Common Certifications in Automotive Parts Manufacture

In the global automotive supply chain, internationally recognized certifications are a fundamental requirement for automotive parts manufacturers serving OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers. This article from THACO INDUSTRIES will outline the most critical certifications that validate quality management systems, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing credibility for participation in international automotive supply chains.

Why Certifications Matter in Automotive Parts Manufacturing

In today’s automotive supply chain, internationally recognized certifications are a basic requirement for suppliers serving OEMs and Tier-1 manufacturers. In automotive parts manufacturing, these certifications confirm controlled processes, regulatory compliance, and the ability to support stable, long-term production programs.

As vehicle platforms become more complex and globally distributed, OEMs and Tier-1 buyers increasingly use certifications as objective benchmarks to assess supplier capability, process discipline, and compliance readiness. However, not all certifications carry the same weight or serve the same purpose.

The following sections outline the most critical certifications in automotive parts manufacture and their impact on quality, compliance, and production reliability.

Automotive Quality Management Standard (IATF 16949:2016)

IATF 16949:2016 is the core quality management standard developed specifically for the automotive industry, replacing ISO/TS 16949 to reflect higher expectations on process control, risk management, and supply chain integration for automotive parts manufacturers.

Key focus areas include:

• Process consistency across high-volume production programs
• End-to-end traceability from incoming materials to final delivery
• Defect prevention through structured risk analysis (PFMEA, control plans)
• Continuous improvement driven by data monitoring and corrective actions

Rather than relying on final inspection, the standard requires quality to be built into every production stage, supporting stable output for automotive OEM parts.

IATF 16949:2016 also serves as a unified quality framework aligning OEMs, Tier-1, and Tier-2 suppliers, enabling standardized audits and clearer quality expectations across global supply chains.

As a result, the certification is commonly treated as a mandatory sourcing requirement by global automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, especially for long-term and high-volume programs.

The standard typically covers:

• Body and chassis components
• Wiring harnesses and electrical systems
• Interior and exterior parts
• Safety- and performance-critical assemblies.

Quality Management System Foundation (ISO 9001:2015)

ISO 9001:2015 is the fundamental quality management framework supporting automotive parts manufacture and broader industrial production. The standard establishes a structured system for managing processes, responsibilities, and quality objectives in a consistent and auditable way.

In practice manufacturing environments, ISO 9001:2015 enables:

• Standardized of workflows across departments and production lines
• Documented operating procedures and change control
• Controlled production processes to reduce variability

These elements support repeatable product quality, batch-to-batch consistency, and systematic risk identification and control. For suppliers of automotive OEM parts, this operational stability is essential to meeting delivery commitments and maintaining baseline quality performance.

ISO 9001:2015 serves as the structural quality management foundation for IATF 16949:2016. While IATF introduces automotive-specific requirements such as APQP, defect prevention, and traceability, ISO 9001:2015 defines the core management system on which these requirements are structured.

Beyond OEM programs, the standard remains highly relevant for:

• Aftermarket suppliers
• Component manufacturers
• Non-safety-critical automotive parts

In these cases, ISO 9001:2015 provides buyers with confidence in process discipline, documentation control, and consistent manufacturing performance.

Environmental and Occupational Safety Compliance (ISO 14001:2015 & ISO 45001:2018)

In automotive parts manufacture, environmental responsibility and workplace safety are baseline requirements rather than optional add-ons. OEMs and Tier-1 manufacturers increasingly evaluate partners based on sustainability performance, ESG compliance, and operational risk management.

ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental management

• Control emissions and industrial waste
• Improve energy and resource efficiency
• Ensure regulatory environmental compliance
• Reduce environmental footprint across production

This standard demonstrates a supplier’s ability to operate responsibly while maintaining stable manufacturing performance.

ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational health & safety

• Systematic risk identification in the workplace
• Preventive safety controls and training programs
• Continuous improvement in labor protection
• Reduced accident rates and production disruptions

For labor-intensive automotive production, ISO 45001:2018 is critical to maintaining safe and continuous operations.

Strategic value for OEM sourcing

• Supports ESG audits and sustainability assessments
• Required in many EU and developed-market supply chains
• Signals long-term operational reliability

For buyers, these certifications help minimize:

• Regulatory risk
• Operational interruptions
• Reputational exposure

This strengthens long-term sourcing partnerships and supports stable, sustainable automotive supply programs.

Market Access and Product Compliance (CE Marking)

For suppliers serving the European market, CE Marking acts as a market-entry requirement, not a direct quality indicator in automotive parts manufacture. It confirms compliance with EU regulations on safety, health, and environmental protection, allowing products to be legally sold within the EU.

Scope of application

• Applies to specific automotive components and assemblies
• Commonly covers structural, safety-related, and load-bearing parts
• Governed by defined EU directives and technical standards

Key compliance requirements

• Formal conformity assessment
• Complete technical documentation
• Traceable production and testing records

For OEMs and Tier-1 buyers, CE Marking:

• Reduces regulatory and approval risks
• Accelerates cross-border sourcing
• Ensures components meet EU vehicle program requirements

This enables smoother integration into regulated markets while minimizing legal and supply-chain exposure.

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS and REACH)

RoHS and REACH are critical EU regulations governing hazardous substance control in automotive manufacturing.

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)

• Limits specific hazardous materials in:
  • Electrical & electronic components
  • Coatings and surface treatments
• Protects human health and the environment
• Commonly applies to wiring systems, electronic modules, and treated metal parts

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals)

• Regulates chemical safety across the supply chain
• Requires:

– Substance registration

– Risk assessment

– Full material traceability

• Ensures controlled use of chemicals throughout production

For automotive parts supplied to the European market, compliance with RoHS and REACH is particularly critical for electrical systems, interior components, coatings, and surface finishes. Meeting these requirements helps prevent shipment delays, customs rejection, or costly recalls, while also supporting long-term supplier approval and regulatory confidence for OEMs and Tier-1 customers.

THACO INDUSTRIES: Automotive Manufacturing in Compliance with Global Quality Standards

With certified OEM/ODM manufacturing systems aligned with international standards, THACO INDUSTRIES is a reliable production partner for global automotive programs. This flexibility supports automakers and Tier-1 suppliers across Europe, including the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The corporation also serving customers in demanding export markets such as North America, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Poland, and ASEAN countries.

The corporation maintains long-term supply partnerships with global automotive brands including Kia, Mazda, BMW, Peugeot, Hyundai, Toyota, Isuzu, and Ford. This reinforces its strong reputation for stable supply capability, regulatory compliance, and scalable manufacturing.

Leveraging its international OEM partnerships and export markets, THACO INDUSTRIES reinforces its role as a reliable OEM/ODM manufacturing partner, supporting high-volume and long-term automotive supply programs worldwide. 

Operating under internationally recognized management systems, THACO INDUSTRIES embeds quality, safety, and sustainability requirements directly into its manufacturing processes. 

• For example, automotive programs are governed by structured quality control frameworks under IATF 16949:2016, which standardizes inspection points, defect prevention methods, and corrective action procedures across all production stages. This ensures consistent product quality and traceability throughout the automotive supply chain.
• In fabrication and welding operations, the corporation applies qualified welding procedures in compliance with ISO 3834 and EN 1090, ensuring controlled parameters, certified welders, and documented process records. Each batch of materials is digitally tracked from incoming inspection to forming, welding, surface treatment, and final assembly, enabling full traceability for audits and export documentation.
• At the management system level, ISO 9001:2015 ensures standardized production workflows, risk control, and continuous improvement, helping maintain consistent output quality across projects. Environmental performance is governed by ISO 14001:2015, while ISO 45001:2018 ensures occupational health and safety compliance throughout operations.
• On the product compliance side, automotive components are engineered and validated to meet EU market-entry regulations through CE Marking, RoHS, and REACH. Material selection, coatings, and surface treatments are systematically evaluated to meet chemical safety and environmental requirements, while finished products undergo conformity assessments before shipment.

THACO INDUSTRIES provides comprehensive automotive manufacturing capabilities, including stamping and forming, precision machining for functional components, plastic injection molding for interior and exterior parts, and automotive-grade sub-assembly within a controlled automotive production environment. These capabilities are supported by an end-to-end service covering design consultation, tooling development, stable high-volume manufacturing with scalability, assembly, and export documentation.

Based in Vietnam, THACO INDUSTRIES operates a cost-efficient manufacturing base strategically optimized for global logistics, stable supply chains, and competitive lead times.

As an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer, car parts manufacturer, and experienced provider of ODM manufacturing solutions, THACO INDUSTRIES supports global automotive programs with disciplined production systems, compliant processes, and scalable manufacturing capacity.

For technical discussions, sourcing evaluations, or tailored automotive manufacturing solutions, please contact THACO INDUSTRIES via partsales@thaco.com.vn or hotline +84 348 620 063.