Release of products & services
Plain-language summary
Nothing ships until planned verification proves it conforms — and the release record names the evidence and the person who authorised it.
What the clause is really asking
Implement the planned arrangements at appropriate stages to verify requirements are met. Release does not proceed until arrangements are satisfactorily completed (unless authorised by relevant authority and customer where applicable). Records show evidence of conformity against acceptance criteria and traceability to the authorising person(s).
What auditors look for
Auditors sample shipments back to release evidence: inspection/test records complete against acceptance criteria, signed/authorised by whom, concession paperwork where planned checks were not done. Release under schedule pressure with incomplete verification is the finding they expect to find.
Typical evidence
Final inspection/test records; release authorisations; certificates of conformity; concession records for early release.
How to comply — recommendations
Make release a named, recorded act — a person (not a department) authorises against a checklist of completed verifications. ERP release status linked to inspection completion enforces it structurally.
Common nonconformities
Shipments with incomplete inspection records; release by whoever was on shift, untraceable; acceptance criteria undefined for the final check.
Related clauses
IATF 16949: extended by 8.6.1-8.6.6
In the book
Chapter 8 — Operation — Where the Product Is Won or Lost 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.
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