This latest guideline merges two existing evaluation methodologies—GMMOG/LE and VDA 6.3—through an unprecedented collaboration between logistics and quality experts. The integration also incorporates additional considerations, including information security, further enhancing its relevance to modern supply chain challenges.
A Comprehensive Framework for the Supply Chain
The VDA 6.8 Process Audit Supply Chain standard addresses critical elements of logistics, spanning early project planning, supplier and service management, procurement logistics, and in-house and transport logistics, culminating in customer management. By leveraging the GMMOG/LE questionnaire, VDA aims to facilitate dialogue with Odette and the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), paving the way for mutual recognition of audit results.
A Milestone for Standardization and Risk Mitigation
“This new recommendation takes the audit process from the factory floor to the roads, rails, and warehouses,” said Jürgen Mindel, Managing Director of the VDA. “VDA 6.8 represents a milestone for robust supply chains, process standardization, and risk reduction.”
Simon Motter, Chairman of the VDA Logistics Committee and head of Volkswagen Group Logistics, emphasized the significance of this development: “For the first time, all process partners across the supply chain are aligned under a single standard, setting the stage for smoother operations and optimized logistics.”
Jason Hoff, Chairman of the VDA Quality Management Committee and Mercedes-Benz executive, underscored the potential for widespread adoption: “If companies require implementation of these standards in supplier contracts, VDA 6.8 could achieve the same global influence as its predecessor, VDA 6.3.”
Training and Global Adoption
To ensure the standard’s practical application, the VDA’s Quality Management Center will offer specialized training and certifications for auditors.
The release of VDA 6.8 Process Audit Supply Chain reflects the automotive industry’s growing focus on supply chain resilience amid global disruptions. By bridging logistics and quality management, the new standard sets the stage for a more robust, secure, and synchronized value chain.