The last update of the volume VDA 6.3 was published in January 2023.
No, the VDA 6.3:2016 certificates retain their validity and can only be extended when they expire.
The companies themselves must determine the time for the changeover; for legal reasons, this may not be specified by the VDA QMC.
According to the new volume, audits may only be carried out once the training course “From VDA 6.3:2016 to VDA 6.3:2023 – Upgrade” has been completed. It is available as a live online training course (ID 333) and as a web-based training course (ID 384). The live online training course (ID 333) is offered until 31 December 2024, the web-based training course (ID 384) can also be completed beyond this date, proof of successful participation must be provided at the latest for the renewal of the VDA 6.3 certificate.
For the initial qualification of both internal and external (supplier) auditors there is a standard four-day training course:
VDA 6.3:2023 – Process Auditor – Qualification (ID 381)
After participation and passing the knowledge test, a certificate of qualification is issued, which serves as professional certificate of the auditor qualification (cf. VDA Vol. 6.3:2023, p. 18).
Auditors who carry out audits for other organisations as external service providers also require a VDA 6.3 certificate qualification (cf. VDA Vol. 6.3:2023, p. 20). Apart from this, there are customer-specific requirements that go beyond the requirements of the VDA 6.3 volume. In this case, a VDA certificate VDA 6.3 from the VDA QMC or an official licence partner of the VDA QMC is required as technical certificate, for example, for internal process auditors. This certificate can be acquired with the following educational measure:
VDA 6.3:2023 – Process Auditor – Examination (ID 382)
The examination consists of an audit simulation. After passing the examination, a VDA e-certificate with a registered number is issued, which serves as professional certificate of the auditor qualification. The certificate is valid for five years from the date of the examination.
Admission to the examination is granted after a successful application review. VDA QMC participants must submit this application online after registering for the examination.
The VDA QMC licence partners make the application available to their participants in other ways, for example, as a PDF file for downloading from their own website, or send it by e-mail if required.
No, it is only possible to take the examination if all prerequisites have been met and the application has been approved by the VDA QMC or one of its licence partners. Subsequent submission of the application is not permitted.
- Certificate of qualification (or registration confirmation) of the “VDA 6.3:2023 – Process Auditor – Qualification”.
- Certificate of a total of at least three days auditor qualification based on DIN EN ISO 19011 (e.g. VDA auditor)
- Certificate of expertise in Automotive Core Tools (ID 415:2022 or ID 417:2019) or two-day training from another provider (from 2019) + Automotive Core Tools Quiz from VDA QMC
- Certificate of at least five years of full-time professional experience in a manufacturing company, of which at least two years in quality-related areas of activity (tabular CV). From three years of professional experience, company training periods can be taken into account.
Qualifications according to DIN EN ISO 19011, ISO 9001, ISO/TS or IATF 16949, for example, training as a VDA auditor, DGQ auditor or EOQ auditor are accepted as auditor qualifications. As a general rule, a training course of at least three days must have been completed, irrespective of the training provider.
No, audits performed do not replace an auditor qualification according to DIN EN ISO 19011.
Following credentials are recognised:
- Certificate of qualification of the training “Automotive Core Tools for System and Process Auditors” (ID 417:2019)
OR
- Certificate of qualification of the training “Automotive Core Tools (ACT) – Basic tools for quality management in the automotive industry” (ID 415:2022)
OR
- As an alternative, certificate of at least two days of training in automotive-specific tools from another training provider is required, in addition to having passed an Automotive Core Tools online quiz. If the quiz is not passed, the course “Automotive Core Tools for System and Process Auditors” (ID 417) must be completed.
In addition to the above mentioned certificates, 5-ADP certificates are also recognised. This certificate is held by IATF 3rd party auditors who have successfully completed all retakes regarding the Core Tools after the main examination. Please note: The number of the certificate must start with “5-ADP” and not with “4-ADP”.
No, the successful participation in the training is proven by the certificate of qualification, which you receive after passing the knowledge test.
The VDA QMC Automotive Core Tools online quiz is available to all customers.
The licence partners of the VDA QMC also offer the Automotive Core Tools Online-Quiz on their websites in their preferred language version (German, English or regional language).
In order to be able to take the quiz at the VDA QMC, you first have to register by entering your first and last name and your e-mail address. After gaining access to the quiz portal, the terms of use must be agreed upon.
The quiz consists of 30 randomly selected questions, of which at least 70 % (21 questions) must be answered correctly. Each question contains four possible answers, of which only one is correct. You have a total of 60 minutes to answer the 30 questions.
After the answers have been submitted, the result (pass/fail) is immediately sent out. After successful completion of the VDA QMC Automotive Core Tools online quiz, it is possible to download a PDF document as certificate.
It is strongly discouraged to take the VDA QMC Automotive Core Tools Online Quiz without prior preparation. Interested parties should learn about the individual VDA and AIAG core tools and the harmonised VDA-AIAG FMEA in advance before registering for the online quiz.
Using the following overview, auditors can determine where they may still need to refresh their knowledge:
| Method | Source |
| Quality/Product Creation Process | VDA-Band Reifegradabsicherung für Neuteile (RGA) (VDA Volume Securing the stage of maturity for New Parts (RGA)) |
| Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) / Special Features | AIAG & VDA FMEA-Handbuch / VDA-Band Besondere Merkmale (AIAG & VDA FMEA Manual / VDA Volume Special Features) |
| Statistical evaluation of measurement systems (MSA) | VDA-Band 5 Prüfprozesseignung (VDA Volume 5 Test Process Suitability) |
| Statistical Process Control (SPC) | Wirtschaftliche Prozessgestaltung und -lenkung (VDA-Band 4) (Economic process design and control (VDA Volume 4)) |
| Sampling procedure | VDA-Band 2: Produktionsprozess- und Produktfreigabe (PPF) (VDA Volume 2: Production Process and Product Release (PPF)) |
| Control Plan / Production Control Plan (PLP) | IATF 16949 |
| Problem solving technique | VDA-Band 8D: Problemlösung in 8 Disziplinen (VDA Volume 8D: Problem solving in 8 disciplines) |
If you have not passed the quiz, you must take the training course “Automotive Core Tools for System and Process Auditors” (ID 417) or the training course “Automotive Core Tools (ACT) – Basic Tools of Quality Management in the Automotive Industry” (ID 415).
It is not possible to repeat the quiz by registering again, only the first attempt of an online quiz candidate will be counted.
With the online quiz, prospective VDA 6.3 auditors can have their Automotive Core Tools expertise checked and confirmed. Thanks to the standardisation and unification of this query, the certificate of success for the VDA QMC Automotive Core Tools online quiz is regarded worldwide as official certificate for the auditor that he/she is at the cutting edge of technology in this subject area. This quality feature gives the VDA 6.3 certificate a higher level than before and thus gives the certificate holders an even better reputation in the automotive supply chain.
According to DIN EN ISO 19011, chapter 7.6, auditors are required to continuously improve their competence, among other things by participating in training courses. The fact that the VDA QMC requires two days of training in the area of automotive core tools means that prospective VDA 6.3 process auditors meet this requirement.
From three years of professional experience (preferably in manufacturing companies in the automotive industry), company training periods can be taken into account.
Company training periods are recognised at 50% and only in the case of completed dual training or dual studies in a technical profession in manufacturing companies.
In-company internships, working student activities or similar within the framework of academic Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programmes cannot be credited.
In principle, it is not possible to take the examination until all requirements have been met and the examination application has been approved by the VDA QMC or an official licence partner (cf. FAQ No. 6 and 8).
The examination may be repeated no more than twice and must be passed no later than one year after the first examination.
In this case, in addition to the examination requirements mentioned in point 8, certificate of successful participation in the training course “From VDA 6.3:2016 to VDA 6.3:2023 – Upgrade” (ID 333 live online training or ID 384 web-based training) must be provided.
Yes, in this case, however, certificate of successful participation in the training course “From VDA 6.3:2016 to VDA 6.3:2023 – Upgrade” (ID 333 live online training or ID 384 web-based training) must also be provided.
The examination must be passed at the latest at the second repetition and a maximum of one year after the first examination.
Certificate renewal always takes place after a successful application check. VDA QMC participants must submit their application and the required certificate online.
The VDA QMC licence partners shall provide this application in other formats, for example, as a PDF file for downloading from their own website, or send it by e-mail if required.
If a VDA 6.3 (2016) certificate has been obtained from a VDA QMC licence partner, the corresponding application for extension can also be submitted to other licence partners or to the VDA QMC.
- Verification of a valid VDA 6.3:2016 certificate
- Certificate of successful participation in the VDA 6.3 – Upgrade training: from VDA 6.3 (2016) to VDA 6.3 (2023) (ID 333 or ID 384)
- Verification of audit experience
- At least 5 process audits and/or potential analyses (with at least 10 audit days) are to be carried out as the responsible auditor during the validity period.
- In case of less than 5 process audits and/or potential analyses (with less than 10 audit days) as responsible auditor in the validity period, certificate of attendance in the workshop for certified process auditors VDA 6.3 (ID 341) is required.
The costs at the VDA QMC are € 165.- plus VAT, for licence partners the price is different and will be communicated on request.
The VDA 6.3:2023 certificate is valid for five years from the date of issue.
As the VDA 6.3:2023 certificate is valid for five years for the first time, ten audits with at least 20 audit days are required for the next extension. Nothing can be said about further requirements at the moment.
No, when extending the VDA 6.3:2023 certificate, proof of passing the VDA QMC Automotive Core Tools online quiz no longer needs to be provided.
The renewal application can be submitted up to three months after the expiry of the certificate.
If the certificate has expired for longer than three months, the examination must be taken again. For this, the examination application VDA 6.3:2023 must be submitted and the prerequisites mentioned there must be proven (cf. point 8 of the FAQ). In addition, the training “From VDA 6.3:2016 to VDA 6.3:2023 – Upgrade” must have been completed as live online training (ID 333) or as web-based training (ID 384).
The following licence partners offer the VDA 6.3 qualifications in English:
- EnconAcademy, Wildau, Germany
- TopQM-Systems GmbH, Schefflenz, Germany
- TÜV SÜD Akademie GmbH, München, Germany
- SMMT, Birmingham, Great Britain
- Allanta vzw, Hasselt, Belgium
The contact details of the above-mentioned and all other licence partners can be found here.
The new VDA Volume 6.3 applies from January 2023. There is no official transition period. The organisations involved in the audit agree via the customer-specific requirements which version an audit is based on.
Important changes have been made, especially with regard to the topics of products with integrated software and procurement activities before SoP. Furthermore, the volume was adapted to the state of the art and made even more practical (detailed changes to content, wording and streamlining of content). In the VDA 6.3 upgrade training you will receive an overview of the most important changes and can practice your new knowledge directly.
Since the changes in the new volume mainly concern the streamlining and updating of the existing content, the requirements for auditors will not change to any great extent. New in the volume is the consideration of products with integrated software and the sharpening of procurement activities before SoP. In the VDA 6.3 upgrade training you can train exactly these topics. In the VDA Automotive Software Essentials training course you can acquire basic knowledge and skills on the subject of “software”.
The evaluation scheme has not changed with the revision of the volume. The number of questions has also remained almost the same, only the distribution of the starred questions has changed (the number of star questions has remained the same). A greater focus is placed on products with integrated software with the revision, which may have an impact on the overall result.
A re-weighting of the starred questions was carried out in the course of updating the volume. Here, in addition to the content aspects, consideration was also given to how the redistribution (and thus the change in emphasis) affects the balance of the distribution of starred questions (for example: 6.3.1 is no longer starred because the number of questions in Eu3 is very low (3) and a low score has a big impact on the sub-element score and thus on the overall result).
The new VDA Volume 6.3 was revised with the aim of providing an even more practice-oriented manual. For this reason, the possibility of a management decision (which was already common practice before) has now also been included in the volume.
The interface between hardware and software for products with integrated (embedded) software has been strengthened, but the Automotive SPICE® method must be used for a detailed evaluation of software development.
In the VDA 6.3:2023 volume it is specified that no questions may be removed or added. This is the only way to ensure comparability with other audits according to VDA Volume 6.3.
Risk analysis is described in VDA Vol. 6.3 in chapter 2.4 (turtle approach). The scope of the risk analysis always depends on the product and production process risk, the scope of the process under consideration and the duration of the planned audit. It is up to the auditor to decide which method to use for the risk analysis in each individual case.
The decision matrix on p. 23 in VDA Volume 6.3 is a recommendation from the project group as to when a remote audit can be carried out. The final decision on the handling and process lies with the auditing organisation (unless otherwise specified by the customer). In principle, remote audits cannot represent a fully comprehensive VDA 6.3 process audit (P2-P7). Reasons for this are the lack of transparency during the audit process as well as technical, legal and data protection aspects. The same applies to the performance of potential analyses (P1), which can only be carried out to a limited extent without an on-site visit to the supplier. Hybrid audits, on the other hand, can be considered fully comprehensive, taking into account the risk and influencing factors.
You will find information on this in the recommendation on conducting remote audits.
In addition to the revised VDA 6.3 training courses, the new training course “Automotive Software Essentials” is offered to learn relevant software know-how.
Only the VDA Analysis Tool 2.0 can be used for audits according to VDA Volume 6.3:2023. It is available in the VDA QMC Webshop.
The Analysis Tool 1.0 was offered for over 4.5 years, and no further fees or payments were due after the purchase of the licence.
During this time, the tool was significantly upgraded and improved (version 1.8.9), and new report types were also added at no additional cost.
However, the upgrades were always limited to the release cycle of the VDA 6.3 – Edition.
With the Analysis Tool 2.0, it is much easier to document findings, notes and certificate during the audit – even without having to immediately assign them to an assessment question. The tool also simplifies communication between the auditor and the organisation with regard to the action plan: There is no longer any need to create Excel spreadsheets to coordinate regarding measures, everything can be mapped completely online and via the same user interface (cf. KARA Tool/IATF).
Currently, this option is not made available. However, we look forward to your feedback and suggestions for improvement, which you are welcome to send to the following e-mail address: vda@infosysc.de.
An Excel tool was used until a few years ago and then replaced by the new VDA Analysis Tool.