QS-9000 registration with UL

UL is a leading QS-9000 Registrar. We have registered more than 600 automotive suppliers to the QS-9000 standard. With an experienced staff of more than 175 QS-9000 auditors, we are ready to assist your individual needs.

--- Important Information ---

The QS-9000 certification is valid until the end of 2006, when all companies must upgrade to TS 16949.


Migrating your system to the ISO 14001 EMS standard

UL has developed a staight forward method for migrating your QS9000 system to the ISO 14001 EMS standard. We will help you take advantage of your existing systems in QS-9000. Please check UL’s ISO 14001 pages for more information.

Background on QS-9000

QS-9000 requirements were developed by the Chrysler/Ford/General Motors Supplier Quality Requirements Task Force. This task force developed QS-9000 by analyzing requirements originally found in:

• Ford’s Q-101 Quality System Standard;
• General Motors’ North American Operations Targets for Excellence and Europe’s General Quality Standard for Purchased Materials; and
• Chrysler’s Supplier Quality Assurance Manual.
  

In essence, QS-9000 defines the fundamental quality expectations of Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, truck manufacturers and other subscribing companies.

QS-9000 for you

Who are these requirements for?
QS-9000 applies to both internal and external suppliers of production, service parts and materials intended for use in a vehicle.

What are the goals of QS-9000?
The Big Three published the standard with the goal of reducing redundancy on their suppliers. But, the ultimate objectives of QS-9000 are:

• continuous improvement,
• defect reduction, and
• reduction of variation and waste.
  

How does QS-9000 relate to ISO 9000?
Because the ISO 9000 standards were built on these same principles, the Big Three decided to base their combined standard on ISO 9001. To advance their quality objectives even beyond the ISO 9000 framework, the auto makers added supplemental, automotive-specific requirements to their QS-9000 quality system standard.

General Motors suppliers were required to obtain QS-9000 registration by a qualified third-party registrar by December 31, 1997. New suppliers to General Motors had to obtain registration by January 1, 1996. Chrysler’s suppliers needed third-party registration by July 1997.

The criteria a QS-9000 registrar must meet
To assure the consistency and objectivity of QS-9000 audits, the Big Three are very specific when it comes to the registrars from which they will accept third-party registration. Appendix B of QS-9000 includes a "Code of Practice" -- a list of 12 criteria your QS-9000 registrar must meet. UL meets all of these criteria.

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