AS9100

AS9100 Certification Services 

Navigating the quality and regulatory demands of the aerospace supply chain requires an efficient, recognised certification process. Perry Johnson Registrars (PJR) provides AS9100 certification services to help aerospace manufacturers, suppliers and assembly organisations demonstrate their commitment to quality, product safety, reliability, risk management and continual improvement. 

PJR also provides AS9120 certification services for distributors and AS9110 certification services for maintenance, repair and overhaul organisations. 

As an accredited certification body, PJR works with organisations through initial certification audits, surveillance audits, recertification and certification transfers. This guide explains AS9100 requirements, UK legal and regulatory considerations, certification costs, audit timelines and the process for achieving AS9100 certification. 

What Is AS9100? 

AS9100D is an internationally recognised Quality Management System (QMS) standard developed specifically for the aviation, space and defence industries. 

Maintained by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), AS9100 builds on the ISO 9001 QMS framework and incorporates additional requirements relevant to the aerospace sector, including product safety, operational risk management, configuration management, traceability and the prevention of counterfeit parts. 

AS9100 certification is widely used throughout the aerospace supply chain and can help organisations demonstrate that their quality management processes meet internationally recognised aerospace requirements. 

However, AS9100 certification does not replace applicable statutory, regulatory or customer requirements. UK aerospace organisations must continue to identify and comply with the legislation and regulatory requirements relevant to their particular activities. 

Essential AS9100 Terminology 

Quality Management System (QMS): A structured system of processes, policies, controls and documented information designed to help an organisation consistently meet customer, statutory and regulatory requirements. 

Aerospace Quality: A structured approach to quality management that places particular emphasis on product safety, reliability, traceability, risk management and conformity because failures within aerospace products and services can have significant safety and operational consequences. 

AS9100 vs ISO 9001: ISO 9001 provides a general QMS framework applicable to organisations across many sectors. AS9100 incorporates the ISO 9001 requirements together with additional requirements specific to aviation, space and defence organisations. 

Who Needs AS9100 Certification? 

AS9100 certification is widely used by organisations throughout the aviation, space and defence supply chain, including: 

• Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) 
• Aerospace component manufacturers 
• Aircraft and aerospace parts suppliers 
• Assembly organisations 
• Special process providers 
• Aerospace equipment manufacturers 
• Subcontractors and suppliers 
• Organisations providing aerospace-related services 

The appropriate 9100-series standard depends on the organisation’s activities. 

AS9100: Generally applicable to organisations that design, develop, manufacture or provide products and services for aviation, space and defence. 

AS9110: Applicable to organisations involved in aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul activities. 

AS9120: Applicable primarily to organisations involved in the distribution of aerospace products, parts and materials. 

Key Commercial Drivers 

OEM and Prime Contractor Requirements 

Aerospace suppliers may be required by major OEMs and prime contractors to maintain appropriate aerospace quality certification as part of their supplier qualification or contractual requirements. 

Certification requirements vary by customer, contract and supply-chain position. 

Approved Supplier Lists 

AS9100 certification may be a prerequisite for inclusion on an OEM’s or prime contractor’s approved supplier list. 

Global Supply-Chain Recognition 

AS9100 certification can demonstrate that an organisation has established a structured aerospace QMS and may help support access to international aerospace and defence supply chains. 

AS9100 Certification Requirements 

During an AS9100 certification audit, the certification body evaluates the organisation’s QMS against the applicable requirements of the standard. 

The audit considers not only documented procedures but also how effectively the organisation’s processes have been implemented and how they perform in practice. 

Core AS9100 Audit Requirements 

Documented Information and Control: Organisations must maintain appropriate documented information and records necessary to support effective operation of the QMS and demonstrate conformity. 

Risk-Based Thinking: Organisations must identify and address relevant risks and opportunities associated with their processes, products, services and supply chain. 

Product Safety: AS9100 includes additional requirements relating to product safety, including consideration of product safety risks and controls where applicable. 

Counterfeit Parts Prevention: Organisations must establish appropriate processes for preventing the use and release of counterfeit or suspect counterfeit parts where applicable. 

Internal Audits and Management Reviews: Organisations must conduct internal audits and management reviews to evaluate QMS performance, identify areas for improvement and ensure the continuing suitability and effectiveness of the system. 

Configuration Management and Traceability: Appropriate configuration management and traceability controls must be established where required by customer, statutory, regulatory or organisational requirements. 

Supplier and External Provider Controls: Organisations must establish processes for evaluating and controlling externally provided processes, products and services. 

UK Legal and Regulatory Requirements Relevant to AS9100 

AS9100 is an internationally recognised quality management standard. It is not UK legislation, and holding an AS9100 certificate does not automatically demonstrate compliance with all UK legal or regulatory requirements. 

UK aerospace organisations must identify the legislation and regulatory requirements applicable to their particular activities, products, services, customers and supply-chain position. 

AS9100 can provide a structured framework for managing these requirements through processes for risk management, operational control, documented information, competence, supplier management, traceability, internal audit and corrective action. 

UK Civil Aviation Regulation 

Organisations operating within UK civil aviation may need to comply with requirements arising from the Civil Aviation Act 1982, the Air Navigation Order 2016 (ANO) and other applicable aviation regulations. 

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) maintains the UK’s aviation regulatory framework and provides current regulatory information covering areas including airworthiness, operations, aircrew, aerodromes and other aviation activities. (CAA) 

The specific requirements depend on the organisation’s activities. 

For example, organisations involved in aircraft design, production, maintenance or continuing airworthiness may need to comply with specific UK CAA requirements in addition to their QMS certification. 

UK Part 21 and Airworthiness Requirements 

Organisations involved in aircraft design and production should consider whether their activities fall within the applicable UK Part 21 framework. 

The UK CAA identifies Part 21 aircraft as aircraft regulated under the UK Basic Regulation and associated implementing regulations. The CAA also maintains separate requirements for non-Part 21 aircraft under the Air Navigation Order and British Civil Airworthiness Requirements (BCAR). (CAA) 

AS9100 certification should therefore be considered alongside, rather than instead of, any applicable CAA approvals, airworthiness requirements or other regulatory obligations. 

UK Health and Safety Legislation 

Aerospace manufacturers, maintenance organisations and other aerospace businesses must also consider applicable UK workplace health and safety legislation. 

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 provides the foundation of Great Britain’s workplace health and safety framework. (Legislation.gov.uk) 

Depending on the organisation’s activities, additional requirements may apply to areas such as: 

• Machinery and equipment 
• Hazardous substances 
• Manufacturing processes 
• Maintenance activities 
• Workplace risk assessment 
• Employee competence and training 
• Contractor management 
• Emergency arrangements 
• Workplace transport 
• Dangerous goods 

AS9100’s requirements relating to risk management, competence, operational planning and process control can support an organisation’s wider management arrangements, but AS9100 certification does not itself constitute legal compliance with UK health and safety legislation. 

UK Strategic Export Controls 

Aerospace and defence organisations that export or transfer controlled goods, software or technology may also need to comply with UK strategic export control requirements. 

The UK’s strategic export control framework applies to specified military goods and technology and certain dual-use items. The UK Government maintains a consolidated list of controlled military and dual-use items, and organisations are responsible for determining whether their goods, software or technology require an export licence. (GOV.UK) 

This can be particularly relevant to aerospace organisations dealing with: 

• Aircraft and aerospace components 
• Avionics 
• Navigation equipment 
• Aerospace and propulsion technologies 
• Military products 
• Dual-use technologies 
• Technical data and software 

Export-control obligations can apply not only to physical products but also to controlled software, technology, technical information and certain transfers. 

Organisations should establish appropriate controls for identifying applicable export requirements, classifying products and technology, screening transactions and obtaining licences where required. 

UK Space Industry Regulation 

Organisations operating in the UK space sector may have additional regulatory obligations. 

The Space Industry Act 2018 provides the legal framework for certain spaceflight activities carried out from the UK. Supporting regulations include the Space Industry Regulations 2021 and other associated regulations. (GOV.UK) 

Depending on the activity, a licence may be required for activities including: 

• Launching a space object from the UK 
• Procuring the launch of a space object from the UK 
• Returning a space object to Earth 
• Operating a space object 
• Conducting certain activities in outer space 
• Conducting sub-orbital activities 

The UK regulatory framework also includes requirements relating to areas such as safety, liability, insurance and environmental considerations. (GOV.UK) 

Organisations operating in the space sector should therefore identify their applicable licensing and regulatory requirements in addition to considering AS9100 certification. 

How AS9100 Can Support UK Regulatory Compliance 

AS9100 does not certify an organisation as legally compliant with every applicable UK requirement. 

However, its management system framework can help organisations establish systematic processes for identifying, implementing and monitoring applicable statutory, regulatory and customer requirements. 

AS9100-related activity	Potential compliance benefit
Identification of requirements	Helps identify applicable customer, statutory and regulatory requirements
Risk management	Supports systematic assessment of operational and product-related risks
Documented information	Helps maintain evidence of processes, controls and decisions
Competence and training	Helps demonstrate that personnel have appropriate competence
Configuration management	Supports control of product and process configuration
Traceability	Supports control and retrieval of product and process records
Supplier controls	Helps manage quality and applicable regulatory requirements within the supply chain
Internal audits	Provides a structured mechanism for evaluating process implementation
Management review	Provides senior management with visibility of QMS performance
Corrective action	Supports investigation and resolution of identified nonconformities

Quick Comparison: AS9100 vs ISO 9001 

Requirement Area	ISO 9001	AS9100
Quality Management	General QMS framework	Aerospace-specific QMS requirements
Product Safety	Requirements applicable to the organisation	Additional aerospace requirements for product safety
Risk Management	Risk-based approach	Additional aerospace-specific risk considerations
Counterfeit Parts	General requirements where applicable	Specific requirements addressing counterfeit/suspect parts
Configuration Management	Requirements applicable to the organisation	Additional aerospace-specific controls
Traceability	Based on applicable requirements	Additional aerospace supply-chain and product requirements
Supplier Controls	Control of externally provided processes, products and services	Additional aerospace requirements
Operational Performance	Monitoring and measurement of processes	Additional aerospace-related performance requirements

Who Issues AS9100 Certification? 

AS9100 certificates are issued by independent, accredited third-party certification bodies participating in the IAQG certification scheme. 

The IAQG states that certification bodies audit against applicable requirements, including ISO/IEC 17021-1, IAQG 9104/1 and AS9101. Accredited certification bodies participating in the IAQG scheme can be identified through OASIS. (IAQG) 

Why Does Accreditation Matter? 

Independent Certification: A third-party certification body independently evaluates the organisation’s QMS against the applicable requirements. 

Accreditation: Accreditation provides assurance that the certification body operates within recognised requirements for competence, impartiality and consistency. 

IAQG OASIS: OASIS provides aerospace certification and registration information and includes information on certification bodies and other participants in the IAQG certification scheme. (IAQG) 

AS9100 Certification Services Offered by PJR 

PJR provides certification services designed to support organisations throughout the AS9100 certification lifecycle. 

Audit Readiness and Certification 

Optional Pre-Assessment: Organisations may request an optional pre-assessment or readiness review to identify areas that may require attention before the formal certification audit. 

Stage 1 Audit: The Stage 1 audit evaluates documented information and assesses the organisation’s readiness for the Stage 2 audit. 

Stage 2 Audit: The Stage 2 audit evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of the QMS against the applicable AS9100 requirements. 

Surveillance Audits: Following initial certification, surveillance activities are conducted in accordance with the applicable certification programme. 

Recertification: Recertification is conducted at the end of the certification cycle to evaluate the continued suitability and effectiveness of the QMS. 

Certification Transfers 

Organisations that already hold AS9100 certification with another certification body may be able to transfer their certificate to PJR, subject to applicable transfer requirements. 

A certification transfer can provide an alternative for organisations seeking a different certification body while maintaining continuity of their certification. 

Single-Site and Multi-Site Certification 

Where applicable, certification arrangements can be structured for: 

• Individual manufacturing facilities 
• Corporate or headquarters locations 
• Multiple eligible sites 
• International multi-site organisations 

The applicable audit programme depends on the organisation’s structure, scope and certification requirements. 

Integrated Management Systems 

Where appropriate, organisations may combine AS9100 certification activities with other management system standards such as: 

• ISO 9001 
• ISO 14001 
• ISO 45001 

Integrated audit arrangements may help reduce duplication and improve audit efficiency where the applicable requirements and certification arrangements permit. 

How to Get AS9100 Certified 

Achieving AS9100 certification through PJR generally follows a structured process. 

1. Define the Certification Scope 

Identify the facilities, processes, products and services that will be included within the certification scope. 

The scope should accurately reflect the organisation’s activities and the products and services supplied to aerospace customers. 

2. Implement the QMS 

Develop and implement processes that address the applicable requirements of AS9100. 

Where an organisation already operates an ISO 9001-based QMS, the existing system may provide a foundation for addressing the additional aerospace requirements. 

3. Conduct Internal Audits 

Complete an appropriate internal audit programme before the certification audit. 

Internal audits should evaluate whether the QMS has been effectively implemented and identify areas requiring corrective action. 

4. Conduct Management Review 

Senior management should review the QMS and its performance before the certification audit, considering relevant performance information, risks, opportunities, audit results, customer feedback and improvement activities. 

5. Stage 1 Audit 

PJR conducts the Stage 1 audit to evaluate documented information and assess the organisation’s readiness for Stage 2. 

6. Stage 2 Audit 

The Stage 2 audit evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of the QMS against the applicable AS9100 requirements. 

7. Corrective Action 

Where nonconformities are identified, the organisation must respond and implement corrective action in accordance with the applicable certification requirements. 

8. Certification Decision 

Following completion of the applicable audit and certification process, a certification decision is made. Where certification requirements have been met, the organisation receives its AS9100 certificate and applicable certification information is recorded within the IAQG OASIS system. 

How Much Does AS9100 Certification Cost? 

AS9100 certification costs vary according to the organisation’s size, scope, complexity, locations and other factors affecting audit duration. 

Audit time is determined using applicable international and accreditation requirements. 

Factors Influencing Certification Costs 

Number of Employees and Locations: Larger organisations and eligible multi-site operations may require additional audit time. 

Scope and Technical Complexity: Design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly, testing and other specialised processes may affect audit duration. 

Number and Complexity of Processes: Organisations with more complex operational processes may require additional audit time. 

Locations: Multiple locations can affect the certification structure and audit programme. 

Travel and Expenses: Auditor availability and the location of the organisation may affect associated travel expenses. 

For more information, see PJR’s FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Get AS9100 Certified? 

The time required to achieve AS9100 certification varies between organisations. Factors that can affect the timeline include:

• Existing QMS maturity 
• Whether the organisation already holds ISO 9001 certification 
• Number and complexity of processes 
• Organisation size 
• Number of sites 
• Availability of personnel 
• Internal audit readiness 
• Management involvement 
• Corrective action requirements 

An organisation with a mature ISO 9001-based QMS may already have many of the processes needed as a foundation for AS9100 implementation. 

An organisation developing an aerospace QMS from the beginning may require more preparation. 

Rather than relying on a fixed timeframe, organisations should establish their certification project timeline based on their current level of QMS maturity and readiness. 

AS9100 Certification for Individuals 

AS9100 certification applies to organisations rather than individual professionals. 

Organisations 

Eligible organisations, facilities and operational sites can be certified against AS9100 within a defined certification scope. 

Individuals 

Individuals do not receive an organisational AS9100 certificate. 

However, professionals working in aerospace quality can undertake relevant training and qualifications, including AS9100 Lead Auditor and Internal Auditor training. 

Why Choose Perry Johnson Registrars (PJR)? 

Choosing an appropriate certification body is an important part of maintaining an internationally recognised aerospace certification. 

The PJR Advantage 

Accreditation: PJR states that it is accredited by recognised accreditation bodies, including ANAB, for applicable certification activities. (PJR) 

IAQG OASIS: Applicable aerospace certification information can be recorded within the IAQG OASIS system, which provides aerospace supplier certification and registration information. (IAQG) 

Experienced Auditors: PJR states that its auditors undergo a qualification process that includes technical competency assessment, training and ongoing qualification activities. (PJR) 

Certification Support: PJR provides resources and support throughout the certification process, from application and audit preparation through to certification and ongoing surveillance. 

International Recognition: AS9100 certification operates within an international aerospace certification scheme, supporting recognition across global aerospace supply chains. 

Useful Resources and Related Topics 

• How Much Does It Cost to Get Certified? 
• Simplifying Certificate Transfers to PJR 
• ISO 9001 Standard Overview 
• AS9110 Certification Services 
• AS9120 Certification Services 
• Aerospace Quality Management Systems 
• UK Aerospace Regulatory Requirements 

Request a Free AS9100 Certification Quote 

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