Guide to AS9100 Certification for Aerospace Manufacturers

Written by: Padma Raghunathan, Product Marketing Manager

If you're an aerospace or defense manufacturer, AS9100 certification is a globally recognized standard for quality management systems. From defense contracting to commercial spaceflight, this standard can help to unlock high-value partnerships and compete for government contracts.

AS9100 sets the benchmark for quality management in the design, development, production and service of aerospace and defense systems including weapon systems, satellites and launch systems, UAVs and mission-critical components. Whether you're building or supplying parts and systems, certification signals that your operations meet the rigorous quality, safety and traceability expectations of the aerospace industry.

In This Article:

• What is AS9100 Certification?
• AS9100 Standards and Requirements
• What's the Difference Between AS9100 and ISO 9001?
• Role of Technology in AS9100
• How AS9100 Certification Benefits A&D Manufacturers
• Making the Business Case for AS9100 Certification
• Steps Involved in AS9100 Certification
• The Future of AS9100

AS9100 certification is widely recognized as the benchmark in aerospace quality management. The standard is part of a broader family: the core AS9100 for aerospace design and manufacturing applications, AS9110 for maintenance, repair and overhaul operations (MRO) and AS9120 for distributors and stockiest organizations—ensuring comprehensive quality throughout the aerospace ecosystem. In aerospace and defense, manufacturers have two customers to satisfy, in terms of quality: 1) their client, usually a government agency or prime contractor or end customer and 2) several sets of regulatory standards and requirements, of which AS9100 is one. It's also usually one of the most demanding standards.

Achieving AS9100 certification signals that an organization has implemented a quality management system designed to meet the rigorous expectations of the aerospace and defense industry, with an emphasis on process discipline, traceability and continuous improvement.

Versions of AS9100

Each iteration of AS9100 reflects the aerospace industry's evolving priorities—from risk and sustainability to customer satisfaction and regulatory alignment. The AS9100 standard was first introduced in 1999 which was built on ISO 9001:1994. Over time, it evolved through several revisions—adding aerospace-specific requirements, aligning with updated ISO 9001 versions, and introducing concepts like risk management, special requirements and critical items to get us to where we are today. The most current version:

AS9100 Rev D (2016):

Integrated ISO 9001:2015's structure and content, introduced risk-based thinking, product safety requirements, counterfeit parts prevention and human factors considerations in corrective action processes. This version promotes stronger alignment across business functions and quality systems.

AS9100 supplements ISO 9001 with additional aerospace-specific requirements, forming a comprehensive framework tailored for the aviation, space and defense sectors. This standard was developed collaboratively by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), incorporating input from major aerospace manufacturers and suppliers worldwide.

Overview of AS9100 Clauses

AS9100 adopts the Annex SL structure, comprising 10 clauses that provide a systematic approach to quality management:

1. Scope – Defines the applicability of the standard to aerospace organizations.
2. Normative References – Lists documents essential for the application of the standard.
3. Terms and Definitions – Clarifies terminology used within the standard.
4. Context of the Organization – Requires understanding internal and external factors affecting quality objectives.
5. Leadership – Emphasizes top management's commitment and accountability.
6. Planning – Addresses risk management and setting quality objectives.
7. Support – Focuses on resource allocation, competence and communication.
8. Operation – Covers operational planning and control, including product requirements.
9. Performance Evaluation – Involves monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation.
10. Improvement – Encourages continual improvement of the QMS.

Compliance and Mandatory Requirements

Meeting AS9100 certification requirements means a company has established a robust QMS aligned with aerospace industry requirements. Key compliance elements include:

• Maintaining specific records such as quality policy (Clause 5.2), quality objectives (Clause 6.2) and processes for controlling non-conforming products (Clause 8.7.1).
• Implementing processes to identify and address potential risks.
• Detecting and blocking counterfeit parts to ensure product integrity and authenticity.
• Evaluating and monitoring suppliers to ensure compliance with quality standards.

AS9100 and ISO 9001 are both quality management standards, but they serve slightly different purposes and industries at times. Here are the key differences:

Industry Focus

• ISO 9001: This standard provides a universally applicable framework for quality management across all industries with a strong focus on customer satisfaction, delivering consistent quality and driving continuous improvement.
• AS9100: AS9100 builds on the ISO 9001 framework by adding requirements for the aerospace, aviation and defense industries where safety, traceability and compliance are paramount.

Additional Requirements

• AS9100 includes numerous additional requirements that address the aerospace industry's emphasis on safety, reliability and compliance. Key additions include:
  • Product Safety: Establishing protocols to ensure product performance and safety.
  • Counterfeit Parts Prevention: Detecting and preventing the use of counterfeit or unapproved parts.
  • Risk Management: A structured approach to identifying and mitigating operational and safety risks.
  • Configuration Management and Traceability: Ensuring consistency and full visibility of changes to design, production, components and materials.
  • Supplier Management: Monitoring and evaluating suppliers through strict controls.
• ISO 9001 emphasizes risk-based thinking but doesn't dive as deeply into specific risk areas.

Documentation and Compliance

• Compared to ISO 9001, AS9100 places greater emphasis on documentation and record-keeping, especially in areas like risk analysis, corrective action tracking and supplier oversight. While ISO 9001 allows for flexibility in documentation based on the organization's context, AS9100 demands traceability and structured evidence due to regulatory scrutiny.
  AS9100 also helps organizations align with the expectations of aerospace regulatory bodies like the FAA (including Safety Element Approval), EASA and DoD, though certification itself does not equate to FAA approval.

Certification Process

• Achieving AS9100 certification automatically meets ISO 9001 requirements since AS9100 includes all ISO 9001 requirements plus additional ones specific to aerospace.
• The certification process for AS9100 typically involves more rigorous audits due to the industry's high stakes.

While ISO 9001 provides a broad quality management framework applicable across industries, AS9100 is tailored to meet the specific needs and challenges of the aerospace sector, emphasizing risk management and regulatory compliance.

Digital Document Management and Traceability

AS9100 emphasizes documentation and traceability—areas where digital solutions excel. Advanced document management systems streamline the creation, storage and retrieval of critical quality records, ensuring all documentation remains accurate and up-to-date for compliance audits. For A&D manufacturers, this means faster access to crucial documentation during design reviews and quality inspections.

Technologies like barcode systems and RFID tracking enable real-time monitoring of components throughout the production lifecycle. These solutions allow manufacturers to track individual parts from raw material to final assembly, creating an unbroken chain of custody that satisfies AS9100's stringent traceability requirements.

Combined with standardized documentation practices, these technologies create a transparent production environment where every component's history is fully accessible.

QMS Automation

Quality Management System (QMS) automation further transforms how aerospace firms approach AS9100 compliance. Digital QMS platforms, such as Deltek TIPQA, enable real-time monitoring and analysis of quality data across production lines, helping manufacturers identify issues at their earliest stages—when they can still be corrected. These systems streamline traditional labor-intensive processes like audit preparation by tracking production schedules and centralizing documentation.

Automated QMS solutions help teams manage and document quality activities that support compliance with AS9100 standards. While they do not guarantee certification, they can help organizations align more effectively with AS9100 requirements. Enhanced reporting capabilities allow quality teams to identify trends and address potential non-conformances. The automation of supplier quality management through digital audits and compliance tracking supports alignment across the supply chain with the rigorous demands of aerospace manufacturing. This integrated approach to quality management creates a culture of continuous improvement while simultaneously reducing the administrative burden of maintaining AS9100 certification.

Integrating with ERP Systems

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are valuable tools for aerospace manufacturers seeking AS9100 compliance. Modern ERP solutions designed specifically for aerospace applications, such as Deltek Costpoint combined with TIPQA, integrate quality management directly into production workflows, bridging the gap between production, procurement and compliance.

This integration allows manufacturers to manage the entire lifecycle—from contract review through final inspection—within a unified platform. With real-time visibility into quality metrics, labor tracking, and supplier data, organizations can eliminate information silos that often lead to delays or errors. By embedding compliance into day-to-day operations, ERP-integrated quality systems can help support regulatory alignment and improve consistency across manufacturing execution.

There are numerous benefits for A&D Manufacturers who implement AS9100 certification.

Enhanced Quality Management

By implementing standardized procedures across all operational aspects, companies significantly reduce variations in output while increasing consistency in their manufacturing processes. This framework leads to fewer defects and enhanced product reliability—critical factors when producing components that will eventually soar thousands of feet above the earth.

Strengthened Customer Trust and Contract Eligibility

AS9100 certification demonstrates to customers—especially government agencies and major aerospace contractors—that your organization meets rigorous quality and safety standards. This builds trust and often fulfills a prerequisite for participating in high-value contracts. By aligning internal processes with customer expectations and regulatory requirements, certified organizations are better positioned to win and retain business in a competitive marketplace.

Risk-Based Thinking Approach

AS9100's emphasis on risk-based thinking helps firms anticipate challenges by evaluating risk across all processes and then anticipating issues before they happen.

This approach means identifying critical failure points early in the design process, implementing appropriate controls and continuously evaluating their effectiveness, ultimately helping to create more stable operations with fewer unforeseen disruptions.

Operational Efficiency

Meeting the standards helps companies identify and eliminate bottlenecks that impede production flow by emphasizing process understanding and interconnectivity. Waste is reduced, workflows are streamlined, and improvement becomes continuous.

Competitive Advantage

AS9100 certification gives A&D manufacturers a distinct edge in a highly competitive marketplace. For smaller manufacturers, AS9100 certification is an opportunity to level the playing field, allowing them to compete with larger organizations by proving their quality management systems meet the same international standards.

Direct and Indirect Costs

While costs vary depending on company size and readiness, organizations should anticipate both direct and indirect investments in certification. These may include audit fees, training, and process improvements necessary to meet AS9100 standards.

Long-Term ROI Assessment

AS9100 certification can provide compelling returns that can transform these costs into strategic investments. The certification potentially unlocks new market opportunities by qualifying manufacturers for preferred supplier status with major aerospace companies.

Achieving AS9100 certification requires organizations to align their quality management practices with a standardized, process-driven approach that meets aerospace industry expectations.

Selecting an Accredited Certification Body

Organizations seeking AS9100 certification must work with a certification body accredited under the IAQG-approved certification scheme and operating in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021 standards for conformity assessment. Certification bodies may vary in their level of experience with aerospace-specific audits, and providers differ in scope, industry focus, and geographic coverage.

Notable AS9100 certification bodies include:

1. NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR), recognized as the largest provider of aerospace supplier certifications worldwide.
2. LRQA (Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance), a market leader in delivering aerospace certification services under the global IAQG certification scheme AS9104-001.
3. NQA (National Quality Assurance), an experienced global certification body offering AS9100 certification services

Pre-Certification Preparation

Before pursuing a formal certification, consider conducting a pre-assessment audit. A preliminary evaluation mirrors the actual certification process and provides an environment that does not carry compliance consequences to identify gaps.

Your pre-assessment will examine documentation, process adherence and overall readiness, delivering a report highlighting areas needing improvement.

Key Steps

Understanding the Requirements.

Familiarize yourself with both AS9100 and its foundation, ISO 9001, to grasp the full scope of requirements. A thorough understanding of the AS9100 standard and its ISO 9001 foundation supports alignment with certification requirements and helps ensure consistency throughout the implementation process.

Exploring a Gap Analysis Approach

A gap analysis is commonly used to compare existing processes against AS9100 requirements. This type of assessment can help identify areas of alignment as well as potential gaps in conformance.

Considering a Quality Management System

Based on your gap analysis findings you can develop and document your quality manual and procedures. Focus on areas emphasized by AS9100, including structured planning, data management and test process controls. While no software solution guarantees AS9100 certification, TIPQA can support and streamline the compliance process. TIPQA helps automate tasks such as document control, audit trail management and supplier corrective action workflows.

Looking at Internal and External Audits

Internal audits are a required component of AS9100 and evaluate the effectiveness and compliance of a quality management system. Organizations typically conduct internal audits prior to engaging with a certification body for the formal two-stage audit process. The external audit includes a Stage 1 review of documentation and readiness, followed by a Stage 2 on-site assessment of implementation and performance.

The aerospace quality industry is at the precipice of transformation. The AS9100 standard is expected to transition into a new version—potentially branded as IA9100—as early as 2026, based on ongoing discussions within the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). This change would reflect the standard's increasingly global scope and alignment with modern aerospace quality challenges.

Although not officially finalized, early IAQG updates suggest that the forthcoming standard may introduce expanded product safety requirements, incorporation of quality culture and ethics considerations, linkage to Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) processes and more rigorous counterfeit parts requirements. While maintaining the same clause structure as the current standard, IA9100 is expected to introduce a new requirement around Information Security (Clause 7.1.7) to safeguard QMS information—an addition to support today's increasingly digital aerospace environment.

 

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