AS9100 Certification: Aerospace Management Standard

• Obtain the standard:

Get a licensed copy of the relevant standard and familiarize yourself with the requirements to decide if certification/registration to this standard makes good sense for your organization.

• Review available literature and apply digital tools

Explore available literature, guidelines from the standard owners (e.g. ISO/TS 9002 for ISO 9001, ISO 14004 for ISO 14001)   and digital sources and tools that can assist with implementation. Note that as a DNV customer you get access to tailored tools that can assist you.

• Assemble a team and define strategy:

To implement a management system should be a strategic decision for the entire organization. Senior management must be involved in the decision, committed and involved in shaping the system. They decide the business strategy the management system should support. In addition, you need a dedicated team to develop and implement your management system.

• Determine competence needs:

First, your team implementing and maintaining the management system needs a thorough understanding of the chosen standards. Later on, the wider organization needs awareness training. DNV offers a variety of public and in-house courses worldwide that meets your competence training needs at all levels within your organization.

• Review consultant options:

Independent consultants can advise on a workable, realistic, and cost-effective strategy plan for implementation if you do not have this competence or capacity already.

• Develop management system documentation: 

Decide on an appropriate platform for your documented information (e.g. software, process map- or SharePoint-based). The right platform is important to ensure effective management, communication and implementation.

• Determine, manage and document processes:

First identify key processes – what they are, how they work, and how they interact. Each process should have a clear purpose, defined responsibilities, and expected outputs. The level of documented information needed depends on the organization’s size, complexity, and the importance of each process, but must include relevant processes and other documented information needed to deliver on intended outcomes and comply with the chosen standard’s requirements.

• Implement management system:

Clear communication and necessary competence training are essential elements. During the implementation phase, you will work to ensure that your organization is working according to defined and documented processes. Once successful, you can prove system’s compliance and effectiveness.

• Select a certification body/registrar:

Selecting the right certification body/registrar can make a difference throughout your certification journey. DNV offers a trusted partnership approach, a risk-based approach and range of free digital tools that help you manage your certification journey before, during and after the audit.

• Consider a pre-audit gap analysis:

Consider a preliminary evaluation by your certification body/registrar to identify and correct nonconformities before starting the official certification process. The purpose is to identify areas of non-conformance or weaknesses, allowing you to correct these before you begin the official certification process.

IAS/EN 9100 often referred to as AS9100 is the globally recognized quality management system standard for the aviation, space and defence industries. It defines how aerospace organizations should structure and manage their quality processes to ensure safety, reliability and regulatory compliance. The standard applies to companies involved in aerospace design, manufacturing, maintenance or distribution and is widely required by major OEMs across the global supply chain.

AS/EN 9100, sometimes called AS 9100,  refers to the aerospace industry’s dedicated quality management system standard, developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). It builds on ISO 9001 but adapts it to the unique risks and expectations of aerospace operations. In practice, AS/EN 9100 means an organization has a system in place to control its processes, maintain product conformity, ensure full traceability and demonstrate consistent compliance with customer and regulatory requirements

ISO 9001 provides a universal framework for quality management across all industries, while AS/EN 9100 extends this framework with additional controls tailored to the aerospace sector. These additions address the industry’s higher expectations for safety, reliability and regulatory oversight. AS/EN 9100 introduces requirements for areas such as product safety, configuration management, human factors, supplier approval and detailed traceability, ensuring organizations can manage complex processes and meet aerospace specific customer demands.

AS/EN 9100 requires organizations to implement a structured quality management system that controls risk, ensures product safety and maintains consistent process performance. Key expectations include managing design and development activities, controlling changes through configuration management, maintaining full traceability of parts and documentation, overseeing suppliers and addressing human factors to reduce errors. These requirements help organizations deliver safe and compliant aerospace products and services.