With the transition deadline of September 15, 2018 fast approaching, it’s crucial for aerospace supply companies to understand, plan, and implement all necessary internal changes to meet Revision D of the AS9100 standard.

Summary of Revision D Changes

In addition to aligning the structure of the aviation, space and defense requirements to the new structure of ISO 9001:2015, the following key changes were implemented:

1. Product Safety was added in a new clause and in other areas
2. Counterfeit Parts Prevention was added in a new clause and in other areas (this was already in place in the AS9110 and AS9120 standards)
3. Risk clause was merged with the new ISO 9001 risk requirements along with an increased emphasis on risks in operational processes
4. Awareness clause was added with reinforced requirements for awareness of individual contribution to product and service quality and safety along with ethical behavior
5. Human Factors are included as a consideration in nonconformity management and corrective action
6. Configuration Management was clarified and improved to address stakeholder needs

Next Steps

Registrants to AS9100 Revision D fall into two general categories:

• Companies already certified to Revision C, and
• Companies registering to the standard for the first time

In either case, your next step is to read the Revision D standard and assess what internal procedures may need to change to meet its criteria. Gap assessments, internal audits, corrective actions, and the scheduling of third-party registrar audits can take several months (and that’s assuming nothing falls through the cracks, requiring a second round of corrective actions at the end). The deadline is September 15, 2018. All Revision C certifications will automatically expire on September 14, 2018.

Once you’re informed and have a comfortable understanding of the changes (with some general idea of what internal changes may be needed), it’s time to meet with internal stakeholders and decide whether your company can handle the transition project internally or if outsourcing to a qualified, aerospace consultant makes more sense. In either case, ongoing, effective communication will be critical to the success of your transition.

About ETA Global

ETA Global is a trusted aerospace and aviation hardware supplier. Consistently delivering value is our priority. We source what you need according to specifications, and we deliver it with the packaging that fits your needs. Our custom kitting service supports a simplified, efficient approach to supply chain and management, replacing many parts you manage with one simple kit. Additionally, through our network of trusted partners, we can also accommodate special services like after-market plating, delivering even more value through our kitting service.

Contact us at: 800-950-6939 or [email protected] for more information.