AS 9120: Quality Management Systems - Aerospace Requirements for Stockist Distributors

AS 9120: Quality Management Systems - Aerospace Requirements for Stockist Distributors prescribes the specific requirements for manufacturers of components for the aerospace and defense industries. The standard emphasizes consistency of the material, from acceptance through delivery, protection and supervision of stored materials, defining method and monitoring of the splitting of the material/batch to keep in compliance with the specifications, and keeping applicable records to prove full compliance with the specifications of customers, the authorities, etc.

AS9120 is part of the series of AS9100: Quality management systems – Aerospace series, prepared by SAE Aerospace, under the sponsorship of the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), which includes some of the largest companies in the industry, such as General Electric Inc., Boeing Company, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., MTU Aero Engines AG, Airbus SE, and Israel Aerospace Industries.

AS9120 certification integrates the requirements of ISO 9001: Quality management systems and legislative and aviation requirements. There are also special standards, such as AS9110: Quality Maintenance Systems - Aerospace - Requirements for Maintenance Organizations and AS9115: Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defense Organizations – Deliverable Software.

The requirements of AS9120 are easier than those of AS9100, encouraging organizations on the supply chain to comply with them to be part of the full supply chain, the objective of which is to produce a product on time at a quality per the customers' specifications.

Standards Institution of Israel compliance certification with AS9100: Quality management systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defense Organizations demonstrates that the organization applies control, monitoring, validation, and process verification methods and provides the necessary resources to realize its commitment to the quality of products.

Advantages of AS9100 certification

• Identify and management processes, collect and analyze data with respect to the defined metrics and targets
• Reduces expenses for loss of material, flawed service, customer loss, etc.
• Comply with contractual requirements and requirements of Israeli and foreign aviation authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
• Drive ongoing processes and improvement plans, even beyond basic compliance with the requirements
• Consistency across the supply chain from the material level to the finished product and service, and aircraft and avionics renovation and assemblies
• Reduce the number and scope of customer audits

Standards Institution of Israel auditors will help identify whether the organization's quality management system is in compliance with the requirements and what are the points in need of improvement. AS9120 certification ensures that the organization is in compliance with the requirements of SI ISO 9001.

Standards Institution of Israel audits are performed by APMG-trained and certified auditors

Road to certification

Certification follows the successful implementation an organization's in-house aviation, space, and defense quality management system pursuant to the requirements of the standard. To start this process, it is recommended to purchase the standard at the Standards Institution of Israel Information Center, study the requirements, and participate in appropriate training. It is also possible to consult with the aviation, space, and defense quality management experts and undergo an audit by Standards Institution of Israel to check for shortcomings.

The process ought to be seen as an opportunity for improvement via the organization team which will receive management commitment and involvement. At the end of the process, independent Standards Institution of Israel auditors will perform an audit that confirms that the organization's aviation, space, and defense management system is compatible to the specifications of the standard.