[E-Daily Reporter JAEMIN SONG ] DB HiTek Co.,LTD has renewed its “IATF 16949” certification, the international quality management system standard for the automotive industry. Amid rising demand for automotive semiconductors driven by electrification and digitalization, the company plans to expand its high-value-added automotive semiconductor business based on its quality management system.

DB HiTek Co.,LTD announced on the 26th that it had passed the IATF 16949 renewal audits conducted separately at its Bucheon and Sangwoo campuses. The scope of certification covers all aspects of semiconductor wafer foundry manufacturing.

IATF 16949 is an international standard for quality management systems in the automotive industry established by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF). It specifies the requirements necessary to establish and maintain a consistent quality management system throughout the automotive parts supply chain.

Automotive components must operate reliably under various driving conditions—including high and low temperatures and vibrations—and therefore are subject to stricter quality and durability standards than general-purpose industrial semiconductors. Global automakers and parts suppliers use IATF 16949 certification as a benchmark to verify the quality management capabilities of companies participating in the supply chain.

DB HiTek Co.,LTD became the first foundry in Korea to obtain “ISO/TS 16949” certification—the predecessor to IATF 16949—in 2003 and has renewed its certification every three years since then.

Based on the IATF 16949 certification system, the company also operates its “Automotive Program,” a proprietary quality management program for automotive semiconductors. It applies stricter process qualification evaluations and enhanced quality control standards than those for general products, and retains quality-related records for at least 25 years. The company has also established procedures to systematically analyze the causes of defects and continuously improve process and product quality.

DB HiTek Co.,LTD is gradually increasing the proportion of industrial and automotive semiconductors—which have higher added value than products for home appliances and mobile devices. Building on this certification renewal, the company plans to meet the quality standards required by the global automotive industry and expand its orders for automotive semiconductors.

A DB HiTek Co.,LTD official stated, “This certification renewal signifies that the company’s quality management system meets the standards of the global automotive industry,” adding, “We will continue to improve our quality management system to enhance customer trust.”