vor 2 Jahren

In order to regularly provide the best services for our customers, we continuously have ourselves and our processes put to the test. From 14 to 15 June 2021, the time had come again. The goal was the re-certification according to IATF 16949, which is about the strict requirements of the worldwide automotive industry according to the International Automotive Task Force (IATF). The certification according to ISO 9001 is the required basis for this.

We are very pleased to announce that we have received the certificate also for the next three years. Thus we can look back on almost 30 years of being certified according to ISO 9001 or IATF 16949. Oliver Jost, Head of Quality Management, is responsible for carrying out the certification at Finkernagel. We asked him a few questions about the audit.

What exactly is being audited?

Oliver Jost: The company processes are checked with regard to their conformity to standards. In a nutshell, this means that for each documented process of the company, it is checked whether what is regulated in this process is actually practiced in the company. This is checked on the basis of examples that the auditor selects without prior notice. In addition, the entire production process, including maintenance, is also checked for conformity with the standard using examples.

What is the biggest challenge in re-certification?

Oliver Jost: The interpretation of standard requirements is subject to constant change. Every year, additional requirements are added. What was accepted last year, for example, is no longer possible the next year. It is not so easy to always know the exact interpretation of the standard. Especially since different auditors can interpret standard requirements differently. The biggest challenge is that with each re-certification there is a new auditor who has to get to know the company or the industry peculiarities anew. But that also makes it exciting every time.

How often is the certificate renewed? So when is the next certification due?

Oliver Jost: A certification cycle is completed for three years. In the first year, re-certification takes place, during which all company processes are reviewed. The 1st periodic audit then follows in June 2022, and the 2nd periodic audit in June 2023. During the periodic audits, only the majority of the company processes are checked on a random basis. The certificate is issued for the entire three years, but if something goes wrong in the meantime, it can be revoked.

Update 11.7.2022:

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We successfully passed the upcoming periodic certification audit in June 2022. In particular, our focused approach to developing our strategic goals for the future made a lasting impression on the DNV auditor. Of course, potential for improvement was also uncovered, which must now be worked on in the form of secondary deviations in the next 60 days. However, as a conclusion of the audit, it was confirmed to us that we maintain an excellent management system for a medium-sized company of our size and act very forward-looking in many future topics.