CQI-23 training is a hands-on programme built on AIAG‘s Molding System Assessment manual, for teams that will apply it at their own facility or audit it at their suppliers.
CQI-23 was developed to assess the quality systems of businesses doing plastic molding in the automotive supply chain.
The edition in force is the 3rd.
Scope
Plastic forming processes, injection molding above all, together with the connected material preparation, drying and mold management operations
Why is CQI-23 necessary?
CQI-23 is not an independent certification standard; it comes into play through customer-specific requirements under IATF 16949.
For organizations running the process: The assessment is expected to be carried out as a self-assessment at least once a year. These records are requested in customer audits.
For organizations purchasing the process: The responsibility for verifying your supplier’s conformity rests with you. Even if you do not run this process yourself, you need an auditor who knows the manual.
This is a special process: its result cannot be fully verified by measurement right after completion, so quality assurance rests on process control rather than product inspection.
Who should attend?
- Quality officers at plastic injection facilities
- Mold and process engineers
- Material and drying officers
- Internal auditors who will conduct the self-assessment
- Supplier quality development (SQA/SQD) teams
- Supplier auditors of organizations purchasing this process
- IATF 16949 internal auditors
General knowledge of the process makes participation easier but is not a prerequisite.
Training Content
General framework
- The structure of the AIAG CQI series and the logic of special process assessments
- CQI-23’s relationship with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements
- 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
- Technical requirements specific to the molding process
- Determining and monitoring the process parameters
- Material preparation, drying and mold maintenance management
- Test, measurement and laboratory equipment requirements
Conducting the assessment
- Pre-assessment preparation and determining the scope
- Objective evidence collection techniques
- Classifying and justifying 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 line and existing records; this format produces a directly usable self-assessment draft.
Learning Outcomes
- Conducting the CQI-23 assessment independently
- Selecting the right process table and interpreting the requirement correctly
- Writing findings based on objective evidence
- Preparing the self-assessment report in a format presentable to the customer
- Conducting CQI-23 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.
Participation type: Open enrolment or in-house.
Training method: In person (at your organization or in our training room), live online, on-demand recording.
Obtaining the manuals: AIAG publications are copyright-protected and are not provided as part of the training. Participants need access to the current edition.
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-30 Training — rubber processing
- CQI-12 Training — coating
- CQI-27 Training — casting
- CQI Trainings — all special process assessments
Beyond Training: Implementation Support
- Conducting and reporting the self-assessment together
- Gap analysis of your existing record and procedure structure
- Preparing the corrective action plan
- Independent CQI-23 audits at your suppliers
- Preparation work before the customer audit
You can make use of our consulting services in every area where support is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About CQI-23 Training
Which processes does CQI-23 cover?
Plastic forming processes, injection molding above all, together with the connected material preparation, drying and mold management operations
Can I obtain a CQI-23 certificate?
No. CQI-23 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.
How often must the CQI-23 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.
We don’t run the process ourselves, we purchase it. Is it still necessary?
Yes, most likely. If you procure this process externally, the responsibility for verifying your supplier’s conformity rests with you; the team conducting the audit needs to know the manual.
Do I need to buy the manual for CQI-23 training?
Yes. AIAG manuals and assessment workbooks are copyright-protected publications and are not provided as part of the training. Participants need access to the current edition.
How long does CQI-23 training take?
Open-enrolment programmes take 1-2 days. If shop-floor work will be done on your own line, 2 days are recommended.
Which is the current edition of CQI-23?
As of June 2026, the 3rd edition is in effect.
We have our plastic parts painted — is CQI-12 also required?
If you run the painting process yourself, CQI-12 also falls within your scope. If you procure it externally, you are expected to verify your supplier’s conformity.