Aerospace Quality Management (AS9100) Certification

AS9100 is the quality management system standard for organisations that design and/or manufacture in the aerospace, space and defence sector. It builds on ISO 9001 and adds sector-specific requirements: configuration management, product safety, prevention of counterfeit parts, special processes and first article inspection. It is managed by the IAQG; its European equivalent is EN 9100.

• Manufacturers of aircraft, helicopter and spacecraft parts
• Defence-industry prime contractors and subcontractors
• Providers of special processes for aerospace (heat treatment, plating, NDT, welding)
• Engineering organisations carrying design responsibility

Not legally mandatory; effectively mandatory contractually. Aerospace prime manufacturers require an AS9100 (or EN 9100) certificate from their suppliers, and the certificate is registered in the OASIS database. Aviation authorities' (EASA, FAA) production and design approvals are separate, binding processes; AS9100 does not substitute for them.

• All ISO 9001 requirements form the basis
• Product safety and the management of safety-critical items
• Prevention of counterfeit parts
• Configuration management
• Risk management and operational risk
• Project management and work-transfer planning
• Design and development verification, validation and testing
• The capability and approval of special processes
• First article inspection (FAI)
• Supplier approval, control of external providers, and verification of purchased product
• Production process verification, traceability and product preservation
• On-time delivery performance and customer satisfaction

1. 1ApplicationThe organisation's field of activity, headcount, number of sites and scope boundaries are determined. The number of audit days is calculated from this information.
2. 2Document Review (Stage 1)The management system documentation, scope definition, risk assessment and internal-audit/management-review records are examined; readiness for the on-site audit is assessed.
3. 3Certification Audit (Stage 2)It is verified on site that the system is implemented and effective. Findings are classified as major/minor nonconformity or observation.
4. 4Closing NonconformitiesThe organisation submits a root-cause analysis and corrective action plan. The certificate is not issued until major nonconformities are closed.
5. 5Issuing the CertificateThe certificate is issued after review by an independent decision-maker. The audit team cannot make the certification decision.
6. 6Surveillance AuditsA surveillance audit is carried out at least once a year during the certificate's validity. The first surveillance cannot exceed 12 months from the last day of Stage 2.
7. 7RecertificationAt the end of three years, the entire system is re-audited; it must be completed before the certificate expires.

Management system certificates are valid for three years. At least one surveillance audit is carried out per year during this period; the certificate is suspended if surveillance is not carried out. A recertification audit is completed at the end of the third year.

• Trade registry record and operating licence
• The organisation's organisation chart and headcount
• The list of sites/branches within scope
• The management system manual or process documentation
• Internal audit and management review records
• Legal permits, licences and operating documents, if any

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The headcount within scope (directly determines the number of audit days)
• The number of sites and branches; whether multi-site sampling applies
• The activity's risk level and process complexity
• The number of standards to be certified — an integrated audit reduces the number of days
• The three-year cycle: certification + two surveillance audits

Management system certification is carried out within the scope of ISO/IEC 17021-1. The certification body is accredited by an accreditation body party to the IAF multilateral recognition agreement (IAF MLA); This agreement establishes a chain of international recognition that ensures that a document issued in one country is accepted in other countries. EUROLAB has internationally recognized accreditation from IAF member accreditation bodies within the scope of ISO/IEC 17021-1.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• ISO 39001Road Traffic Safety Management
• IATF 16949Automotive Quality Management
• ISO 22163Railway Quality Management
• AS9110Aerospace Maintenance Quality Management
• AS9120Aerospace Distribution Quality Management
• ISO 9001Quality Management System
• ISO 10002Customer Satisfaction and Complaint Management
• ISO 10004Customer Satisfaction Monitoring and Measurement