It is not always possible to produce a product that complies with the requirements. It is natural in such a situation that the product cannot reach the customer in this form. And what if such a product could be “kept”, i.e. further processed to compliance with the requirements? Let’s see what the IATF 16949: 2016 standard says about rework and repair.

Rework and repair – what is it?

To talk about the requirements for repair and conversion in a quality management system, let’s see what these terms mean. Take a look at the ISO 9000:2015 standard for terminology.

Processing acting on a non-conforming product or service to make it compliant.

ISO 9000:2015 Quality management systems — Fundamentals and vocabulary, clause 3.12.8

Repair action against a non-conforming product or service, undertaken to adjust it for the intended use.

ISO 9000:2015 Quality management systems — Fundamentals and vocabulary, clause 3.12.9

What requirements can we find in the quality management system according to IATF 16949?

As repair and modification are completely different concepts, despite a certain similarity, also in the IATF 16949: 2016 standard we find separate requirements for each of them, i.e .:

• point 8.7.1.4 concerns control of reworked product,

• clause 8.7.1.5 concerns control of repaired product.

Let’s see what the requirements for each of them are.

8.7.1.4 Control of reworked product

This point requires:

  • Assess the risks before deciding to rework a product.
  • Customer approval must be obtained prior to rework the product, if required by the customer.
  • Document the approval process of rework according to the control plan to verify compliance with the original specifications.
  • Instructions for disassembly or rework, including re-inspection and traceability, should be available and followed by appropriate personnel.
  • Documented information on quantity, disposition, disposition date, and applicable traceability used should be kept.

8.7.1.5 Control of repaired product

This point requires:

  • Assess the risks before deciding to repair the product.
  • Obtain customer approval before commencing repair the product.
  • Document the approval process for the repair activities as per the control plan or other relevant documented information.
  • Instructions for disassembly or repair, including re-inspection and traceability, should be available and followed by appropriate personnel.
  • Documented customer approval for a concession for the product being repaired must be obtained.
  • Documented information on the quantity, disposition, disposition date, and applicable traceability used should be kept.

Rework and repair – where are the differences in requirements?

Reading the requirements for repair and conversion separately, it is difficult to spot the differences right away.

Below I have illustrated them for you.

Download the breakdown of requirements for rework and repair!

Hope you found the article interesting.

Thank you for your presence.

Agata Lewkowska Ph.D.

PS. If I can help you with quality management issues, please contact me. You may also join me in my private group on Facebook: ISO 9001 & IATF 16949 QualityWise Group.

For people who want to know more:

Knowledge must have a solid foundation in order to avoid information noise. Therefore, the article was based on the following literature:

IATF 16949: 2016 Requirements for quality management systems in serial production and the production of spare parts in the automotive industry, 1st edition, 2016

ISO 9000:2015 Quality management systems — Fundamentals and vocabulary

ISO 9001:2015 Quality management systems — Requirements

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