability to certify including having six years of experience within the automotive industry in the last ten years.
  • Passed an accredited 40-hour ISO 9001 lead auditor course
  • Experience in implementation of ISO/TS 16949 desired.

**Contract auditor opportunities are also available in TS as well as other segments at competitive day rates.

ASR will begin issuing revised ISO/TS 16949:2009 certificates reflecting an expiration date of September 14, 2018. This action is the result of a directive to all Certification Bodies from the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the ISO Committee on Conformity Assessment (CASCO). These two groups set the governing rules for the certification industry.

ISO 9001:2008 is the basis for the ISO/TS 16949:2009 QMS and TS certificates must run concurrent with the expiration of ISO 9001:2008. Transition period to ISO 9001:2015 is three years from the publication release date or September 15, 2018. IAF and CASCO notified Certification Bodies that ISO/TS 16949:2009 certificates will expire September 14, 2018.

ASR's TS client contacts will also receive notice of the certificate expiration date change via e/mail.

Contact ASR if you have questions concerning your ISO/TS 16949 certificate and continue to monitor ASR's web site for soon to be released transition plans to ISO/TS 16949.

Based in Harbor Beach, MI
ISO/TS 16949:2009 Transfer
Certification #: 6307

Manufacturing of Wire Harnesses, Lighting Assemblies, and Kitting
Refurbish and Sale of Medical Equipment

Based in Jenison, MI
ISO/TS 16949:2009 Registration
Certification #: 6325

Manufacturer and Assembly of Custom Die Cut and Stamped: Gaskets, Seals, Acoustical Products and Interior Components, Using Non-Woven Fibers, Rubber, Adhesives, Plastics, and Paper
Refurbish and Sale of Medical Equipment

The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) is an "ad hoc" group of automotive manufacturers and their respective trade associations, formed to provide improved quality products to automotive customers worldwide. Specifically, the purposes for which the IATF was established are:
Read more: IATF Strategic Focus

Auburn Hills MI 48326 & Warren MI 48091
ISO/TS 16949:2009 Transfer
Certificates 6455-1 6455-2

Auburn Hills:
Design and Manufacture of Stampings and Assembly of Latching Mechanisms

Warren:
Design and Manufacture of High Volume Small to Medium Stampings with Automated Resistance Welding, Robotic MIG Welding and Mechanical Seembly of Latching Mechanisms
Refurbish and Sale of Medical Equipment

Review these tips to make the audit process easier and more efficient for your staff.

tips to make the audit process easier and more efficient for your staff.

Tip 1:

  1. Knowledgeable escort who knows respective department heads
  2. Availability of personnel at each audit stop
  3. If possible, avoid scheduling in-house meetings (except with customers) at the same time of audit.
  4. Ensure data is readily available to avoid last minute scramble to find.
  5. New employees should have access to knowledgeable person if needed
  6. Consultants who attend the audit should not respond to audit questions.
  7. Top mgmt available for closing meeting
  8. Remember, participation in the audit is wider than the quality department
Read more: Audit Tips

In a continuing effort to promote the integrity and credibility of automotive supplier certification, Ford, GM and Chrysler sat down August 12, 2013 with members of the International Automotive Certification Bodies Association (IACBA) to communicate the approach they want to see from Certification Body auditors when auditing Customer Specific Requirements under ISO/TS 16949.
Read more: Audit Expectations - Customer Specific...

ISO/FDIS 9001:2015

A final draft of ISO 9001:2015 has been released for a final vote. Official release of ISO 9001:2015 is expected shortly after the September 9th voting deadline. There may be a slight change in the final wording of the document following this final vote.

In advance of the 2015 release of ISO 9001 it is important to revisit one of the major changes to the standard – developing risk based thinking.
Read more: Risk Based Thinking – for ISO 9001

Revision writers left it up to organizations determine how many and what procedures and work instructions to document. This vague approach to documentation opens the door for each organization to develop a system that reflects what works best for them.

Final voting on the 2015 revisions concludes in September and there may be some slight language changes.

Two types of documented information (ISO 9001:2015 4.4.2) are required. Organizations will have to maintain documented information (procedures and work instructions) and they will have to retain documented (records) information.
Read more: Determining Adequate 2015 Documentation

ISO/FDIS 9001:2015

With the release of the 2015 revision, it is important to revisit one of the major changes to the standard – developing risk based thinking.

ISO 9001:2015 moves risk based thinking from a "should" or a good idea to enhance a QMS to a "shall" requirement. Both ISO 13485:2003 and AS9100 require users to address risk in Section 7 of their respective standards.

A good way to look at risk and to address risk is by utilizing the PDCA cycle - Plan, Do, Check and Act.
Read more: Risk Based Thinking – And ISO 9001:2015
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