International Aerospace Quality Group

The International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) is an industry association formed by major aviation, space, and defense companies and their trade associations to improve quality and reliability across the global aerospace supply chain. It focuses on harmonized quality management system (QMS) standards, guidance, and supporting materials used by organizations that design, produce, and support aerospace products and services.

Role in aerospace quality management

IAQG is widely known as the originating body behind the AS/EN/JISQ 9100-series standards, which extend ISO 9001 with aviation, space, and defense sector requirements. The group develops, maintains, and periodically revises:

• AS9100-series QMS standards for aerospace organizations
• Related quality standards for distributors, maintenance organizations, and other aerospace activities
• Supporting guidance, deployment materials, and common documentation

Its work is organized through regional sectors (for example, Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific) that coordinate on global standards while aligning with regional regulatory and industry practices.

Relevance to manufacturing and regulated operations

In industrial and manufacturing environments, IAQG standards are commonly used to define:

• Requirements for quality management systems in aerospace production and assembly
• Expectations for documentation, configuration management, and change control
• Practices for supplier quality, risk management, and traceability across the aerospace supply chain

Organizations that supply aerospace OEMs often structure their operational procedures, document control, and shop-floor quality processes to align with IAQG-developed standards and guidance.

Common confusion

IAQG is sometimes confused with the standards it develops, such as AS9100. IAQG is the industry group that coordinates and publishes the standards, while AS9100 and related documents are the quality management system requirements themselves. IAQG does not act as a certification body or regulator, and it does not issue approvals or certifications.

Connection to AS9100 and ISO 9001

AS9100 is an aerospace QMS standard developed under the IAQG framework. It builds on ISO 9001 by adding aviation, space, and defense-specific requirements. IAQG maintains the 9100-series so that aerospace organizations can use a common, sector-specific layer on top of general ISO 9001 quality principles.