APQP Certification: Standards, Audit Requirements, and Definitions for Quality Assurance
APQP certification is a recognized and highly sought-after standard among businesses in the automotive industry. Companies that reach this level of achievement are seen as more reliable and have greater trust among their customers. This article will cover the standards, audit requirements, and definitions for quality assurance associated with APQP certification.
Introduction to APQP Certification
APQP certification is a set of standards created by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) to ensure the highest level of quality in the automotive industry. The purpose of APQP is to ensure that automotive companies have the processes and procedures in place to produce products that meet customer expectations and comply with industry regulations. Achieving APQP certification requires a comprehensive and thorough analysis of a company’s quality system and its ability to meet the requirements of the certification.
What is APQP Certification?
APQP stands for Advanced Product Quality Planning. It is an internationally recognized standard used by automotive companies to demonstrate their commitment to quality. The standard consists of five phases: Plan and Define Program, Product Design and Development, Process Design and Development, Product and Process Validation, and Feedback, Assessment, and Corrective Action. Each phase has specific requirements that need to be met in order for a company to achieve APQP certification.
Benefits of APQP Certification
APQP certification is beneficial to automotive companies in a number of ways. It helps to improve product quality and reduce customer complaints. It also helps to reduce costs by eliminating the need for costly rework and scrap. Additionally, it provides a competitive advantage by helping to establish a reputation for high quality products and services.
APQP Certification Standards
The Five Phases of APQP Certification
The five phases of APQP certification are Plan and Define Program, Product Design and Development, Process Design and Development, Product and Process Validation, and Feedback, Assessment, and Corrective Action. These phases are designed to ensure that all aspects of product development and production are addressed and that the final product meets customer expectations and industry regulations.
- Plan and Define Program: This phase covers the planning and definition of the product. It includes setting objectives for the project, defining customer requirements, and establishing design and process parameters.
- Product Design and Development: This phase covers the design and development of the product. It includes designing and developing the product, conducting a design review, and creating a prototype.
- Process Design and Development: This phase covers the design and development of the production process. It includes determining the process flow, selecting the appropriate equipment and materials, and testing the process.
- Product and Process Validation: This phase covers the validation of the product and process. It includes conducting tests to ensure the product meets customer requirements and that the process is capable of producing consistent results.
- Feedback, Assessment, and Corrective Action: This phase covers the feedback, assessment, and corrective action stages of the process. It includes monitoring customer feedback, assessing the performance of the product, and implementing corrective actions as needed.
APQP Certification Requirements
In order to achieve APQP certification, companies must meet certain requirements. These requirements include: having a documented quality system, training employees on the quality system, auditing the system to ensure compliance, and providing evidence of the system’s capabilities.
- Documented Quality System: Companies must have a documented quality system that outlines the processes and procedures necessary to meet the requirements of the APQP certification.
- Employee Training: Employees must be trained on the quality system in order to properly understand and apply the processes and procedures.
- System Audits: Companies must audit their quality system to ensure that it meets the requirements of the certification.
- Evidence of System Capabilities: Companies must provide evidence that their system is capable of meeting the requirements of the certification.
APQP Certification Audit Requirements
In order to achieve APQP certification, companies must undergo an audit. The audit is conducted by a qualified third-party auditor and is designed to verify that the company meets the requirements of the APQP certification.
Auditing Process
The auditing process begins with an initial audit of the company’s quality system. The auditor then reviews the documentation and conducts interviews with personnel to verify that the system meets the requirements of the certification. After the initial audit, the company must address any issues that were identified and submit a report to the auditor. The auditor will then conduct a follow-up audit to verify that the issues have been addressed.
Audit Checklist
The auditor will use a checklist to ensure that all aspects of the quality system have been reviewed. The checklist includes items such as: management commitment, quality policies and procedures, product design and development, process design and development, product and process validation, and feedback, assessment, and corrective action.
Defining Quality Assurance for APQP Certification
Quality Control vs. Quality Assurance
Quality control and quality assurance are two closely related concepts. Quality control is the process of ensuring that a product meets the customer’s expectations. Quality assurance is the process of continuously verifying and improving the quality of a product or service. For APQP certification, it is important to understand the difference between these two concepts.
Definition of Quality Assurance for APQP Certification
For APQP certification, quality assurance is defined as a continuous process of verification and improvement. It includes assessing the product or service, ensuring that it meets customer requirements, and making improvements as needed. The goal of quality assurance is to ensure that products and services meet customer expectations and comply with industry regulations.
Conclusion
APQP certification is a highly sought-after standard among companies in the automotive industry. It requires companies to meet specific standards, audit requirements, and definitions for quality assurance. By achieving APQP certification, companies are able to demonstrate their commitment to quality and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.