The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) collaborated on the development of ISO/TS 16949, which was subsequently submitted to and approved by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This Quality Management System specification is widely recognized in the automotive industry and the current version, TS 16949:2009, was last updated in 2009. It includes all the requirements of ISO 9001, with additional requirements that are specifically tailored to the automotive industry.

ISO/TS 16949:2009 is intended to promote the development of a quality management system that emphasizes continuous improvement, defect prevention, and the reduction of waste and variation in the automotive supply chain. It is applicable to companies involved in the design, development, production, installation, and servicing of automotive-related products. This standard is designed to follow a process-based approach that prioritizes achieving customer satisfaction and incorporates automotive-specific requirements into the ISO 9001:2000 framework.

Obtaining the TS/ISO 16949 certificate comes with several benefits such as:

1. Increased credibility when bidding for global sourcing contracts or expanding locally.
2. Decreased need for multiple second and third-party audits.
3. Reduced production variations and improved manufacturing efficiency, which can have a positive impact on the bottom line.
4. Improved procedures and product quality.
5. Enhanced confidence when bidding for international sourcing contracts.