subject: The Aerospace Industry And As912 [print this page] When it comes to the aerospace industry, AS9120 is the only set of standards that every aerospace business and partners are required to conform with. AS9120 actually stems from its original format, the AS9100. With a few additional revisions and requirements regarding Quality Management System, the new and improved version was finally introduced.
The AS9120 requirements are only applicable for companies that distribute or supply aircraft components including gaskets, fasteners, electronics and other materials related to the aviation, aerospace and defense industry. The requirements are needed to ensure the safety and the excellent quality of materials being delivered. It is not seen as a restriction but as a guide that everyone should follow.
The policies or requirements are never perfected. There are new amendments and revisions that are continuously being thought about in order to improve the industry. Some of the issues that still need to be further improved are control, traceability, record availability and chain of custody. If your business deals with supplying materials for an aerospace company or if you want to get involved in the future, better comply with the standards.
Even for companies that do not really manufacture aerospace materials but only distributes it, they still need to comply with AS9120. Even the task of getting the supplies, splitting it into manageable quantities and delivering it to an aerospace company will have to pass the standards. It is important to obtain AS9120 certification for this as well to be able to attract big companies.
There are some companies that do not need AS9120. Mostly its businesses that just do innovations, repairs or rework on the existing products. Those companies whose task could influence the product performance, on the other hand, are included in the scope of the set standards. If you would like to make sure your stand on the AS9120, it is best to contact a consultancy firm for added information.
Familiarizing some of the terms involved in AS9120 is a great start. You should know acronyms such as IDEA, which stands for Independent Distributors of Electronic Association and ASA or the Aviation Suppliers Association. Another group you should know is the IAQG. It is the international group that regulates the AS9120.
