Process Audit (VDA 6.3)

VDA 6.3 is a question catalogue and scoring methodology used for PROCESS audits in the automotive sector. Unlike a system certificate, it measures the capability of individual production and development processes. The audit produces a percentage score and an A/B/C classification; the result is an assessment report, not a certificate.

• Automotive suppliers and sub-suppliers
• Manufacturers launching a new project (potential analysis)
• OEMs and Tier 1 firms running a supplier-development programme
• Organisations wanting to identify a process weakness after a field problem

Not mandatory; it is carried out at customer request or for internal assessment. In the automotive supply chain it is commonly used as a potential analysis before a project is awarded: the score can directly affect whether you win the business.

• P1 — Potential analysis: assessment before a new supplier or a new project
• P2 — Project management
• P3 — Planning of product and process development
• P4 — Implementation of product and process development
• P5 — Supplier management
• P6 — Production: personnel, material, machine/equipment, effectiveness/efficiency, and shipping/logistics sub-questions
• P7 — Customer care, customer satisfaction and service
• Scoring rules, downgrade rules and the A/B/C classification

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 6.1Automotive Quality Management System Audit
• VDA 6.5Product Audit
• ISO 26262Functional Safety
• ISO/SAE 21434Vehicle Cybersecurity
• TISAXAutomotive Information Security Assessment
• UNECEVehicle Type Approval
• E-MarkVehicle Homologation