When you see a plane, do you often consider all the individual parts it is made of and that each part must work perfectly together for the plane to fly? If you don’t work within the Aviation, Space, and Defense (ASD) industry, the answer is probably not. When you recognize the fact that modern airplanes are made of millions of parts, it only makes sense that the regulations in this industry demand the highest standards for quality management from manufacturers. To ensure this quality, the ASD industry relies on manufacturers holding an AS Certification, the mark of expertise for professionals.
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What is an AS Certification?
The AS Certification is the standard for the Aviation, Space, and Defense industry, created by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). The IAQG has representatives from the Americas, Asia/Pacific, and European regions. These standards provide suppliers and manufacturers with requirements for creating and maintaining a comprehensive quality system for providing safe and reliable products to the ASD industry.
Types of AS Certification
There are three main AS Certifications. Each certification corresponds to a different section of the ASD industry.
AS9100 – Design, Develop, or Manufacture
AS9100 is a quality management system (QMS) that is specific to the aerospace industry. The base standards of AS9100 include those from the ISO 9001 certification in addition to other requirements. These additional requirements are specific to the ASD industry. Companies of any size can earn this certification.
AS9110 – Aircraft Maintenance Organizations
To extend the base requirements as the AS9100, the AS9110 certification brings additional requirements specific to the maintenance of aircrafts and other ASD vehicles.
AS9120 – ASD Distributors of Components
AS9120 has the same base requirements as AS9100 but adds more than 100 additional requirements that are specific to distributors who carry ASD components such as fasteners, electronics, and gaskets. This certification was designed for pass-through distributors: these are companies who do not manufacture or add value to the parts, rather they distribute parts or materials to the next step in the process.
Benefits of AS Certification
Why should you consider working with AS-certified shops? When working with a certified company, you are recognized globally as a reputable supplier. Overall operation costs can be reduced thanks to the management system companies must follow for certification. Some buyers require AS certification to do business with a supplier. Businesses will also have an overall better reputation and relationship with stakeholders and employees. These are just some of the benefits of AS certification.
AS certification is the standard for the Aviation, Space, and Defense industry. These standards ensure that proper handling protocols and safety regulations are met. Across the world, companies work to achieve AS certification because of the reputation and benefits that come with it. Here at Winn Machine, in addition to our ISO certification, we are working towards our AS certification and plan to earn it soon. To learn more about our certifications and product offerings, contact us today.
