AS9100, AS9110, AS9120 Aerospace

Quality and reliability are critical values for the aerospace industry. In an environment where the mistakes or failure of products or services can be fatal, the effective operation of a quality management system plays an essential role in helping to reduce risks and provide a reliable framework for organizations to provide a product or service.

Quality management systems have been used in the aerospace industry for many years. Efforts by members of the aerospace industry to establish a single common Quality Management System resulted in AS9100, 9110, 9120. They are used and supported by the world's leading aerospace companies and also throughout their supply chain partnerships.

AS9100 - Quality Management System Requirements for Design and/or Manufacture of Aerospace Products
AS9110 - Quality Management System Requirements for Maintenance Organizations
AS9120 - Quality Management System Requirements for Stockist Distributors

In the US market we can also perform two additional types of assessment which are unique to the Americas region:

AS9003 Inspection & Testing
AS9006 Aerospace Deliverable Software Supplement to AS9100 standards.

The Aerospace Standards are a series of specific standards based on ISO 9001 and developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) to provide international consistency and address the specific regulatory, safety and reliability requirements demanded by the aerospace sector.

Who are they relevant to?

The aerospace series of standards cover the complete spectrum of organizations working within the aerospace sector, from design and manufacture to maintenance organizations and stockist distributors.

Why choose us as your certification partner?

We have a unique pedigree in the global assessment of management systems in the aerospace supply chain, with the highest percentage of fully employed assessors of any other certification body or registrar.

Our technical capability and delivery in this sector ensure we’re recognized as a worldwide leader in this field. We have also just become one of the first certification bodies to become accredited to deliver AS9110 certification worldwide.

Assessments conducted by us are undertaken using qualified auditors authenticated by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG).

Achievement of certification to AS9100, 9110 or 9120 demonstrates a consistent approach to the aerospace industry accepted standards.

Whether you’re looking to operate internationally or expand locally to accommodate new business, certification to the standard provides firm evidence that your management system meets the exacting requirements of the aerospace sector. Other benefits include:

Ensures inclusion on the Online Aerospace Supplier Information System (OASIS) database
Certification of an organization to the AS9100 series enables you to go on the OASIS, providing the benchmark for certified aerospace companies
Licence to trade
It is often a requirement of aerospace industry primes that you have implemented a quality management system. It also independently demonstrates that you have an operation management system accepted by the aerospace sector
Encourages international growth and sales
The global nature of the standard allows for commonality throughout the industry, allowing increased trade and co-operation
Saves time
Potential reduction in second party system audits
Risk Management
Ensures compliance with a system supported by regulatory authorities that helps to mitigate your risks
Raises brand reputation
By demonstrating the operation of globally accepted quality standards using common language to improve understanding of quality requirements
Reduces waste
By helping to improve processes and remove the variation in quality
Increases market opportunities
Helps to demonstrate excellent levels of traceability throughout the supply chain and remove uncertainty encouraging clients to choose you over a competitor
Facilitates continual improvement
Regular assessment will ensure you continually use, monitor and improve your processes

We are experts in training as well as assessment and have a network of public, in-house and e-learning courses dedicated to teaching you the skills you need before, during and after certification to any of the accepted aerospace standards.

From lead and internal auditor courses to implementation and essentials courses we can help you understand, implement and audit your aerospace quality management system.

Next steps

For further information about specific training on this subject, please call us on
(+44) (0)845 086 9000 or enter your details in our enquiry form.

We have a structured route to achieving certification to any of the applicable aerospace standards. Our steps to certification are designed to make your experience easy and reassuring with minimal disruption to your business.

If you’re already one of our clients and have various standards in place, your Client Manager can help you to assess where you are now, and guide you through the certification process.

If you’re new to BSI, don’t worry: it’s still a simple process.

1. Choose and buy the standard

Before you can begin preparing for your application, you’ll require a copy of the standard that is applicable to your organization’s activity in the aerospace supply chain. You should read this and make yourself familiar with it.

2. Make contact

Get in touch and tell us what you need, so we can sort out the best services for you. We’ll then give you a proposal detailing the cost and time involved in a formal assessment.

3. Meet your assessment team

We’ll assign you a Client Manager, who will be your main point of contact through the process – and beyond. They’ll be a technical specialist and will support you as you move forward to the assessment and certification of your aerospace quality management system.

4. Consider training

Whether you’re seeking to implement a management system or would like to increase your general awareness of the standard, there are a range of workshops, seminars and training courses available. Read more about training.

5. Review and assessment

We’ll do a desktop review of your aerospace management system against the standard, and identify any omissions or weaknesses that need resolving before formal assessment. Once these have been addressed, we’ll conduct a full on-site assessment. If certifying to AS9100 series of standards you need to ensure the checklist is completed and a score calculated. You’ll be informed of the recommendation before the assessment team leaves your premises.

6. Certification and beyond

Once the assessment has been successfully completed, the initial assessment report is independently reviewed before a certificate can be issued. When issued, the certificate will clearly indicate the scope of your management system. You can now begin to promote your certification with BSI.

The certificate is valid for three years and your assessor will visit you regularly to ensure that you remain compliant, that the AS9100 series checklist is updated, and the score is revised. During these visits we will support you in the continual improvement of your management systems.