What Is AS 9100? AS 9100 Steps to Certification Explained

What Is AS 9100? A Simple Explanation

AS 9100 is the quality management standard used across the aviation, space, and defense industry. Its full title is “Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space, and Defense Organizations,” and it is owned by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG).

In simple terms, AS 9100 sets out how aerospace and defense organizations should manage quality so that every product and service is safe, reliable, and conforms to customer and regulatory requirements.

The current version, AS 9100, includes all of ISO 9001:2015 plus additional aerospace requirements such as:

• Product safety
• Configuration management
• Counterfeit parts prevention
• Operational risk management
• Special process control
• First article inspection
• Foreign object debris (FOD) prevention
• Supplier control and requirement flow-down
• On-time delivery performance

Why Organizations Get AS 9100 Certified

Most major aerospace manufacturers and defense prime contractors require AS 9100 certification from their suppliers. Certification helps organizations:

• Qualify for aerospace and defense contracts
• Demonstrate compliance with strict quality and safety expectations
• Gain visibility through listing in the IAQG OASIS database
• Reduce nonconformities, escapes, and counterfeit risks
• Build long-term trust with customers

AS 9100 Certification Steps Explained in Detail

Step 1: Understand AS 9100 Requirements

Start by understanding what AS 9100 requires, along with your customers’ contractual quality requirements and any regulatory obligations. Pay attention to aerospace-specific requirements that go beyond ISO 9001.

Step 2: Choose the Right 9100 Standard

The 9100 series includes different standards for different organizations:

Choosing the right standard ensures your certification matches your activities.

Step 3: Secure Leadership Commitment

Top management must commit to the QMS by setting the quality policy, providing resources, and appointing a management representative responsible for QMS matters.

Step 4: Define Your Certification Scope

Define which sites, products, services, and activities, such as design, machining, assembly, or special processes, will be included in your AS 9100 certification.

Step 5: Conduct a Gap Analysis

Compare your current processes against AS 9100 requirements to identify what is in place, what needs improvement, and what is missing. This forms the basis of your implementation plan.

Step 6: Plan Your AS 9100 Project

Create an implementation plan with clear actions, responsibilities, and priorities. Focus first on high-risk gaps such as product safety, configuration management, and supplier control.

Step 7: Develop Documentation

Develop the documented information AS 9100 requires, including:

• QMS scope, quality policy, and objectives
• Process maps and interactions
• Operational risk management process
• Configuration management process
• Product safety process
• Counterfeit parts prevention process
• Supplier register and flow-down requirements
• Control of special processes and first article inspection
• FOD prevention controls
• Records for production, calibration, competence, audits, and reviews

Step 8: Implement the QMS

Put your processes into practice across engineering, production, quality, purchasing, and support functions. Generate records that show the system is working, such as risk registers, delivery metrics, supplier evaluations, and inspection records.

Step 9: Build Employee Awareness

AS 9100 requires employees to understand their contribution to product conformity and product safety, and the importance of ethical behavior. Make sure awareness reaches the shop floor, not just managers.

Step 10: Conduct an Internal Audit

Audit all AS 9100 requirements and processes within your scope. Use process-based audits that follow real product trails, from customer order to delivery, to find genuine gaps.

Step 11: Hold a Management Review

Top management reviews QMS performance, including on-time delivery, product conformity, customer feedback, supplier performance, risks, audit results, and improvement actions.

Step 12: Select a Certification Body

Choose a certification body accredited to certify AS 9100 under the IAQG scheme. Consider auditor experience in your type of aerospace work and the certification body’s reputation with your customers.

Step 13: Stage 1 Audit

The Stage 1 audit reviews your readiness. The auditor typically:

• Reviews your documentation and scope
• Confirms internal audit and management review are complete
• Assesses your understanding of AS 9100 requirements
• Identifies concerns that must be addressed before Stage 2

Step 14: Stage 2 Audit

The Stage 2 audit evaluates whether your QMS is effectively implemented. Aerospace auditors follow AS9101 audit requirements and typically:

• Interview management and employees
• Follow product and process trails
• Assess process effectiveness, not just compliance
• Review evidence such as risk registers, configuration records, first article inspections, supplier records, and delivery metrics
• Identify any nonconformities

Step 15: Close Nonconformities

If nonconformities are raised, your organization must:

• Contain the issue
• Perform root cause analysis, including human factors
• Implement corrective actions
• Provide evidence to the certification body for review and acceptance

Step 16: Certification and OASIS Listing

Once the certification body approves your certification, you receive your AS 9100 certificate. Your certification details are listed in the IAQG Online Aerospace Supplier Information System (OASIS), where customers can verify your status.

Step 17: Maintain Your AS 9100 Certification

Certification is ongoing. To maintain it:

• Undergo regular surveillance audits
• Complete recertification audits when required
• Keep monitoring on-time delivery and product conformity
• Continue internal audits and management reviews
• Update your QMS as customer requirements change
• Prepare for the transition to IA9100 once it is published

Benefits of Following the Right AS 9100 Steps

• Smoother Certification Audits::Fewer surprises and nonconformities
• Stronger Quality System: Processes that genuinely improve quality and safety
• Customer Confidence: Proven ability to meet aerospace expectations
• Access to Contracts: Eligibility for aerospace and defense programs
• Better Supplier Control: Stronger supply chain integrity.
• Future Readiness: A solid foundation for the transition to IA9100

Why Choose TopCertifier for AS 9100 Certification?

TopCertifier is a leading ISO consulting and certification service provider that guides aviation, space, and defense organizations through every step of AS 9100 certification. Our experienced AS 9100 Consultants provide end-to-end support, including standard selection, scope definition, gap analysis, documentation, implementation, internal audits, management review support, certification audit preparation, and support in closing findings.

We understand what aerospace auditors look for and help you prepare the right evidence at each step. With TopCertifier, organizations follow a clear, structured path to AS 9100 certification and build quality systems ready for the transition to IA9100.