Does Your A&D Company Need AS9100?

AS9100 is an internationally recognized QMS standard specifically designed for the Aerospace & Defense industry. Developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group, it incorporates the requirements of ISO 9001 with additional aerospace standards to ensure product safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

AS9100 covers the entire product lifecycle, including design, development, production, and post-delivery. It emphasizes risk management, traceability, supplier performance, and continuous improvement to meet the demands of Aerospace & Defense customers.

The Benefits of AS9100 Certification

AS9100 certification can bring the following benefits:

• Access to New Business Opportunities: Many A&D prime contractors require their suppliers to hold AS9100 certification as a prerequisite for doing business.
• Enhanced Credibility: Certification demonstrates a commitment to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, boosting your reputation with existing and potential customers.
• Improved Operational Efficiency: Implementing AS9100 drives process optimization, reduces waste, and ensures consistent quality output.
• Risk Mitigation: The standard's emphasis on risk-based thinking helps identify and address potential issues before they impact product performance or delivery schedules.
• Customer Confidence: Certification reassures customers of your capability to meet complex, high-stakes requirements consistently.
• Regulatory Compliance: AS9100 helps ensure adherence to regulatory and statutory requirements specific to aerospace and defense.

Is AS9100 Certification Worth It?

Consider the following to help decide if pursuing AS9100 certification is worth the time and expense:

• Customer Requirements: Are your current or prospective customers requiring AS9100 certification to do business with them?
• Market Expansion Goals: Do you plan to enter new A&D markets or work with large prime contractors?
• Process Maturity: Is your existing quality management process strong enough to meet AS9100 standards or will significant investments be needed?
• Resource Availability: Does your team have the bandwidth to develop, implement, and maintain the system? Are you willing to invest in training and auditing?
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Weigh the costs of certification, including audits and ongoing maintenance, against the potential revenue growth and operational improvements.

Some Additional Things to Consider...

What is the timeline for achieving certification, and how does it align with your business goals?

What resources, both internal and external, will you need to implement and maintain the certification?

Who will champion the certification process internally, and how will you build buy-in across the organization?

Are there additional customer-specific requirements to consider beyond AS9100?

How will you track and measure the ROI of this certification?

If you're interest in learning more specifics check out the SAE site at https://www.sae.org/standards/content/as9100/