ISO 9001:2015, Quality Management Systems – Requirements
AS 9100, QMS Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defence Organisations
AS 9110, QMS Requirements for Aviation Maintenance Organisations
AS 9120, QMS Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defence Distributors
Watch the video for an introduction on the AS 9100 series of standards.
What are AS 9100, AS 9110 & AS 9120?
The AS 9100-series are quality standards specially designed for the aviation, space, and defence (ASD) industry. AS 9100-series builds onto the requirements of ISO 9001, and is a far more comprehensive quality management standard.
The highest standards of quality are vital to ensure the safety and success of this industry due to the additional risks associated with high cost, mission-critical products, and services.
Three ASD specific quality standards have been developed:
- AS 9100D for organisations that design, develop or manufacture (equivalents are JISQ9100 in Japan and EN 9100:2018 in Europe)
- AS 9110C for aircraft maintenance organisations (equivalents are SJAC9110 in Japan and EN 9110:2018 in Europe)
- AS 9120B for distributors of components such as electronics and hardware (equivalents are SJAC9120 in Japan and EN 9120:2018 in Europe)
The AS 9100-series is published by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) and require ISO 9001 certification as the foundation for the quality management system. IAQG works closely with ISO to ensure the ASD Standards complement the current version of ISO 9001. Focused initially on aerospace organisations, the 2009 version (Revision C) expanded to include aviation, space, and defence organisations. The latest version (Revision D) was published in 2016 and is adopts the same risk management approach as ISO 9001.
Benefits of AS 9100 series
A certified quality management system is considered fundamental in the aviation, space, and defence industries. By demonstrating your commitment to quality, you can assure your customers and partners that they can expect the best from you every time.
The benefits of a certified ASD quality management system include:
- meet customer requirements to supply to the aviation, space, and defence industry
- enhanced company profile
- confidence that the business will operate as intended
- increased efficiency and reduced costs
- increased customer satisfaction and repeat business
- increased morale and motivation of staff
- ability to allow employees to get on with the job without direct supervision
- meeting client, pre-qualification, or regulatory requirements
- easily integrated with other management systems.
Why choose TQCSI to certify your ASD Quality Management System
TQCSI is the world’s largest JASANZ accredited certification body. Thousands of businesses all around the globe bear the trademark TQCSI tick of quality, including hundreds of ASD organisations. We make the certification process simple, with extensive experience, local knowledge and a trusted framework.
We have highly experienced auditors in our offices all over the world. When you choose TQCSI, you know that you are working with an auditor that understands your operating environment and speaks your language.
Locally, TQCSI is the only certification body to offer AS 9100-series certification, and have a pool of local auditors with Australian security clearances.
Shoot for the stars. Get certified today.
It’s never too soon to get started on your certification journey. Whether you have already implemented your QMS or are only just getting started, by engaging us early in the process, we can help you get certified sooner.
How to prepare for AS 9100-series certifications
At TQCSI, we want your path to AS 9100-series certification to be as smooth as possible. To help you get started, we’ve prepared a checklist of items we’ll be looking for during your audit. The first step is to meet the Quality Management System requirements to an ISO 9001 standard, then address the additional requirements for the relevant AS 9100-series standards.
Quality Management System Requirements
A Quality Management System (QMS) requires organisations to:
- understand their external and internal issues
- have a Quality Policy declaring senior management’s commitment to quality
- embrace a risk-based approach throughout the business
- develop a Quality or Management Manual – documenting as much or as little as you want but, typically, briefly addressing the clauses of ISO 9001.
ASD Quality Management System Requirements
An ASD Quality Management System requires organisations to:
- understand their external and internal issues related to aviation, space and defence quality and safety
- develop a Quality or Management Manual addressing the clauses of ISO 9001 and the respective ASD Standard
- have procedures or work instructions to control their operations
- develop and monitor quality objectives for the relevant ASD standard
- ensure staff are competent and understand the quality management system
- ensure customers’ requirements are clearly understood and met
- design new products and services in a controlled manner
- control any outsourced work and purchasing of materials
- control work, so the final product or service is as planned
- monitor performance and customer satisfaction
- control nonconformances and nonconforming product
- take corrective action for significant or repetitive nonconformances
- conduct internal audits of the quality management system
- ensure senior management strategically review the quality management system
Additionally, ASD Standards require:
- product safety to be addressed
- counterfeit parts prevention to be addressed
- an increased emphasis on risks in operational processes
- awareness of individual contribution to product and service quality and safety along with ethical behaviour
- human factors to be considered in nonconformity management and corrective action
- configuration management to address stakeholder needs
- increased emphasis on calibration, certification, traceability and documentation throughout the entire supply chain
- prevent dispatch of nonconforming product
- traceability and positive recall of any potentially defective products
- an increased focus on demonstrating that production processes ensure, verify and document products meet key quality and safety requirements at every key stage
- ensuring that ‘special processes’ such as welding are tightly quality controlled
- ensuring that key dimensions and product characteristics are met at each stage in the production process
Documentation Requirements
Documentation requirements are the same as for ISO 9001 with additional information to address the relevant ASD standards.
- Quality Policy
- Typically, a Quality or Management Manual
- Procedures or Work Instructions
- Forms
- Quality Improvement Plan (monitoring quality objectives and targets)
- Registers – for nonconformances and corrective action
Implementing a Quality Management System
In assessing your ASD Quality Management System, we will audit all the processes, resources, records, assets, and workplace culture against ISO 9001:2015 requirements and the relevant AS 9100-series standard.
A mark of quality for ASD Quality Management Systems
Once certified, you can show your commitment to aviation, space, and defence quality with our certification mark. The TQCSI certification mark for quality is recognised worldwide as the gold standard in Quality Management Systems certification.
AS 9100-series FAQs
Questions?
Contact your local TQCSI to learn more about the AS 9100-series quality standard for aviation, space, and defence, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..