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Automotive SPICE
Automotive SPICE is VDA QMC's process assessment model, version 4.0 (December 2023), rating development processes on capability levels CL0 to CL5. VDA QMC describes itself as "the sole personnel certification body" for the scheme; assessors hold intacs-scheme credentials, and levels follow the ISO/IEC 330xx series.
- Class
- Framework
- Owner
- Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V. — Quality Management Center (VDA QMC)
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What it is
Automotive SPICE — "Systems/Software Process Improvement and Capability DEtermination" — is a process assessment model. VDA QMC records its origin: "In 2005, Automotive SPICE® was published for the first time by the 'Automotive Special Interest Group'." The current edition is version 4.0, dated December 2023 (previous: 3.1, November 2017); companion publications include Automotive SPICE for Cybersecurity 2.0 (March 2025) and Automotive SPICE Potential Analysis 1.0 (August 2024).
Capability is rated on six levels: "The capability dimension contains the six process capability levels from level 0 to level 5, according to the definitions from the ISO/IEC 330xx series." VDA QMC also illustrates how the overall level is set: "That means, an organization with nearly all processes on level 3 except only a few on level 2 will still have a level 2 certificate of achievement."
VDA QMC states: "The VDA QMC with its Automotive SPICE® Certification Office is the sole personnel certification body for Automotive SPICE®." For assessments, a recent change applies: "Beginning with January 2026, the usage of the Automotive SPICE® trademark for issuing certificates of achievements for assessments will be possible." Who issues these, their validity and scope rules were not stated on the page opened on 31 August 2026.
Who owns it
Automotive SPICE is published by the Quality Management Center (QMC) in the German Association of the Automotive Industry e.V. (VDA).
Who assesses it
Assessments are performed by assessors holding intacs credentials: "The assessment team comprises at least one lead assessor and one co-assessor"; "The lead assessor has an intacs® Automotive SPICE® competent assessor level or higher"; "Any co-assessor has an intacs® Automotive SPICE® provisional assessor level or higher".
Assessor certification runs on the intacs scheme — "The Automotive SPICE® Assessor certification according to the intacs scheme is recognised worldwide in the automotive industry." intacs describes itself as the "International Assessor Certification Scheme", "an independent and legally registered not-for-profit association". VDA QMC states: "Proof of certification is provided by an assessor licence valid for three years with a unique number, which must be renewed after expiry in order to maintain certification."
Who asks for it
VDA QMC describes usage in general terms: "the current version 4.0 of this standard has been established worldwide and is used by leading OEMs and suppliers to evaluate the development processes of software-based systems in and around the vehicle." No OEM obligation naming a specific capability level threshold was identified in VDA QMC's sources as of 31 August 2026 — confirm against the contracting customer.
Sources
- VDA QMC — Automotive SPICE (scheme owner) ↗ — accessed
- VDA QMC — Automotive SPICE publications (version 4.0, December 2023) ↗ — accessed
- VDA QMC — Automotive SPICE certification (personnel certification body) ↗ — accessed
- VDA QMC — Automotive SPICE assessment registration ↗ — accessed
- intacs — International Assessor Certification Scheme ↗ — accessed
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