Manufacturing sites where production, service parts, or accessory parts are mechanically attached or electrically connected to the vehicle, prior to being supplied to their automotive customer, are the only organizations eligible for certification. This includes passenger vehicles, light commercial, heavy trucks, buses, motorcycles, and other user vehicles.
However, it does not include industrial, agricultural, or off-highway vehicles, or aftermarket parts manufacturers. Automotive design and service providers also do not qualify.
With the rise in autonomous and electric vehicles entering the market in recent years, there has been some confusion around whether or not these manufacturers are also eligible for the standard.
In many cases, the software and hardware that is being outfitted on the vehicle in order to make it autonomous will be added after market, so those non-OEM approved manufacturers in these scenarios would not be eligible.
But in cases where light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology is added to the vehicle, depending on the OEM specifications, these production sites with design function will be eligible for IATF 16949. Electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturers will also be eligible.
It’s likely that as more OEMs commit to moving the industry towards becoming fuel-free, this standard’s eligibility requirements may shift to include additional manufacturing entities.