The Production Part Approval Process is a standardized quality system used across the automotive supply chain. It requires suppliers to document their manufacturing process and prove that they can produce parts that meet customer specifications. PPAP submissions are reviewed and approved by the customer's quality team before regular production begins.
The AIAG PPAP Manual 4th Edition, published by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), is the primary reference for this process. It applies to all production and service parts, bulk materials, and sub-tier suppliers. The manual is aligned with the IATF 16949 quality management standard used throughout the automotive industry.
The manual specifies five submission levels. The required level depends on the part type, any engineering changes, and the customer's specifications.
Level 1 requires only a Part Submission Warrant (PSW). This level applies to non-critical parts with no engineering changes. Some customers add an Appearance Approval Report requirement.
Level 2 requires a PSW with product samples and limited supporting data. Use this level when the customer requests more than a warrant alone.
Level 3 requires a PSW with product samples and a complete supporting data package. This is the default level for most PPAP submissions. Customers use Level 3 unless the part qualifies for a simpler review.
Level 4 requires a PSW plus any other items the customer specifies. This level applies when a customer needs documentation that falls outside the standard format.
Level 5 requires a PSW and a complete data package, retained at the manufacturing location. The customer travels to the supplier's facility to review the submission on-site. This level is used for complex, high-risk, or new supplier situations.
A complete PPAP submission package can include up to 18 standard elements. The elements required depend on the submission level and any customer-specific rules.
After submission, the customer issues a Provisional Approval or Full Approval. If the package is incomplete, the customer requests corrective action before granting approval. Most Level 3 reviews take two to four weeks to complete.
The AIAG PPAP 4th Edition manual is the required reference for Cooper Industries suppliers and for all companies supplying production parts to North American automotive OEMs and their tier-1 suppliers.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | AIAG PPAP Manual 4th Edition Form |
| Form Length | 1 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 15 sec |
| Other names | aiag ppap 4th edition, ppap manual fourth edition, production part approval process manual, aiag ppap submission form, ppap level 3 checklist, ppap documentation requirements |