Automotive supplier certifications: quality, safety and compliance standards required by the industry

UNI EN ISO 9001 is the international reference standard for quality management systems (QMS). It is a certifiable organizational model that defines how a company should continuously plan, execute, monitor, and improve its production and management processes, with the aim of ensuring customer satisfaction and compliance with the product or service provided.

In the automotive sector, ISO 9001 certification takes on even greater importance than in other sectors. Components and equipment used within an automotive manufacturing plant - including specific metal racks, handling trolleys and storage platforms - must comply with very precise technical specifications, be manufactured from compliant materials, and ensure predictable and reliable operating life cycles. An out-of-tolerance container, a non-compliant weld or a faulty coupling system can in fact cause line breaks, damage to components and, in the worst cases, accidents at work.

Certification according to UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 (the version currently in force) requires the company to adopt a risk-based approach, maintain a documented system of procedures and records, and undergo periodic inspection checks by an accredited certifying body. Compliance with this standard is therefore essential when choosing a new supplier: ISO 9001-certified companies demonstrate an internal control system capable of ensuring the quality of supplies and constant monitoring of processes over time.

Certification to this standard attests that the company has implemented and applied an environmental management system, defined measurable improvement goals, and monitors them over time through internal audits and audits. 

The value of this certification for automotive suppliers goes far beyond regulatory compliance. In a sector where quality control and environmental sustainability are now essential aspects, an ISO 14001 certified supplier demonstrates a systemic vision of its business, capable of going beyond production efficiency alone. 

The UNI EN ISO 45001:2018 standard defines the requirements for a Management System for Health and Safety at Work (SGSSL). It replaced the previous OHSAS 18001 by introducing a more structured and integrated approach, with a significant emphasis on proactive risk prevention rather than just responding to negative events. In other words, the standard not only requires the company to react to accidents appropriately, but also requires the organization to identify hazards before they arise, assess associated risks, and implement proportionate and documented control measures.

For a company that produces metal equipment and racks in the automotive sector - with processes that include cutting and bending sheet metal, welding, surface treatments, and handling structures of considerable weight - health and safety management is a daily operational priority. Production activities present specific risks related to the use of industrial machinery, exposure to high temperatures during welding, manual and mechanical handling of heavy loads, and the use of chemicals in painting and finishing processes. Managing these risks systematically is not just a legal obligation: it is a necessary condition for ensuring the continuity of the production process and the protection of the people who work there every day.

ISO 45001 certification states that the company has implemented this system in a verifiable manner: with documented procedures for risk assessment, staff training and training plans, incident and near miss reporting and management processes, and a periodic review system involving company management.
For those who have to choose an automotive equipment supplier for their plant, this certification offers an important guarantee: that the selected partner manages safety aspects as carefully as they manage product quality.

Alongside system certifications, there are specific product and process technical standards that are of particular importance in the evaluation of a supplier of metal containers and structures for the automotive industry. 
The UNI EN ISO 3834-2:2021 standard concerns the quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials. To understand its relevance, it is useful to clarify a fundamental technical concept: welding is classified as a special process, that is, a process whose result is not fully verifiable through inspections of the finished product. 

Unlike machining, where the dimensions and tolerances of the workpiece can be measured directly, the quality of a welded joint depends on process variables (such as temperature, feed rate, heat input, quality of the filler material) that do not leave visible traces on the surface but determine the structural strength of the joint over time. A seemingly intact welded joint can hide internal defects that only appear under load or after a certain number of use cycles.

For this reason, ISO 3834-2 does not simply define requirements for the finished product, but imposes rigorous control over the entire process: welding personnel must be qualified according to the relevant European standards, equipment must undergo planned maintenance and be periodically verified, and welding procedures must be validated through qualified tests before being applied in production. For those who purchase metal containers intended for intensive use cycles in automotive plants, this certification is an essential technical guarantee for the structural strength and durability of the product.

The UNI EN 1090-1:2012 standard concerns the CE marking for metal structures made of steel and aluminium. It defines the requirements for conformity assessment of structural components intended for marketing in the European market and requires the manufacturer to adopt a factory production control system (FPC - Factory Production Control) documented and verified by a notified body. Its presence in the certification portfolio of an industrial metal equipment manufacturer attests that the company operates according to a structured production control system that complies with European regulations on metal construction products.

In recent years, alongside technical and systems certifications, a broader evaluation dimension has emerged in automotive regulations: ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance). The ESG framework analyzes an organization's performance along three distinct but related axes: the environmental impact of its activities (Environmental), social responsibility towards workers, communities, and stakeholders (Social), and the quality of the company's control, transparency, and governance mechanisms (Governance). This is not a single technical standard, but an integrated assessment approach useful for measuring the overall reliability of its suppliers in a long-term perspective.

To understand why ESG certification has become relevant in the automotive supply chain, we need to look at the European regulatory context. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which gradually came into force from 2024, significantly extended non-financial reporting requirements for large European companies, requiring them to document and report their ESG impact across the entire value chain (including suppliers). This has generated a trickle-down effect: large European OEMs, in order to be able to fulfil their reporting obligations, have started to request structured information from their suppliers on their respective environmental, social and governance performance. 

Sustainability for automotive suppliers has therefore become a concrete, verifiable and increasingly binding requirement, destined to progressively extend to medium-sized companies with the entry into force of the CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive). 

Ferrero Automotive controls every stage of the production process, from design to final delivery, adopting a structured approach that integrates technical simulation with in-depth knowledge of automotive production processes. Raw materials are carefully selected and verified according to defined specifications. Processing processes, from welding to bending to surface treatments, are performed according to documented and monitored operating procedures. The aim is to ensure repeatability and quality of the result even on large volume orders, minimizing the risk of non-compliance on the finished product.

The same focus extends to occupational safety management and environmental sustainability. The management system adopted requires all staff (employees, suppliers and collaborators) to be constantly trained and updated on applicable safety requirements, the correct use of personal protective equipment and work equipment, and the responsible management of chemicals used in production processes. On the environmental front, the company is actively committed to improving its energy efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions through the use of renewable energy, limiting waste production and controlling the consumption of natural resources such as water and energy. This is an approach that aims for continuous improvement and actively involves all staff, creating concrete synergies between different business processes.

This integrated management system is the concrete basis on which the certifications that Ferrero Automotive has obtained over the years are based: UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 for quality management, UNI EN ISO 14001:2015 for environmental responsibility, UNI EN ISO 45001:2018 for health and safety at work, UNI EN ISO 3834-2:2021 for the quality of welding processes and UNI EN 1090-1:2012 for the CE marking of metal structures. 

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about automotive supplier certifications

1. How often does an automotive supplier need to renew its certifications?

ISO certifications follow a three-year cycle: after initial achievement, the company is subject to annual checks by the accredited certifying body, with periodic audits verifying that the requirements are maintained. Instead, a full renewal audit takes place at the end of the three-year period. This means that an ISO certification is not a one-time recognition, but an ongoing commitment that requires the company to keep its management system active, up-to-date, and compliant over time. For those who have to choose a supplier, it is always advisable to check the expiry date and the validity of the current certificate.

2. What certifications does a manufacturer of metal containers for handling car components need to have?

A manufacturer of metal containers for handling automotive components should have certifications covering both the quality of the management system and the technical compliance of the production processes. The core certifications are ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental responsibility and ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety. In addition to these, there is ISO 3834-2 for the quality of welding processes and EN 1090-1 for the CE marking of metal structures. A supplier that has all these certifications offers concrete and verifiable guarantees on the quality, durability and regulatory compliance of its products.

3. What are the criteria for identifying a reliable supplier of metal containers for auto components?

A reliable supplier of metal containers for the automotive sector is recognized by several key elements: the ability to design specific solutions for each type of component and production context, the quality and structural solidity of the products produced, and the presence of a complete certification profile that includes ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 3834-2 and EN 1090-1. Added to these elements is the ability to ensure continuity and traceability of supply over time, through a structured management system subjected to periodic independent audits. The combination of technical expertise and regulatory compliance is the most useful criterion for assessing a supplier's reliability in this area.

4. What is the difference between ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 certification in the automotive sector?

ISO 9001 is the general standard for quality management systems, applicable to any industrial sector. IATF 16949 is a specific standard for the automotive sector, which integrates the requirements of ISO 9001 with additional requirements designed for manufacturers of components intended directly for the production of vehicles. Generally speaking, IATF 16949 is required from direct suppliers of OEMs manufacturing vehicle parts. For suppliers of equipment and racks for internal handling, ISO 9001 certification is the most appropriate and commonly required reference standard.

Are you looking for a reliable partner to supply containers and storage and handling solutions for the automotive industry? Contact us! Our team is always available to analyze your needs and together identify the solution that best suits your production context.