(Content below is from the ISOQAR website)
AS 9100 – The Standard for Aerospace
What is AS 9100?

AS 9100 is the quality management standard specifically written for the aerospace industry. It had long been considered by some entities, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), that the ISO 9000 series of standards were inadequate in terms of ensuring quality and safety in the “high risk” aerospace industry.

AS 9000, was first published in August 1997 and was written with input from a number of large aerospace prime contractors including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and GE Aircraft Engines and was written against the clauses of ISO 9001:1994.

In late 1999, the first revision of AS 9100 was published by The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International) with input from the American Aerospace Quality Group (AAQG) and support from the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) and the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC).

The current version of AS 9100, Revision B, aligns the standard with ISO 9001:2000 and has extra requirements regarding Regulatory Compliance and the following aerospace-sector specific requirements:

* Configuration management
* Design phase, design verification, validation and testing processes
* Reliability, maintainability and safety
* Approval and review of subcontractor performance
* Verification of purchased product
* Product identification throughout the product’s life cycle
* Product documentation
* Control of production process changes
* Control of production equipment, tools and numerical control machine programmes
* Control of work performed outside the supplier’s facilities
* Special processes
* Inspection and testing procedures
* Methods, resources and recording
* Corrective action
* Expansion of the internal audit requirements in ISO 9001:2000
* First article inspection
* Servicing, including collecting and analysing data, delivery, investigation and reporting and control of technical documentation
* Review of disposition of non conforming product

As a result, ISO 9001:2000 is totally encompassed within AS 9100 with these additional requirements applied specifically addressing aviation safety concerns. It is also the only standard which considers the role of the Regulatory Authorities and so many of the “add-ins” are directly traceable to FAA Regulations FAR Part 21 (Certification Procedures for Products and Parts), Part 39 (Airworthiness Directives) and Part 45 (Identification and Registration Marking).

However it must be remembered that AS 9100 remains complementary to contractual and applicable law and regulations. Any business implementing an AS 9100 compliant quality system must ensure the additional requirements of their customers, regulatory agencies (FAA, JAA etc) and local, state and national laws are referenced within the systems documentation.

There is now a family of the AS 9100 Standards applicable to different areas of the aerospace industry which includes the following:

AS 9101B – Quality System Assessment (the checklist corresponding to AS 9100 rev B)
AS 9102 – Aerospace First Article Inspection Requirements
AS 9110 – Requirements for Maintenance Organisations
AS 9120 – Requirements for Stockists and Distributors
The Benefits of Implementing AS 9100

Implementing AS 9100 will motivate staff by defining their key roles and responsibilities. Cost savings can be made through improved efficiency and productivity as product or service deficiencies will be highlighted. From this, improvements can be developed, resulting in less waste, inappropriate or rejected work and fewer complaints. Customers will notice that orders are met consistently, on time and to the correct specification. This can open up the market place to increased opportunities. An additional benefit due to the standardised processes and procedures is the reduction in multiple expectations due to the consistency in verification.
How to Implement AS 9100

* Identify the requirements of AS 9100 and how they apply to the business involved.
* Establish quality objectives and how they fit in to the operation of the business.
* Produce a documented quality policy indicating how these requirements are satisfied.
* Communicate them throughout the organisation.
* Evaluate the quality policy, its stated objectives and then prioritise requirements to ensure they are met.
* Identify the boundaries of the management system and produce documented procedures as required.
* Ensure these procedures are suitable and adhered to.
* Once developed, undertake internal audits to ensure the system carries on working.

Why Seek Certification to AS 9100

* Registration to AS 9100 by an accredited registrar shows commitment to quality and customers and a willingness to work towards improving efficiency.
* It demonstrates the existence of an effective quality management system that satisfies the rigours of an independent, external audit and addresses the additional safety, reliability and quality concerns specific to the aerospace industry.
* An AS 9100 certificate enhances company image in the eyes of customers, employees and shareholders alike.
* It gives a competitive edge to an organisation’s marketing.

Audit to AS 9100

Once all the requirements of AS 9100 have been met it is time for an external audit. This should be carried out by a third party, accredited registrar. ISOQAR will review the quality manuals and procedures. This process involves looking at the company’s evaluation of quality and ascertains if targets set for the management programme are measurable and achievable. This is followed at a later date by a full on-site audit to ensure that working practices observe the procedures and stated objectives and that appropriate records are kept. AS 9101B will be used as the assessment checklist.

After a successful audit a certificate of registration to AS 9100 will be issued. There will then be surveillance visits (usually once or twice a year) to ensure that the system continues to work.