Big Three Supplier Quality Requirements Task Force Release QS-9000 Third Edition

31 March 1998
Big Three Supplier Quality Requirements Task Force Release QS-9000 Third Edition

    DETROIT, March 30 -- The Automotive Industry Action Group
(AIAG) today announced the release of the Big Three Supplier Quality
Requirements Task Force QS-9000 Third Edition here at the 1998 North American
Material Handling Show and Forum (NA 98).  The QS-9000 Third Edition was
created to simplify, clarify and improve the worldwide automotive supplier
requirements of the Big Three automakers.
    In addition to the QS-9000 Third Edition, the Big Three Supplier Quality
Requirements Task Force also released the Quality System Assessment (QSA)
Second Edition and the QS-9000 Third Edition Workbook.  All three manuals can
be ordered today for shipping on April 15.
    The QS-9000 Third Edition can be used immediately for compliance and
registration efforts by companies seeking certification.  The QS-9000 Second
Edition will become obsolete Jan. 1, 1999, unless otherwise specified by a
supplier's customer.  Included among the third edition changes are:
    - the combination of sector-specific requirements into 20 ISO-based
      elements;
    - addition of the International Auto Sector Group (IASG) Sanctioned
      QS-9000 Interpretations;
    - numbered automotive additions;
    - an expanded glossary; and
    - the addition of several quality requirements developed from European
      reviews.

    Quality System Assessment (QSA) Second Edition
    The QSA Second Edition includes the AIAG Quality System Deployment
checklist document. The QSA contains questions to many requirements in the
QS-9000 Third Edition. Certification bodies/registrars are required to use
certain questions to supplement existing ISO 9000 checklists.

    QS-9000 Third Edition Workbook
    The QS-9000 Third Edition Workbook is a dual column manual containing
second edition text in the left column with deleted content indicated by
strikeout.  The right column shows the new text for the third edition.  The
workbook will help companies easily identify changes that must be made to
quality systems based on the QS-9000 second edition.
    To help roll out the new QS-9000 information, the AIAG and ASQ will host a
QS-9000 Third Edition Roll-out Workshop with the Supplier Quality Requirements
Task Force on May 20, 1998.  Those attending the half-day workshop will
receive copies of the QS-9000 Third Edition, QSA Second Edition and the
QS-9000 Third Edition Workbook.
    To obtain a copy of the revised quality publications or for more
information on the workshop and training system, call AIAG at 248-358-3003 or
visit http://www.aiag.org.
    Founded in 1982, AIAG is a not-for-profit trade association of more than
1,300 automotive and truck manufacturers and their suppliers.  Originally
recognized for its efforts to standardize electronic data interchange (EDI)
and bar code standards to assist Tier One suppliers, AIAG's mission has
expanded to cover all levels of the automotive supply chain as well as to
include numerous programs and initiatives aimed at improving its members
productivity and quality.

SOURCE  Automotive Industry Action Group