Difference between ISO 9001 & AS 9100 Certification

AS 9100 and ISO 9001 are both quality management system standards, but they cater to different industries and have different focuses. Here are the key differences between the two:

1. Industry Focus

ISO 9001

• ISO 9001 is a general quality management standard applicable to any organization, regardless of its type or size, or the products or services it provides.
• It provides a framework for consistent quality management practices and continuous improvement.

AS 9100

• AS 9100 is specifically tailored for the aerospace industry.
• It incorporates all the requirements of ISO 9001, with additional aerospace-specific requirements.

2. Additional Requirements in AS 9100

AS 9100 includes all of the ISO 9001 requirements but adds additional requirements that are specific to the aerospace industry. Some of these additional requirements include:

• Product Safety: Emphasis on ensuring the safety of aerospace products throughout their lifecycle.
• Risk Management: More stringent requirements for risk management, including risk assessment and mitigation.
• Configuration Management: Detailed requirements for controlling and documenting changes to products and processes.
• Supplier Management: Additional requirements for managing and monitoring suppliers, considering the critical nature of aerospace components.
• On-Time Delivery: Focus on ensuring products are delivered on time, a critical aspect in the aerospace industry.
• Preventive Actions: Greater emphasis on identifying and preventing potential issues before they occur.

3, Documentation and Records

AS 9100 requires more extensive documentation and record-keeping compared to ISO 9001 to ensure traceability and accountability in the aerospace industry.

4. Audits and Certifications

• Organizations in the aerospace industry often seek AS 9100 certification to demonstrate their commitment to quality and safety.
• While ISO 9001 certification is common across many industries, AS 9100 certification is a key requirement for suppliers and manufacturers in the aerospace sector.

5. Regulatory and Customer Requirements

AS 9100 is aligned with regulatory and customer requirements specific to the aerospace industry, which may not be covered by ISO 9001.

Summary

• ISO 9001: A general quality management standard for all industries.
• AS 9100: A quality management standard for the aerospace industry, incorporating ISO 9001 requirements plus additional aerospace-specific requirements.
• In essence, AS 9100 can be seen as an enhanced version of ISO 9001, tailored to meet the stringent demands of the aerospace sector.

PQSmitra has been offering consultation, documentation & support services for the past 25 years. It has successfully completed over 4500 projects across India & Overseas. Implementation of AS 9100 & ISO 9001 is done with simple and practical approach to ensure better effectiveness at the client organization. PQSmitra has offered these services to many client and the feedback from all the clients is inspiring.