Mark Hammar Before you start implementing your aerospace quality management system (QMS) using the requirements of AS9100 Rev D, have you considered that there may be a more relevant standard for your company? It may be a surprise that AS9100 is not the only quality management system standard that has been developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), so make sure that the standard you choose is applicable to your company.
Below are the three standards, AS9100, AS9110 & AS9120, which you should compare before starting the implementation of a QMS in your organization.
What is AS9100, and who is it for?
This standard is titled “Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defense Organizations.” This document is intended to standardize the requirements for the QMS within all organizations that create and deliver products and services. The standard is applicable within the aerospace supply chain around the world, and is intended to result in improved costs, quality and delivery performance. It achieves this by reducing or eliminating requirements that are unique to a specific organization. Additionally, the standard is intended to identify aerospace best-practices to be included within the QMS.
AS9100 takes all of the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, and adds specific requirements of the aviation, space and defense industry. Within the document, the additional requirements are presented in bold and italics, to let you see what has been added. No requirements from the ISO 9001:2015 standard are removed.
The current revision of AS9100 is Rev D. It is based on the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, which is the internationally recognized standard for creating a quality management system.
What is AS9110 and who is it for?
This standard is titled “Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation Maintenance Organizations”. This document is intended to provide the requirements for the quality management system necessary in an aviation maintenance organization, often called repair and overhaul. These organizations do not create original products, but rather repair and maintain products that have been in use. Like AS9100, the standard is applicable world-wide within the supply chain. It is intended to improve quality, schedule and cost performance by providing best-practices and removing unique, organization-specific requirements.
It should be noted that there are some additional supporting standards for AS9110. AS9114 gives requirements for direct ship guidance for aerospace companies, while AS9116 gives requirements on the notice of change requirements in aerospace. However, these are support documents to give guidance and are not requirements of the standard unless, directly included in a customer contract.
The current revision of AS9110 is Rev C, which is based on the requirements of ISO 9001:2015.
What is AS9120 and who is it for?
This standard is titled “Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defense Distributors”. This standard is intended solely for organizations that procure parts, materials and assemblies, then resell these items in the aerospace industry with no modification. This can include procuring products that are split into smaller quantities, or organizations that procure a part and then perform a customer or regulatory controlled process on the product (such as a special inspection) before delivery. The standard is not intended to be used by organizations that maintain or repair products, or for organizations that perform work that could affect the characteristics of the product or the conformity of the product to requirements.
The current revision of AS9120 is Rev B, and it is based on the requirements of ISO 9001:2015.
Which standard is right for you?
The standard you choose will be directly related to the type of organization that you represent. In all cases, if you are not in the aviation, space and defense industry then these standard requirements will not be easily applicable to you. In the case of AS9100 and AS9110, however, the standard states that other industry sectors that need additional requirements over ISO 9001 may use these requirements.
While many of the requirements may be the same, the application of these requirements will differ if you create products and services, repair and overhaul products, or distribute products in the aerospace industry. Ensure that you have identified the correct standard to help you create a quality management system that is right for your organization’s function. You may miss an important element of the standard if you don’t.
Use this Clause-by-clause explanation of AS9100 Rev D whitepaper to set reference points for AS9110 and AS9120.
