1. Objectives
The objective of this follow-up activity is to follow the ISO/TS16949 de-certification process as per rules 4th edition, see section 8.
Client responsibility
SGS shall require the client to submit, within a maximum of sixty (60) calendar days from the closing meeting of the site audit, evidence of the following;
a) Implemented correction,
b) Root cause, including methodology used, analysis, and results
c) Implemented systemic corrective actions to eliminate each nonconformity, including consideration of the impact to other similar processes and products
d) Verification of effectiveness of implemented corrective actions
For Major nonconformities
The certified client shall determine root cause & implement corrections (containment) & submit to the auditor within 15 calendar days from the end of the site audit.
Any Major non-conformity will result in the client certificate being placed in suspension. As per rules 4th edition see 8.3. Certificate suspension is a temporary status not exceeding 110 calendar days which results in either the reinstatement or withdrawal of the certificate. During suspension, the ISO/TS 16949 certificate remains valid and is still recognized by the IATF.
Certification body responsibility
Audit team member shall review the evidence & make a decision regarding acceptability within a maximum of ninety (90) calendar days from the closing meeting.
If acceptable, the non-conformitie(s) shall be closed.
If found not acceptable, the audit team member shall resolve the outstanding issues with the client within ninety (90) calendar days from the closing meeting.
In exceptional case(s) when nonconformity is open but 100% resolved with justification, action plan completion dates & agree follow-up audit date on site prior to the planned next visit by SGS Auditor.
If resolution cannot be completed, the final audit result shall be considered failed & the certificate shall be immediately withdrawn. The client shall start over with an initial certification audit (stage 1 + stage 2).
For minor non-conformities reviewed off-site, the corrective actions shall be verified at the next planned audit with additional time added to the Audit Plan to confirm effectiveness of the action implemented. If corrective action found NOT to be effectively implemented a new major Non-Conformity shall be issued against the clients corrective action process and the previous Non-Conformity reissued as a major
Onsite verification
A major nonconformity shall require onsite verification of the corrective action plan & shall be completed within a maximum of ninety (90) calendar days from the closing meeting.