VDA 6.3 process audit is an important tool used by automotive manufacturers to assess the quality management systems and production processes of their suppliers. The process audit is based on the VDA 6.3 standard, which was developed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) to ensure that suppliers meet the high-quality standards required by the automotive industry.
The VDA 6.3 process audit covers a wide range of areas, including the management system, product development, purchasing, production, logistics, and customer service. The aim of the audit is to identify areas of improvement and to ensure that suppliers have effective processes in place to produce high-quality products that meet the requirements of the automotive industry.
The VDA 6.3 process audit is usually conducted by trained auditors who have a thorough understanding of the VDA 6.3 standard and the automotive industry. The audit is divided into two main parts: the audit preparation and the audit execution.
During the audit preparation, the auditor will review the supplier’s quality management system documentation and conduct a pre-audit to identify any potential issues. This allows the supplier to address any issues before the actual audit takes place.
The audit execution involves a detailed review of the supplier’s processes, procedures, and documentation. The auditor will interview personnel, review records and documentation, and observe the production process to assess compliance with the VDA 6.3 standard. The auditor will also identify any non-conformances and make recommendations for improvements.
The results of the VDA 6.3 process audit are reported to the supplier, and a follow-up audit may be scheduled to ensure that any non-conformances have been addressed. The audit results are also used by the automotive manufacturer to evaluate the performance of their suppliers and to make decisions about future business relationships.
In conclusion, the VDA 6.3 process audit is an important tool used by the automotive industry to ensure that suppliers meet the high-quality standards required by the industry. The audit helps to identify areas of improvement and ensures that suppliers have effective processes in place to produce high-quality products. If you are a supplier to the automotive industry, it is important to understand the VDA 6.3 standard and prepare for the process audit to ensure that you can continue to do business with automotive manufacturers.
Conducting a VDA 6.3 process audit involves several steps. Here are some general guidelines for conducting the audit:
- Identify the scope of the audit: Determine the specific areas of the supplier’s quality management system that will be audited.
- Schedule the audit: Agree on a date and time for the audit with the supplier.
- Conduct a pre-audit: Review the supplier’s quality management system documentation and conduct a pre-audit to identify any potential issues. This will help the supplier to address any issues before the actual audit takes place.
- Conduct the audit: During the audit, review the supplier’s processes, procedures, and documentation. Interview personnel, review records and documentation, and observe the production process to assess compliance with the VDA 6.3 standard. Identify any non-conformances and make recommendations for improvements.
- Report the findings: After the audit, prepare a report that outlines the findings of the audit, including any non-conformances and recommendations for improvement.
- Follow up: If necessary, schedule a follow-up audit to ensure that any non-conformances have been addressed.
- Close out the audit: Once all non-conformances have been addressed, close out the audit and provide the supplier with a final report.
It is important to note that conducting a VDA 6.3 process audit requires specialized knowledge and expertise in the automotive industry and the VDA 6.3 standard. Therefore, it is recommended that the audit be conducted by trained auditors who have a thorough understanding of the standard and the industry
Here is an example of a VDA 6.3 process audit check sheet format
| Category | Item | Rating Scale (1-5) | Observations | Non-conformances | Corrective Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management System | 1.1.1 Management Review | 1-5 | |||
| 1.1.2 Quality Policy | 1-5 | ||||
| 1.1.3 Quality Objectives | 1-5 | ||||
| 1.1.4 Quality Planning | 1-5 | ||||
| Product Development | 2.1.1 Product Design | 1-5 | |||
| 2.1.2 Product Validation | 1-5 | ||||
| 2.1.3 Change Management | 1-5 | ||||
| Purchasing | 3.1.1 Supplier Selection | 1-5 | |||
| 3.1.2 Supplier Evaluation | 1-5 | ||||
| 3.1.3 Supplier Development | 1-5 | ||||
| Production | 4.1.1 Process Control | 1-5 | |||
| 4.1.2 Product Release | 1-5 | ||||
| 4.1.3 Product Traceability | 1-5 | ||||
| Logistics | 5.1.1 Incoming Inspection | 1-5 | |||
| 5.1.2 Warehousing | 1-5 | ||||
| 5.1.3 Shipping | 1-5 | ||||
| Customer Service | 6.1.1 Customer Complaints | 1-5 | |||
| 6.1.2 Warranty Claims | 1-5 | ||||
| 6.1.3 Field Service | 1-5 |
In this example, the categories reflect the different areas of the quality management system, and the items reflect the specific requirements of the VDA 6.3 standard. The rating scale ranges from 1 (representing non-conformance) to 5 (representing full compliance). The Observations column is used to record any observations made during the audit. The Non-conformances column is used to identify any non-conformances found during the audit. The Corrective Actions column is used to assign corrective actions and track progress in addressing non-conformances. The check sheet can be customized to include additional columns or information as needed.
