AS9100 is a globally harmonized aerospace
standard for quality assurance in design,
development, production, installation, and
service based on the internationally renowned
ISO 9001:2000 quality management system.
The AS9100 standard applies to all components
of the industry from suppliers to manufacturers
of aircrafts and aerospace vehicles, emphasizes
the critical aspects of key characteristics,
and focuses on the need to satisfy internal,
government, and regulatory requirements.
Who
developed AS9100?
AS9100 was cooperatively developed by representatives
from the aerospace industry worldwide in the
form of the International Aerospace Quality
Group.
What
are the core concepts and key elements of AS9100?
Just like the ISO 9001:2000 standard, the
core concept of AS9100 is the “Plan-Do-Check-Act”
cycle, which focuses your organization on
your key processes and results in continuous
improvement.
AS9100 provides guidance for managing variation
when a key characteristic—a feature
of a material, process, or part in which the
variation significantly influences product
fit, performance, manufacturability, or service
life—is identified.
AS9100 further provides expectations regarding
internal quality audits, methods of demonstrating
initial item acceptance, the essentials of
an effective traceability program, and requirements
for controlling and disposing of nonconforming
materials.
Why
should we register to AS9100?
The requirements of AS9100 are based upon
existing best practices and are supported
by the leading global aerospace industry organizations.
Registration to the standard is encouraged
for suppliers to NASA, and to companies such
as Boeing, Northrup Grumman, Lockheed Martin,
General Electric Aircraft Engines (GEAE),
and Rolls Royce.
Since replacing the AS 9000 standard in 1999,
AS9100 has demonstrated its effectiveness
through more consistent verification methods
and expectations, and fewer verification audits
for the industry. The bottom line: improved
supplier performance and reduced oversight
costs.
What
are the verification requirements for compliance
to AS9100?
Different organizations within the aerospace
industry use different verification requirements.
Some use their own external auditors to verify
suppliers’ quality management systems
or share their quality system audit results
with industry suppliers. Most provide suppliers
with copies or external audits and permit
them to share audit results with their own
customers.
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