Attaining an AS9100 certification is only the beginning for a company to establish itself as a trusted vendor in the aerospace sector. That hard-earned certification must be maintained over the years. Ergoseal completed its most recent audit on November 9, 2023.
AS9100D, released in 1999 and revised in 2001, is the international ISO 9000 derivative specifically for suppliers to the aerospace industry. AS9100 takes the ISO 9001:2000 quality management systems standard covering every step and department of the manufacturing process and adds aerospace industry-specific requirements.
This designation also addresses the flowdown of aerospace prime contractors’ quality management system requirements to suppliers and their subcontractors. Flowdown includes specifications for parts (such as fluid seals) or assembly designs, characteristics, inspections, and other process functions and product features.
AS9100D is widely regarded by prime aerospace contractors as a pivotal development in the history of quality management within the aerospace sector. Government agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), endorse AS9100D, though suppliers must still meet additional federal requirements.
The significant advantage of this certification lies in the reduction of compliance costs and time for suppliers, as it eliminates the need for adherence to multiple audited governmental standards that AS9100D consolidates. This industry-established standard also fills the void left by discontinued government programs.
Highly regulated aerospace industry vendors undergo various audits to verify their quality and efficiency. Audits are essential to ensure compliance with industry standards, third-party regulations, and internal operations.
An AS9100D audit is a comprehensive assessment conducted to evaluate an organization's compliance with the standard and aims to ensure that the organization's quality management system is effectively implemented and consistently meets the requirements outlined in AS9100. It’s an inspection to see if a manufacturer not only uses an acceptable quality management system but also that their everyday work adheres to those plans.
The audit team reviews documentation related to the organization's quality management system and conducts on-site inspections to verify that the documented processes are being followed in practice.
The process concludes with the audit team providing feedback to the organization's management. Findings, including any non-conformities, observations, and positive aspects, are discussed and outlined in a detailed report. The report may also include recommendations for improvement or corrective actions.
After initial certification, a full system audit must be completed within 3 years (again based upon risk and performance — some organizations may need to audit more frequently). Surveillance audits take place more frequently. Most companies audit their full system annually.
In aerospace, the AS9100 audit is recommended to demonstrate legal compliance and enhance pilot and passenger safety. These audits help identify and prevent potential defects, ensuring the production of high-quality, competitively priced products with consistent standards. Companies may conduct these audits in-house or outsource them based on their size and requirements.
Here's why ongoing audits to measure compliance over time matter:
Ergoseal’s initial certification and subsequent audits are part of an ongoing journey toward excellence. AS9100D certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to our clients, aerospace and otherwise, and we will continue to work toward enhancing our processes, products, and services through training, assessment, improvement, and education.
If you're looking for a fluid sealing provider that goes above and beyond, choose one with an AS9100 certification. It’s a mark of quality and reliability you can count on.
For more information on Ergoseal and their OEM and custom sealing solutions, visit www.ergoseal.com or contact us today.