Introduction of IATF USI

Introduction of IATF USI

As announced by IATF, the IATF Unique Site Identifier Code (or IATF USI hereafter) will be introduced on Oct 2, 2022 in the IATF 16949 Certification Scheme. All types of physical locations involved in an IATF 16949 certification, including manufacturing sites, extended manufacturing sites and stand-alone remote support locations (without manufacturing process), will be assigned a permanent identifier.

• All manufacturing sites with a valid (issued or suspended) IATF 16949 certificate will automatically be assigned an IATF USI in Oct 2022.
• The associated manufacturing site extensions will be assigned their own IATF USI.
• The assignment of an IATF USI to stand-alone remote support locations will take place at later time.

Maintenance and Change of IATF USI

As long as a physical location stays at the same physical address, the IATF USI will be kept over the lifetime of the IATF 16949 certification. The IATF USI is maintained even in the following cases:

• a change of location name
• a manufacturing site extension becomes a certified site and vice versa
• a stand-alone remote location becomes a certified site and vice versa
• change of certification body
• previously certified site starts over with new initial certification

The IATF USI is only reassigned in the case of a move of a client location to a different physical address (site move/relocation).

Format of IATF USI

The IATF USI is a 6 digit, randomly generated alphanumeric code which cannot be modified.

Impacts to DQS' Clients

• For a Recertification Audit, Surveillance Audit or Special Audit for Scope Change with audit start date on or after Oct 2, 2022, the client shall communicate the IATF USI of site (and Extended Manufacturing Site, when applicable) to DQS' Audit Team Leader.
• For above audit, the IATF USI shall be verified by Lead Auditor at IATF certificate validity check portal before audit and recorded in CARA report.
• The IATF USI will be shown on the IATF 16949 certificate, after completion and approval of an Initial Audit, Recertification Audit, Surveillance Audit with certificate change or Special Audit for scope change, with audit start date on or after Oct 2, 2022.
• The IATF USI does NOT apply to Letter of Compliance (LOC) for IATF 16949.
• After assignment of an USI in IATF database, regardless of whether being listed in certificate, the location's address will be locked for revision in IATF database, unless a change to the registered address by the local government. (Clients shall pay attention to it!)
• More specific requirements and timescales, will be communicated later by IATF, such as the application to remote locations.

How to check IATF USI?

After above stated implementation date, visit https://85.214.203.6/ to check the IATF USI with the IATF No. of a valid IATF 16949 certificate.

Referenced source: IATF website.

About DQS

DQS is the 1st Certification Body approved by IATF for ISO/TS 16949 certification service, which is replaced by IATF 16949 certification at present.
Meanwhile, DQS Academy provides professional IATF 16949:2016 Internal Auditor and Core Tools Training Courses.