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AS9100 QMS – Aviation, Space & Defense

What is AS 9100 Quality Management Standard (QMS)?

The AS9100 ISO standard is the aerospace industry’s quality management system requirement based on the ISO 9001 international standard.
It was designed to reduce defects in the supplier chain and to continuously improve quality and boost customer satisfaction and was developed by 11 prime US aerospace contractors such as McDonnell-Douglas Corp., Lockheed-Martin, General Electric, and The Boeing Company, to name a few.

The current version, AS9100D was released in 2016 to incorporate the latest quality system requirements of ISO 9001:2015 with the addition of quality system requirements specific to the aerospace industry. The standard provides suppliers with a comprehensive quality system for providing safe and reliable products to the aerospace industry

With Quality and reliability being one of the critical values for the aerospace industry, in an environment where the errors 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 organisations to provide a product or service.

Therefore certification with this standard ensures you put health & safety first whilst navigating the many regulations of the aerospace industry to achieve full compliance with AS9100 (BS EN 9100).

What are the benefits of Implementing AS9100?

“More than a certificate on the wall”

The aerospace industry has moved toward requiring their subcontractors and suppliers to be AS9100 compliant and/or certified. By becoming registered to AS9100 or by conforming to the standard, suppliers can gain a competitive advantage and benefit from the improved processes and continuous improvement that is the foundation of AS9100 certified Quality Management Systems.

Some of the many benefits of implementing AS9100 include:

  • PRODUCT RELIABILITY
    Reduced costs through improved product reliability
  • IMPROVED PROCESS CONTROL
    Improved process control
  • IMPROVED EMPLOYEE CULTURE
    Greater employee quality awareness and ownership
  • ERROR RISK REDUCTION
    Reduce the risk of product or service mistakes and fatal failures
  • IMPROVED PRODUCT YIELD
    Reduction in scrap, rework and rejected products
  • PROFIT INCREASE
    Positive impact on your bottom line and market
  • GLOBALLY RECOGNISED CERTIFICATION
    Accreditation via a certified body which is internationally recognised.
  • LICENCE TO TRADE
    Demonstrate effective quality management to achieve a licence to trade in the Aerospace Industry
  • OASIS DATABASE LISTING
    Get a listing in the Online Supplier Information System (OASIS) database
  • PREFERRED SUPPLIER
    Become a preferred supplier whilst gaining customer and stakeholder credibility and trust
  • STRONG QMS
    It demonstrates the existence of an effective quality management system that satisfies the rigours of an independent, external audit
  • BRAND STRENGTHENING
    The overall image of the company is greatly enhanced through the eyes of customers, employees, shareholders and even competitors
  • KEY SELLING POINT
    It gives a competitive edge to the company’s marketing strategy to secure international growth

What's involved with implementing AS9100?

Quite simply…

AS9100D = ISO 9001:2015 requirements + Additional Aviation, Space and Defense requirements.

The AS9100 standard is more stringent than the requirements of ISO 9001 because of the inherent higher levels of risk in the aerospace industry.

The intent of the standard is:

  • To reduce the risk of mistakes in products and services, including fatal failures
  • To provide consistency in products used in the aerospace industry internationally
  • To address specific aerospace requirements related to regulatory, safety and reliability
  • To qualify as a supplier in the aerospace industry
  • To be listed in the Online Supplier Information System (OASIS) database

To help with the road ahead, we have simplified the regulation into five steps:

5 HASSLE FREE STEPS TO BECOMING CERTIFIED

STEP 1

INITIAL REVIEW

Undertake a review of the existing operational and management processes with directors and key staff which will give a clear understanding where you stand versus the conformity to the standard as well as the identification of the company’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement.

STEP 2

Development of the QMS

Develop and document the Quality Policy, Quality Objectives, Quality Procedures and Associated Documentation in relation to the Company’s Business Objectives, Legal Requirements and the requirements of EN ISO 9001: 2015. Our consultants will liaise very closely with directors and staff throughout this stage so that they have the opportunity to review draft documents and make suggestions for revision if required. This will ensure that everyone takes ownership of the QMS.

The system development includes the following module:

  • Leadership education
  • Planning including Change Management
  • Process Development
  • Documentation Management
  • Resource Management
STEP 3

Training & Implementation

During this phase of the project we work alongside senior management and staff implementing and monitoring the performance of the relevant sections of the standard by gathering documentary evidence in readiness for the assessment.

STEP 4

Internal Audit & Management Review

During this phase a complete cycle of internal audits of the various business processes shall be performed and the results covered subsequently in a formal management review in order to determine the effectiveness of the implementation of the QMS. Further actions if required will be agreed and implemented in readiness for the external assessment.

STEP 5

Assessment by Certification Body

The Auditor will initially undertake a desk study of the documented system to make sure that it complies with the requirements of the Standard and then will gather further evidence to verify that the QMS has been fully implemented and is effective, by carrying out a series of audits of processes against the documented procedures.

Normally, even when certification is recommended, the auditor will raise a number of Corrective Action Requests and/or Observations and ‘Opportunities for Improvement’.

Beyond Certification

AS9100 Excellence

Certification for most organisations is the initial goal. This is the beginning and not the end of the journey toward building excellence in management systems. Post certification, QualityCERT consultants assist in several ways:

  • Help the organisation document its success, review the maturity level of the organisation’s management system
  • Review and where necessary re-define the new roadmap to excellence
  • Identify the most appropriate excellence models and tools to implement the new roadmap
  • Help identify the resources they may need to maintain what they have achieved
  • Build the new vision for the organisation in relation to management system performance

WHY QualityCERT is 1st Choice for AS9100

“Fully qualified professionals with a wealth of practical experience”

Practical Solutions

We work in the real world and implement solutions that are practical, which will help, and not hinder your operations.

FULLY QUALIFIED CONSULTANTS

Our Consultants are qualified in a range of quality and governance standards including CIPP/E, ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, BS OHSAS 18001, AS 9100D, and PAS 2030.

Extensive commercial experience.

Our Directors have over 20 years experience in implementing business systems in commercial and industrial environments

Professional Service

We can advise, train and implement GDPR best practices within your organisation.

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