AS 9100

AS 9100 is a widely used quality management system (QMS) standard for organizations that design, develop, or produce products and services for the aviation, space, and defense sectors. It is based on ISO 9001 and adds aerospace-specific requirements related to safety, reliability, risk management, configuration control, and product traceability.

What AS 9100 includes

AS 9100 typically covers:

• A documented quality management system aligned with ISO 9001 requirements
• Controls for design and development of aerospace products and services
• Process control for production and service provision, including special processes
• Configuration management and change control for complex products and systems
• Risk management and product safety considerations throughout the lifecycle
• Requirements for supplier evaluation, control, and flowdown of requirements
• Identification, traceability, and records retention for components and materials
• Nonconforming product control, corrective action, and continual improvement

In industrial operations, AS 9100 requirements often influence how MES, ERP, document control, and quality systems are configured. For example, traceability, revision control, and evidence of process verification may be implemented through integrated OT/IT workflows.

How AS 9100 is used in manufacturing

In regulated aerospace manufacturing environments, AS 9100 commonly serves as the reference framework for:

• Defining and maintaining documented processes for production and inspection
• Aligning quality plans, work instructions, and routing data across MES and ERP
• Capturing and retaining production records and inspection data as quality evidence
• Managing engineering changes, deviations, and concessions in a controlled way
• Coordinating supplier quality requirements and incoming inspection processes

Many aerospace manufacturers use AS 9100 as part of a broader stack of standards (such as core ISO standards and sector-specific guidelines) to structure quality, risk, and documentation practices.

Common confusion

• AS 9100 vs ISO 9001: ISO 9001 is a generic QMS standard for any industry. AS 9100 incorporates ISO 9001 and adds aerospace-specific requirements. It is not a separate or unrelated standard.
• AS 9100 vs AS 9110 / AS 9120: AS 9100 generally applies to organizations involved in design and production. AS 9110 focuses on maintenance and repair organizations, and AS 9120 focuses on distributors. All are related aerospace sector QMS standards.

Relation to ISO standards for manufacturing

AS 9100 is not an ISO standard itself but is built on the ISO 9001 framework. In aerospace manufacturing, it is often implemented alongside other ISO and sector standards that address topics such as measurement management, documentation control, and risk management. Selection and scope depend on the organization's role in the aerospace supply chain and product risk profile.