VDA 6.8 – process audit for an efficient supply chain

Quality and reliability are of crucial importance in the highly complex supply chain of the automotive industry. VDA 6.8 auditing is now setting a new assessment standard. What specific advantages does this offer? Christian Schaller, Principal Logistics and Factory Planning at LOGSOL, mentions higher customer satisfaction, improved processes and competitive advantages as important points. “VDA 6.8 helps to minimize risks in the supply chain,” summarizes the Head of the Supplier Business Unit. Effect: Increased reliability and safety.
In contrast to other VDA 6.x standards, which primarily concentrate on product quality, VDA 6.8 focuses on processes such as transportation, storage, packaging, cleaning and other supporting services.

The standard was developed together with leading automotive manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers and partners. It consolidates customer-specific catalogs into a global industry standard. It also provides a uniform and comprehensive framework for auditing logistics processes. At the same time, it is matched with the logistics self-assessment MMOG/LE (Materials Management Operations Guideline/Logistics Evaluation). The rules and regulations of the audit contain around 180 logistics-related questions and more than 700 minimum requirements for processes, applicable to both greenfield and brownfield processes. As a result, weak points can be identified at an early stage, risks in the supply chain can be minimized and logistical performance can be increased across the supply chain. Similar to other VDA 6.x standards, the turtle system is used – but here with a clear focus on processes along the supply chain.

The results of an audit according to VDA 6.8 are not comparable with the results of an audit according to VDA 6.3 D because of the newly developed and adapted evaluation system.
In principle, the audit is carried out on site, but under certain conditions a remote audit analogous to ISO 19011 (auditing of management systems) is also possible.
Auditing is particularly necessary for product launches or when changing suppliers. The specified potential analysis can also be used to assess the suitability of new suppliers or service providers before awarding contracts. Self-assessments for internal evaluation and exchange with partners can be implemented as well.

LOGSOL conducts process audits and can rely on an experienced team with know-how from numerous logistics and supply chain audits in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa).
On the other hand, LOGSOL supports companies subject to audits in the preparation and implementation of such audits. This includes experience from existing logistics and supply chain assessment procedures of leading vehicle manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes, Ford, Stellantis and the VW Group, as well as MMOG/LE.