AS 9100 Series - Aerospace Quality Management Systems

What are the Aerospace Quality Management Systems?

The AS 9100 Series are a set of internationally recognised Quality Management System (QMS) standards for the aviation, space, and defence (ASD) industries. Developed by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), AS 9100 Series builds on the foundation of ISO 9001, adding specific requirements for product safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance that are essential to aerospace operations.

The AS 9100 Series includes several standards, including:

• AS 9100 – for organisations that design, manufacture, or service aviation, space and defence products. These organisations are typically the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and their suppliers.
• AS 9110 – for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) organisations.
• AS 9120 – for stockists and distributors of aviation, space and defence materials and components.

Together, these standards provide a comprehensive quality framework for the entire aerospace supply chain. They define how organisations should manage product design, production, and service delivery while maintaining traceability, risk control, and continual improvement. Implementing an Aerospace Quality Management System ensures that every process, from design to delivery, meets the strict safety, reliability, and performance standards expected within the global aerospace sector.

At JLB Management Consultancy, we specialise in tailoring and implementing quality management systems, aligned with the requirements of the AS 9100-series standards, to help aviation, space, and defence organisations enhance their quality, streamline operations, and achieve compliance with international expectations.

What are the Benefits of the Aerospace Quality Management Systems?

Implementing a Quality Management System conforming to the AS 9100 Standards is considered fundamental in the aviation, space, and defence industries, and demonstrates your organisation’s commitment to safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction - values that are critical in aerospace and defence.

Implementing an Aerospace Quality Management System not only strengthens compliance but also enhances the overall capability and reputation of your organisation.

Why Certify Your QMS to the AS 9100 Standards?

Certification to the AS 9100 Series demonstrates that your organisation’s Quality Management System meets the highest international standards for aviation, space and defence manufacturing, maintenance, or distribution. It provides independent verification that your systems and processes consistently produce safe, reliable, and conforming products and services. In a sector where precision and reliability are critical, certification assures clients, regulators, and partners that your organisation can be trusted to deliver consistently and with integrity.

Beyond compliance, certification to the AS 9100 standards deliver significant strategic advantages. It serves as an internationally recognised mark of credibility and capability, often required by major aerospace contractors and government agencies. Achieving certification positions your organisation as a preferred supplier within the global aerospace supply chain, opening doors to new commercial opportunities and long-term partnerships.

For organisations already operating under ISO 9001, transitioning to the AS 9100 standards is a natural progression, and builds upon the proven framework of ISO 9001. This alignment enables your existing systems to integrate seamlessly, enhancing efficiency while meeting the more stringent requirements of the aerospace industry.

Ultimately, certification reflects your organisation’s commitment to excellence. It signals to stakeholders that quality, safety, and customer satisfaction are at the heart of your operations. While JLB does not conduct certification audits, our experienced consultants work closely with accredited certification bodies to ensure your organisation is fully prepared and audit ready. We design and implement AS 9100-series aligned management systems that not only achieve certification but also deliver lasting value through improved performance, stronger governance, and enhanced customer confidence.

How the AS 9100-series Standards build upon ISO 9001

The AS 9100 Series builds upon ISO 9001 as the foundation for quality management, adding around 150 additional requirements that reflect the higher standards required for safety-critical industries. These higher standards reflect the need for extreme precision, reliability, and risk management in these industries, and include:

• Risk Management: The AS 9100 Series requires a formalised, comprehensive approach to risk management throughout design, development, and manufacturing to prevent and mitigate risks critical to safety and reliability.
• Product Safety: There are explicit requirements for product safety assessment and mitigation throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring products perform safely without causing unacceptable harm.
• Counterfeit Parts Prevention: The AS 9100 Series mandates stringent processes to prevent counterfeit or suspect parts entering the supply chain, including training, traceability, verification, and reporting measures.
• Configuration Management: The standards require rigorous control and documentation of product and service configurations throughout their lifecycle.
• Project Management: Enhanced requirements ensure projects are planned, managed, and realised with control and accountability, suited to complex aerospace projects.
• Special Requirements and Critical Items: Identification and management of critical items, key characteristics, and special requirements are enforced to meet regulatory and safety demands.
• Supply Chain Management: Robust supplier assessment, monitoring, and control ensure compliance with aerospace-specific quality and safety standards.
• Equipment Quality Control: Detailed protocols for equipment storage, inspection, and maintenance, including automated machinery and software systems used in production.
• Human Factors and Organisational Awareness: Increased focus on human factors to reduce error risks, plus awareness of ethical behaviour and quality contribution by individuals.
• Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Control: Specific measures to prevent contamination or debris that could impair aerospace product safety.

Collectively, these additional requirements ensure aerospace organisations have quality management systems that are considerably more stringent, comprehensive, and adapted to the critical safety and reliability obligations of the industry, going well beyond the generalist ISO 9001 framework.

Evolution of the AS 9100 Standard

The AS 9100 standard has evolved through several versions since its initial publication to address the changing needs of the aerospace, space, and defence industries. Milestones include:

This progression demonstrates continuous enhancements aimed at reinforcing quality management and safety-critical controls within aerospace industries, following the latest ISO 9001 updates while incorporating industry-specific standards.

How We Can Help with Your QMS & AS 9100, AS 9110 & AS 9120

With the demanding requirements of the aerospace, space and defence sectors, the implementation of a robust Quality Management System (QMS) to the AS 9100-series standard is far more than a checkbox - it’s a strategic opportunity to strengthen your operations, elevate safety and reliability, and position your business for success in global supply chains. At JLB, we bring our extensive experience in ISO-based management systems and industry-specific consultancy to guide your organisation through every stage of this journey.

From the initial gap analysis where we assess your current quality framework against AS 9100 requirements, through to system documentation, deployment, and certification readiness, our consultants work closely with your team to tailor a solution that fits your unique structure, culture and objectives. We understand that aerospace organisations have very specialised and important demands - including configuration management, supply-chain traceability, risk mitigation and regulatory compliance - so our approach ensures these elements are embedded into your QMS from the start.

Generally, Australian security clearances are not a direct requirement specifically for developing an AS 9100 quality management system. However, if your AS 9100 development work involves handling classified information, defence contracts, or sensitive aerospace projects under government jurisdiction, then Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) clearances may be required.

We help you build a system that is practical, efficient and designed to be usable on the frontline. Rather than generic templates, we tailor policies and procedures to your specific terminology, workflows, and operational realities. We support training of your workforce, conduct internal audit preparation, and coach your leadership through management review cycles - all to ensure your QMS is not only compliant, but truly effective.

What to Expect When You Work with JLB

When you partner with JLB, you’ll be guided by experienced aerospace and quality management system consultants who take the time to genuinely understand your organisation’s current situation, goals, and unique context. From the beginning, there’s a clear, practical approach: we evaluate where you are in your QMS journey, outline how the AS 9100 Series applies to your operations, and develop a customised roadmap that reflects your structure, culture, and priorities. We don’t provide generic templates.

When you are ready for certification, JLB works with you to ensure a smooth transition. Our job doesn’t end once certification is achieved - we remain a resource for you, helping maintain audit readiness, supporting system enhancements, and ensuring your management system remains resilient, relevant and capable of supporting your business as it grows and evolves.

JLB is recognised as an early adopter of AS 9100 Standards in Australia, with a significant global footprint and a history of providing AS 9100 Series-related services to numerous aerospace companies. As part of our dedication to aerospace and defence quality management, we collaborate with reputable third-party certification organisations to ensure the rigorous AS 9100 requirements are met.

The AS 9100-series Quality Management System Process

Implementing and maintaining an environmental management system with JLB follows a step-by-step process starting with education around the standard and giving your team the tools, they need to succeed. Our consultants will then assist with the implementation process taking you all the way through to third-party certification of your ISO 14001 environmental management system!

AS 9100 Standards Quality Management System Documentation

A key component of your quality management system is documentation. Working with you, we will prepare all the necessary documentation required to support your Quality Management System standards for the aviation, space, and defence industries, and any ongoing compliance and reporting requirements. This will include policy statements, management manuals, work instructions, procedures and standard forms.

Why Choose JLB to Develop your Aerospace Quality Management Systems?
 

With decades of experience across ISO management systems development, JLB has supported hundreds of organisations in achieving compliance with international standards. Our expertise in ISO 9001 forms a strong foundation for developing advanced aerospace systems that meet the demanding requirements of the AS 9100-series.

If you're ready to learn more about the AS 9110 Standards, Aerospace quality management systems and how AS 9100, AS 9110 & AS 9120 certification can benefit your business, please contact the JLB Team.