TS 16949 is the Automotive Standard developed and controlled by the Big 3 in America (Chrysler, Daimler and Ford).

In 1999 the International Automotive Task force (IATF) announced the launch of a global quality management system requirement based on ISO/TS 16949. Since then, the scheme has experienced continual growth. In 1999, it included 46 contracted certification bodies with over 1500 certificates issued, controlled by five IATF oversight offices. In addition, a total of 751 auditors have thus far completed the IATF qualification and are now certified to conduct audits in a globally consistent application of the requirements.

The IATF have now completed the next goal; to deliver a harmonized quality management system requirements document for the automotive industry, based on ISO 9001:2000. The resulting document, ISO/TS 16949:2002, was released in March 2002. Certification to this technical specification will provide global recognition for supplier sourcing across this industry. The revisions in this document include adoption of the process approach requirements of ISO9001: 2000, feedback from ISO/TS16949: 1999 and related experience, and the contribution of other participants including the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.(JAMA) and members of ISO/TC176. Going forward, ISO/TS 16949:2002 and the related updated IATF recognition scheme was launched in the second quarter of 2002.

ISO/TS 16949 is a specification tailored to meet the automotive manufacturer's requirements, particularly Quality, Cost and JIT delivery. It requires effective and efficient processes with contingency plans to assure un-interrupted supplies to the assembly line.

The IATF has developed a common registration scheme for supplier 3rd party registration to the ISO/TS 16949. The registration scheme includes third party auditor qualifications and common rules for consistent global registration. Some of the benefits of the IATF registration scheme include: