AS9100, released in 1999 and revised in
2001 to align with ISO 9001:2000, is the
international ISO 9001 derivative for suppliers
to the aerospace industry. AS9100 takes
the ISO 9001:2000 quality management systems
standard covering every step and department
of the manufacturing process, and inserts
aerospace industry-specific requirements.
AS9100 also addresses flowdown of aerospace
prime contractors’ quality management
system requirements to suppliers and their
subcontractors. Flowdown includes specifications
for parts or assembly designs, characteristics,
inspections, and other process functions
and product features.
The prime aerospace contractors consider
AS9100 a major step in the history of quality
management in the aerospace field. Government
agencies, such as the Defense Department
and the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), also support AS9100, though suppliers
still have to meet additional federal requirements.
The major difference is a drop in compliance
costs and time for suppliers, due to the
elimination of multiple audited governmental
standards. This industry-generated standard
also takes the place of programs the government
has dropped.
AS9100 is designed to reduce defects in
the supplier chain, continually improve
quality and boost customer satisfaction.
By becoming registered to AS9100 and ISO
9001, companies dealing with aerospace prime
contractors and the government enjoy a competitive
advantage. The regulatory burden is lightened,
so suppliers can spend more time improving
the manufacturing process in an industry
that puts a top priority on safety and quality.
From:
http://www.iqrcorp.com/AS9100.htm
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