Abstract
The consequences of the challenge of the market globalization and the integration of the Customer-Supplier chain are examined. The need of enhancing both the effectiveness and the efficiency of the entire chain of Customer-Supplier on a worlwide basis, together with the continuous improvement of substantial product quality levels, leads towards a common set of principle based requirements for an enlarged prevention and product oriented ISO based Quality System.
Considerations are given about the work in progress between representatives of the main car manufacturers and supplier associations of Europe and US, with a common quality oriented goal, towards the harmonization of automotive specific requirements.