IATF 16949 QMS defines the quality management system for the design, development, production (and wherever applicable), installation and service of automotive related products. The main aim of the system is to have continual improvement, emphasizing defect prevention and reduction of variation and waste in the supply chain.

IATF 16949 QMS technical specification is applicable to sites of the organization where customer specified parts, for production and/or service, are manufactured. It differs from other ISO standards in two important ways: It is restricted to automotive companies and their suppliers; and it requires compliance with customer's requirements worldwide and not just regionally.