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Supporting functions

Discussion in 'IATF 16949:2016 - Automotive Quality Systems' started by John C. Abnet, Jun 6, 2019.

  1. John C. Abnet

    John C. Abnet Well-Known Member

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    Good day QFO team;
    I would appreciate your thoughts and council on this topic.

    Here are the facts, of which you are all aware...
    1- The scope of ISO/IATF is (paraphrased:
    a) Provide conforming [automotive] product and ..
    b) enhance customer satisfaction

    2- IATF 4.3.1 requires that "supporting functions" be included in the scope of the QMS (examples such as design center, corporate headquarters, etc..)
    NOTE: Not sure how a "center" or "headquarters" equate to a "function" , but then...

    3- IATF lists the definition of "support function" as "non-production activity that supports..."

    Now that I've told you what you already know, here is my question...
    Situation:
    I'm working with a company which has multiple value add manufacturing sites and several remote activities(sales guy working from home/car, off site corporate HR [even though they have autonomous HR on site] off site IT headquarters [even though they have autonomous IT on site] etc..etc..)

    Until now, they have been vetting their "support' activities similar to how they vet "controlled" documentation. i.e. they "ask" the question "Is it critical to quality" (within the scope of 9001/IATF as stated above). In other words, if the support is WRONG or GONE can it lead to a nonconformance in the scope of ISO9001/IATF. If the answer is NO, they have not been including that particular "support" (e.g. IT headquarters) in their scope as a "supporting function" They now have an auditor that will not allow them to not include that in their scope.
    Question:
    What say all of you? How do all of you "vet" support activities? (a good example is off site "support" 'that recycles used pallets)

    Thanks in advance.

    Be well.
     
  2. Golfman25

    Golfman25 Well-Known Member

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    I think the question is "what kind of support?" which I think they are actually asking. If they have an HR and an IT representative on site, I fail to see how HQ HR and HQ IT are "supporting functions" within the scope of the standard. I am not sure the auditor is the right person to make that call. I would advance up the CB's chain to get further discussion and clarification.
     
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  3. John C. Abnet

    John C. Abnet Well-Known Member

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    Thanks @Golfman25 . I believe your statement "not sure the auditor is the right person..." highlights the problem in the situation I am speaking about.

    Any others have additional thoughts/examples regarding this ?
     
  4. Andy Nichols

    Andy Nichols Moderator Staff Member

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    Give me a call sometime, John...
     
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