Introduction
CQI-12 training is a hands-on programme for teams that will apply AIAG’s Coating System Assessment manual at their own facility or audit it at their suppliers.
CQI-12 was developed to assess the quality systems of businesses providing coating for the automotive industry. The edition in force is the 3rd, published in 2020, replacing the 2nd edition that had been in use since February 2012.
Table of Contents
Which processes does CQI-12 cover?
The scope is broader than is often assumed. Not only paint but a whole set of surface treatment processes fall under this assessment:
- Conversion coatings
- Anodizing
- Powder coating
- Spray coatings
- Dip and spin coatings
- Steps common to many coating processes: aqueous and mechanical pretreatments, curing
The “CQI-12 is only for paint shops” view is therefore misleading. Facilities operating an anodizing or conversion coating line are also within the scope.
How does it differ from CQI-11?
Although on the shop floor both manuals are loosely called “coating,” they cover different processes:
CQI-11 covers electrolytic and electroplating: zinc and zinc alloy plating, decorative plating, hard chrome, electroless nickel, electropolishing.
CQI-12 covers paint and surface coating processes: conversion coating, anodizing, powder coating, spray and dip coatings.
Facilities running both must carry out two separate assessments; one does not substitute for the other. This combination is quite common at surface treatment plants.
Why is CQI-12 necessary?
CQI-12 is not an independent certification standard; it comes into play through customer-specific requirements (CSRs) under IATF 16949.
For organizations that coat: the assessment is expected to be conducted as a self-assessment at least once a year. These records are requested in customer audits.
For organizations that purchase coating services: the responsibility for verifying their suppliers’ conformity rests with the buyer. If you have parts painted or surface-treated, you may need to know CQI-12 even though you do not run the process yourself.
In both cases you must be able to demonstrate the competence of the person conducting the assessment; a training record is the most common evidence of that competence.
What changed with the 3rd edition?
The purpose of the 3rd edition was to update the content, improve the document’s clarity and bring the process approach and risk management concepts of ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 into the assessment.
A description and points to consider for every requirement. How the requirements are to be interpreted became clearer; the inconsistency created by assessor-dependent interpretations was reduced.
Examples of acceptable objective evidence. Additional guidance was provided in the form of questions showing examples of acceptable evidence. This largely answers the question “what do I need to show?”
The Form Builder option. The assessor was given the possibility of preparing a customized assessment document that better reflects the actual process of the system being assessed — particularly for the aqueous pretreatment and conversion coating sections.
A dedicated space for job audit findings. A dedicated space was added for recording findings for each step of the process being assessed.
Test equipment requirements consolidated. The test equipment requirements associated with each process are now listed together at the end of the relevant process table. This makes preparing calibration and measurement equipment considerably easier.
Who should attend CQI-12 training?
- Quality officers and process engineers at paint and surface treatment facilities
- Paint line supervisors and shift leaders
- Internal auditors who will conduct the self-assessment
- Supplier quality development (SQA/SQD) teams
- Supplier auditors of organizations purchasing paint or coating services
- IATF 16949 internal auditors
- Laboratory, bath control and chemical analysis officers
A general level of knowledge about the coating process makes participation easier but is not mandatory.
Training Content
General framework
- The structure of the AIAG CQI series and the logic of special process assessments
- CQI-12’s relationship with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements
- Scope: which coating processes, which table
- Assessor competence expectations
- Self-assessment frequency and record obligations
Structure of the assessment
- The management responsibility and quality planning section
- Facility, equipment and infrastructure requirements
- The logic of the process tables and selecting the right table
- Pretreatment requirements: aqueous and mechanical pretreatments
- Technical requirements specific to the coating process
- Curing and oven control requirements
- Test, measurement and laboratory equipment requirements
Conducting the assessment
- Pre-assessment preparation and determining the scope
- Objective evidence collection techniques
- Classifying and justifying findings
- Recording job audit findings
- Preparing the assessment report
- Corrective action follow-up and closure
- Practices for reporting to the customer
Practical exercises
Participants select the right process table, evaluate evidence and write findings using sample scenarios. In in-house programmes the exercises are run on your own paint line and existing records; this format produces a directly usable self-assessment draft after the training.
Learning Outcomes
- Conducting the CQI-12 assessment independently
- Selecting the right process table and interpreting the requirement correctly
- Auditing the pretreatment, coating and curing steps separately
- Checking the test and measurement equipment requirements
- Writing findings based on objective evidence
- Preparing the self-assessment report in a format presentable to the customer
- Conducting CQI-12 audits at suppliers
Duration and Participation Options
Duration: 1–2 days in open-enrolment programmes. In in-house programmes, set according to the scope and depth of the practical work. If shop-floor work will be done on your own line, 2 days are recommended.
Participation type: Open enrolment or in-house.
Training method: In person (at your organization or in our training room), live online, on-demand recording.
Important note: Participants must have the current edition of the CQI-12 manual and the related assessment workbook. These documents are copyright-protected and are not provided as part of the training; they must be obtained through AIAG.
Dates: Set according to demand.
Certificate of Attendance
Participants who complete the training receive a certificate of attendance. The certificate includes the participant’s name, training scope, date and duration. It can be used as evidence of competence in your assessor competence records and in customer audits.
- CQI-11 — Plating System Assessment
- CQI-9 — Heat Treat System Assessment
- CQI-23 — Molding System Assessment
The combined CQI-11 + CQI-12 programme is our most frequently requested package; for facilities operating both lines, the common sections are covered once.
At facilities painting plastic parts, planning together with CQI-23 is also common.
Beyond Training: Implementation Support
You can make use of our consulting services in every area where support is needed.
- Conducting and reporting the self-assessment together
- Gap analysis of your existing record and procedure structure
- Preparing the corrective action plan
- Independent CQI-12 audits at your suppliers
- Preparation work before the customer audit
Frequently Asked Questions About CQI-12 Training
Which processes does CQI-12 cover? It covers conversion coatings, anodizing, powder coating, spray coatings, and dip and spin coatings. The aqueous and mechanical pretreatments and curing steps common to many coating processes are also within the scope of the assessment.
Which is the current edition of CQI-12? The 3rd edition is in force. It was published in 2020 and replaced the 2nd edition that had been in use since February 2012.
What is the difference between CQI-11 and CQI-12? CQI-11 covers electrolytic and electroplating processes, while CQI-12 covers paint and surface coating processes. Facilities running both must carry out the two assessments separately.
We only do powder coating — is it still necessary? Yes. Powder coating is within the scope of CQI-12. Your pretreatment and curing steps are also part of the assessment.
How often must the CQI-12 assessment be carried out? The self-assessment is expected to be conducted at least once a year. Your customer-specific requirements may prescribe a more frequent interval; we recommend checking your contracts.
Can I obtain a CQI-12 certificate? No. CQI-12 is not a certification standard but a self-assessment manual. It comes into play through customer-specific requirements under IATF 16949. At the end of the training, participants receive a certificate of attendance.
Do I need to buy the manual for the training? Yes. The CQI-12 manual and the assessment workbook are copyright-protected publications and are not provided as part of the training. Participants need access to the current edition.
Can we take CQI-11 and CQI-12 training together? Yes, that is our most frequently requested combination. Because the general structure of the assessments is common, the total duration and cost of the combined programme are lower than attending separately.