TSMC achieved a record by completing a company-wide ISO/TS 16949:2000 certification only five months after these new quality specifications were issued. In doing so, TSMC became the first world-wide IC manufacturer to obtain the new certification. The announcement, made in September by a third-party auditor, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., stated that all TSMC's fabs and supporting units, including its 300mm fab, passed ISO/TS 16949 certification. TSMC Fab 12, a 300mm fab, was the first of its type to obtain both QS-9000 and the ISO/TS 16949:2002 quality system certification at the same time. In addition, TSMC Fab 12, set another quality systems record by becoming the fastest semiconductor fab to attain quality certification. As part of the certification program, Underwriters Laboratories identified leadership and commitment, technology, and people as the company's most important assets.

What is ISO/TS 16949? ISO/TS 16949 is a set of technical specifications that, in conjunction with ISO 9001:2000,defines quality management system requirements for the design and evelopment,production and, when relevant, installation and service of automotive-related products. The purpose of this standard is to have a single document and registration scheme acceptable to worldwide (especially European and US) automotive industries. The major differences between QS-9000 and ISO/TS 16949 are:

Management shall define quality objectives and measurements that should be included in the business plan and used to deploy the quality policy. The organization shall provide on the job training for any personnel with new or modified jobs affecting product quality including contract or agency personnel. The organization shall have a process to motivate employees to achieve quality objectives, to make continuous improvements, and to create an environment to promote innovation. The organization shall identify, document, and review the requirements of manufacturing process design input, including product design output data, customer requirements, experiences from previous, developments, productivity, cost, etc. Supplier performance shall be monitored through indicators such as the following: a) delivered part quality performance, b) customer disruptions, including field returns, c) delivery schedule performance, d) special status of customer notifications related to quality or delivery issues.

ISO/TS 16949:2002 QS-9000 ISO 14001 OHSAS 18001 Fab 2 Fab 3 Fab 5 Fab 6 Fab 7 Fab 8 Fab 12

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