A household plastics company has become a supplier for a global automobile manufacturer, or a carpet weaving workshop has joined the international automobile supply chain. A new opportunity opens up for many Vietnamese businesses thanks to the Rules 6th edition of the International Automobile Task Force 16949 (IATF 16949). Effective January 1, 2025, this set of standards redefines the industry, opening doors to many areas of the billion-dollar market. What are the specific opportunities and challenges? Nguyen Thai Nguyen, director of responsible business services (RBS) certification at SGS Vietnam, discussed this with The Saigon Times. The Saigon Times: The ISO 9001 was issued in 1987, and the IATF 16949 for the automobile industry was established in 1999. What are the main common feature and difference between these two sets of standards? Nguyen Thai Nguyen: The IATF 16949 was developed based on the ISO 9001. Therefore, both sets of standards are grounded in the quality management system ISO 9001. Both aim for continuous improvement, increased customer satisfaction, and ensuring products and services meet quality standards. The main difference is that the ISO 9001 represents the set of common standards applicable across all industries and organizations, while the IATF 19649 pertains to […]