VDA 6.3 Process Audit Service | Factory Audit

VDA 6.3 Process Audit

Pro QC International provides VDA 6.3 process audit, and other supporting services to OEMs and suppliers of the German automotive industry in Europe, Asia, North America, the Middle East, and North Africa through a large network of experienced and qualified VDA 6.3 auditors.

Pro QC’s VDA 6.3 process audits answer the following needs:

A company needs to audit its supplier to assess its compliance level with VDA 6.3
A supplier wants to comply with OEM and client requirements
A company seeks to improve its quality performance

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Sample Reports

Control compliance, performance and facilitate continuous improvement

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VDA 6.3:2016 Process Audit Approach

Pro QC VDA 6.3 auditors will assess the production line according to the framework described below and identify potential risks from the preliminary phase to after-sales service and the processing of customer complaints. This encompasses the design and development of the product, process development, qualification, and production.

Pro QC’s on-site VDA 6.3 audits are based on factual observations.

What is VDA 6.3 Process Audit?

VDA 6.3 uses a process-based approach to evaluate and improve controls related to new product introduction and manufacturing processes.

VDA 6.3 is a standard developed by VDA-QMC (Verband der Automobilindustrie – Qualitätsmanagement-Center) for the German automotive industry. It sets the requirements for conducting process audits for companies that provide products or services for this sector. In 2016, a new version of the VDA 6.3 standard was released. It was revised to match the manufacturing process audit requirements within IATF 16949:2016.

The VDA 6.3 process audit is often required for OEMs supplying to German automotive companies. The audit focuses on the production process of the component they are supplying.

Although this process audit centers on the automotive industry, it is an excellent framework that can be applied to any product type in any industry when companies are looking to improve their quality output.

Rather than just focus on the quality management system, the VDA 6.3 process audit focuses on a particular product and assesses the factory’s ability in product quality planning, process development, and associated process controls. The audit approach provides a numeric scoring system and thus a measurable result. The higher the VDA score the lower the quality risk of the particular component that was audited.

It is important to note that an IATF 16949 certified factory doesn’t always equate to a high VDA 6.3 score, because even a factory with Good QMS can have varying performance in the different production lines due to many factors. This is why companies need to perform VDA 6.3 process audits, especially on certain critical components.

VDA 6.3:2016 Process Audit Checklist

The audit checklist is based on the 2016 version and is comprised of:

P2 – Project Management
P3 – Planning the Product and Process Development
P4 – Implementation of the Product and Process Development
P5 – Supplier Management
P6 – Process Analysis / Production
P6.1 – Process Input (What goes into the process?)
P6.2 – Process Management (Are all production processes controlled?)
P6.3 – Personnel resources (What function support the process?)
P6.4 – Material resources (What means are used to implement processes?)
P6.5 – Process Efficiency (How effective is the process being carried out?)
P6.6 – Process result /output (What should the process produce?)
P7 – Customer Care / Customer Satisfaction / Service

Pro QC’s VDA 6.3 Process Audit Outcomes

Audit report delivered within 72 hours after the service

Pro QC clients can expect an organized audit report delivered within 72 hours after the service and presented in exhaustive detail. Each report provides:

A summary of the audit
The overall audit score and compliance level with VDA 6.3.
The compliance level for each part of the standard (P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7). Each finding is explained in clear language and color-coded.
The recommended corrective actions to implement.
Objective evidence such as photos, interviews, and examined records and documents.

Corrective action plan

The audit is only the first step. If the compliance level is not sufficient, a corrective action plan must be implemented at the factory to eliminate nonconformance and improve process performance. Pro QC supports clients in reaching full compliance by:

Performing a VDA 6.3 process audit
Establishing a corrective action plan
Verifying corrective action implementation through detailed follow-up activities
Controlling performance and facilitating continuous improvement.

Our auditors are certified with VDA 6.3 and can be deployed at suppliers or factories for short- and long-term projects. Whether compliance or factory performance improvement is required, Pro QC will offer the appropriate solution.

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