AS 9100 Certification: Prerequisites & Process for Aerospace Companies

AS 9100 is the internationally recognized quality management system standard developed specifically for the aviation, space, and defense industries. Built on top of ISO 9001, it adds aerospace-specific requirements around risk management, traceability, configuration control, and product safety. For most aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, holding AS 9100 certification is not just a badge of quality, it is a prerequisite to doing business, since prime contractors routinely require their supply chain to be certified.

In this guide, we walk through what it takes to earn AS 9100 certification: the prerequisites your organization needs in place, the step-by-step certification process, and how the standard has evolved across its different versions. Whether you are pursuing certification for the first time or preparing to transition to the latest revision, this overview will help you understand what to expect.

Who Needs AS 9100 Certification?

AS 9100 certification is relevant to any organization that designs, manufactures, or supplies products and services to the aviation, space, and defense sectors. This includes original equipment manufacturers, parts suppliers, and service providers operating within aerospace supply chains. Because most global aerospace primes require their subcontractors and suppliers to be certified, achieving AS 9100 is often the entry point to competing for aerospace contracts. Certification also lists your organization in the Online Aerospace Supplier Information System (OASIS), the industry database maintained by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG).

Prerequisites for AS 9100 Certification

Before beginning the formal certification process, your organization should have the following foundations in place:

• A documented quality management system: You need an established QMS that meets the requirements of all AS 9100 clauses, covering context of the organization, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, and improvement.
• Copies of the standards: Obtain the current AS9100 standard and the supporting AS9101 standard from SAE. These define the detailed requirements your management system must comply with.
• Risk-based thinking and processes: Your organization must demonstrate process interaction, risk-based thinking, and a commitment to continual improvement across operations.
• Documentation and traceability: Robust records of production and supply chain processes are essential, both to maintain compliance and to trace and resolve any issues.
• Trained employees: Staff should be trained on the QMS processes and understand their role in maintaining compliance.

The AS 9100 Certification Process

Certification is carried out by an accredited third-party registrar and follows a structured path:

1. Implement your QMS: Expand your quality system to meet AS 9100 requirements, document your procedures, and train employees on the new processes.
2. Select an accredited registrar: Choose a certification body that is accredited to issue AS 9100 certification.
3. Stage 1 audit: The registrar reviews your quality documentation to confirm your system meets AS 9100 requirements on paper.
4. Stage 2 audit: The registrar visits your site to verify that your quality system is effectively implemented and operating in practice.
5. Certification: Once all requirements are satisfied, your organization is certified to AS 9100.
6. Ongoing compliance: The system must be maintained and pass periodic surveillance audits to retain certification, with full recertification typically every three years.

Understanding the AS 9100 Versions

AS 9100 has evolved through several revisions, each strengthening the standard's requirements. Understanding how the versions differ helps clarify why the current revision is the most comprehensive:

• AS9100 (General) and earlier revisions established the foundation, including supplier oversight. However, it still lacks comprehensive risk-based thinking and specific product safety or counterfeit prevention measures.
• AS9100D: The most recent version aligned with ISO 9001:2015, featuring extensive upgrades:
  • Risk-based thinking covering all processes.
  • New requirements for product safety and counterfeit parts prevention.
  • Greater emphasis on leadership involvement and the context of the organization.
  • More streamlined documentation and greater flexibility in maintaining 'documented information.'

AS9100D builds significantly on the previous versions, adding critical elements like safety, risk management, and leadership responsibility, making it the most robust version in the series.

The following visual representation should give you more clarity, but for more information, do follow the tabular format above.

Conclusion

AS 9100 certification is a crucial step for aerospace companies looking to demonstrate their commitment to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. While the certification process requires time, effort, and investment, the long-term benefits outweigh the initial challenges. By adhering to the prerequisites and following the outlined certification process, your organization can achieve AS 9100 certification and gain a competitive edge in the aerospace industry.

Looking for an efficient way to implement and maintain an AS 9100-compliant QMS? Isolocity QMS offers a seamless platform to help streamline your processes, conduct audits, manage documentation, and ensure compliance with aerospace standards. Contact us today to learn more about how our system can help you achieve AS 9100 certification with ease.

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