AS9100 Quality Management System Made Simple

AS9100 is an internationally accepted quality system standard for the aviation, space and defense industries. It was created by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) in conjunction with industry representatives from the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia/Pacific.

The standard is built off of the general quality management system standards outlined in ISO 9001, with the addition of important industry-specific guidelines. The goal of the standard is the safe development, production and distribution of high-quality, reliable aerospace parts and products.

AS9100 requires everything that is stipulated in ISO 9001, with the addition of industry-specific provisions. The industry-specific requirements create more stringent controls befitting the significance of the industries it serves.

At a high level, AS9100-specific requirements include:

• Additional production and operations controls
• More in-depth risk identification and assessment
• A dedicated QMS management representative
• Deeper employee involvement in total quality
• Expanded nonconformance actions
• Close control of external resources
• Specific design and development testing and validation

For more detailed information visit: AS9100 Standard

Though not a legal requirement of working in the aerospace arena, AS9100 certification is very often a requirement of organizations looking for aerospace suppliers or partners. Certification is attained through a third-party certified auditing body, who will conduct site visits and review your quality management system to ensure it meets the standard’s requirements. Once certification is granted, it is maintained via annual audits, with full re-certification every three years.