FAA Part 21.137 Series, Article Seven: Supplier Control and Employee Training—Building a Strong Foundation for Quality Compliance

In this seventh installment of our series on FAA Part 21.137, we focus on two essential components that bolster an aviation manufacturer’s quality management system: supplier control and employee training. Both play a pivotal role in ensuring that products meet safety and regulatory standards from the ground up, reinforcing the integrity of the entire production process.

Supplier Control: Managing the Supply Chain for Quality Assurance

In aviation manufacturing, the quality of a finished product is only as strong as the materials and components that go into it. Supplier control under FAA Part 21.137 is about creating a system of rigorous oversight, ensuring that every part delivered by a supplier meets the necessary safety and performance standards before it’s integrated into the manufacturing process.

Key Elements of Effective Supplier Control

1. Supplier Qualification and Selection: Manufacturers must establish strict criteria for selecting suppliers, ensuring that potential partners are capable of meeting FAA requirements. This involves assessing a supplier’s facilities, quality management systems, and history of compliance.
2. Supplier Audits: Conducting regular audits of suppliers is crucial. These audits verify that the supplier adheres to the agreed-upon standards and continues to operate in compliance with FAA regulations. Audits also allow manufacturers to identify and address any issues that could affect the quality of the parts or materials provided.
3. Ongoing Monitoring: Supplier control doesn’t end after initial qualification or an audit. Manufacturers must continuously monitor suppliers' performance, ensuring that any changes in production or quality processes are communicated and reviewed. This helps prevent substandard components from entering the production line.
4. Traceability: Clear traceability of supplier-provided components ensures that, in the event of an issue, manufacturers can quickly identify and isolate the problem, minimizing its impact. Proper documentation must be maintained, linking each supplier-provided part to its origin and batch for full accountability.

Employee Training: Empowering Teams for Quality and Compliance

While supplier control focuses on the external supply chain, employee training is the internal driver of compliance and quality. Well-trained employees are critical to ensuring that processes, procedures, and FAA regulations are consistently followed. Under Part 21.137, a strong emphasis is placed on building a workforce that is knowledgeable and capable of maintaining high standards in aviation manufacturing.

Essential Elements of Employee Training

1. Regulatory Knowledge: Employees must have a solid understanding of FAA regulations, including Part 21.137 and related guidelines. Training should cover not only the general principles but also specific compliance requirements relevant to their roles.
2. Process-Specific Training: Each employee should receive detailed training tailored to their specific responsibilities within the organization. This ensures that they are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to execute tasks according to established quality standards.
3. Continuous Learning: Employee training isn’t a one-time event. It should be a continuous process, incorporating updates on new regulations, advancements in technology, and evolving best practices in the aviation industry. Regular refreshers and certifications help maintain a workforce that is always current with compliance standards.
4. Assessments and Feedback: Effective training programs incorporate assessments that measure an employee’s understanding and application of the material. Post-training feedback ensures that any gaps in knowledge are addressed and that the workforce remains fully capable of maintaining compliance.

Building a Culture of Compliance Through Collaboration

Supplier control and employee training are two sides of the same coin when it comes to maintaining a strong quality management system. A reliable supply chain coupled with a well-trained workforce helps ensure that every part, process, and product meets the stringent safety and performance standards required in aviation manufacturing.

Together, these elements form the backbone of a proactive compliance culture, one that is built on collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. When employees and suppliers are aligned in their commitment to quality, it reinforces the integrity of the entire manufacturing process.

Looking Ahead

In our next article, we’ll explore how corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and management reviews contribute to maintaining continuous improvement within the FAA Part 21.137 framework. We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences on supplier control and employee training in the comments below.

#AviationCompliance #SupplierControl #EmployeeTraining #FAARegulations #QualityManagement #AerospaceEngineering