Product safety (IATF only)
Plain-language summary
Safety-related products and characteristics demand documented, end-to-end management — from identification and special approvals to trained people, traceability and cascading the requirements down your supply chain.
What the clause is really asking
When a characteristic can hurt someone if it fails, 'mostly controlled' is not enough. The clause requires documented processes covering: identification of safety requirements and characteristics, special approval of the FMEAs and control plans that govern them, defined responsibilities and escalation, targeted training, traceability by lot, and transfer of lessons learned — including making your suppliers do the same.
What auditors look for
Auditors ask for the list of safety-related products/characteristics, then chase the chain: are they flagged on drawings, FMEAs and control plans with special approval evidence? Who is responsible, and does the night shift know the escalation route? Pick a part — can you trace its lot through the plant and to the customer? Are suppliers of safety-related components held to the same rules?
Typical evidence
Safety characteristic identification on customer drawings/control plans/FMEAs; special approval records; appointed responsibilities; training records for affected operators; lot traceability test results; supplier cascade evidence (PO clauses, supplier control plans).
How to comply — recommendations
Build one register of safety-related products and characteristics. Mark them with a distinct symbol through FMEA, control plan and work instructions. Appoint and train a product safety responsible (PSCR-style role even where the customer does not demand it). Test your own traceability quarterly — before a customer does.
Common nonconformities
Safety characteristic on the customer drawing not flagged in the control plan; no nominated product safety responsibility; traceability exercise fails or takes days; suppliers never told a characteristic is safety-related.
Related clauses
Builds on ISO 9001 4.4 / 8.5.2
In the book
Chapter 4 — Context — The Questions Before the System treats this clause family in full: what it is really asking, what auditors look for, the evidence that satisfies, how to make it work on a real floor, and where companies stumble. This IATF requirement is covered in the Automotive Edition, in the same six blocks as the ISO clause around it.
Get the free ISO 9001:2026 Readiness Scorecard
Free, instant download. We'll only email you the occasional practical quality update — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Qlause provides interpretive guidance only and is not a substitute for the standard. Refer to your licensed copy of the relevant standard for the authoritative text.