Automotive QMS Audit (VDA 6.1)

VDA 6.1 is a quality management system audit scheme developed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) for organisations that manufacture products. With the spread of IATF 16949, its weight on the system-audit side has diminished; the most widely used modules in the VDA family today are the process audit (6.3) and the product audit (6.5). The output is a scored assessment report.

• Manufacturers supplying German OEMs
• Suppliers required to be audited under the VDA scheme
• Organisations wanting to measure their quality system against the VDA question catalogue

Not mandatory; it depends on customer request. VDA modules are often requested in addition to IATF 16949 in German OEMs' supplier-development programmes.

• Management responsibility and quality policy
• The quality management system and documentation
• Product development and process development
• Supplier management
• Production and production control
• Customer satisfaction and field performance
• Scoring and determining the maturity level

1. 1Determining Scope and ProgrammeThe sites and processes to be audited, and the audit duration the scheme requires, are determined.
2. 2Pre-assessmentA gap analysis is optionally carried out; gaps become visible before the main audit.
3. 3On-site AuditRecords review, site observation and worker interviews are carried out against the scheme's checklist.
4. 4Reporting of FindingsFindings are reported according to the scheme's classification. The output of these schemes is an audit report, not a certificate.
5. 5Corrective Action and Follow-upA corrective action plan is submitted for the findings; it is closed with a follow-up audit under the scheme.

The validity period of audit reports is set by the scheme and is mostly between one and two years. The report is used for the period the buying brand accepts.

• Organisation and site details
• Headcount and shift pattern
• Legal permits and licences
• Relevant policies and procedures
• Payroll, time and personnel records

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of sites to be audited and the headcount
• The audit duration the scheme prescribes
• Whether a pre-assessment (gap analysis) is requested
• Whether a follow-up audit is required

Most of these schemes produce audit reports, not documents, and are subject to the scheme owner's (e.g. Sedex, amfori, RBA) own approval system; Accreditation in the classical sense is not found in every scheme. Auditor competence and report validity are determined by the scheme owner's rules.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• IATF 16949Automotive Quality Management
• VDA 6.3Process Audit
• VDA 6.5Product Audit
• ISO 26262Functional Safety
• ISO/SAE 21434Vehicle Cybersecurity
• TISAXAutomotive Information Security Assessment
• UNECEVehicle Type Approval
• E-MarkVehicle Homologation