For aerospace manufacturers, contractors and suppliers, a general quality certificate is often not enough to win business with the world’s major aerospace buyers. AS9100 certification is the standard that opens that door, giving your organization the credentials needed to be considered a qualified supplier in a sector where quality, safety and traceability are non-negotiable.
What AS9100 Actually Is?
AS9100 is a quality management standard built on the requirements of ISO 9001, with additional criteria specific to the aerospace industry layered on top. A few points worth clarifying:
- The standard is called AS9100, not “ISO 9100”, a common misconception since the standard is developed by the SAE, not the ISO
- The current version is AS9100D, which revised the previous AS9100C issue
- It applies to organizations involved in the design, manufacture and distribution of aerospace components, including manufacturers, contractors and suppliers
- New requirements under AS9100D place particular emphasis on preventing risk and counterfeit parts, and on planning for product obsolescence
Because AS9100 is built on ISO 9001, organizations that already operate a mature ISO 9001 system have a head start when moving toward aerospace certification.
AS9100 vs AS9110 vs AS9120
Not every aerospace supplier needs the same certificate. The AQMS (Aerospace Quality Management System) series covers different roles in the supply chain:
- AS9100 – design, manufacturing and distribution of aerospace components
- AS9110 – maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organizations, reflecting the fact that aircraft components can remain in service for fifty years or more and require proper ongoing support
- AS9120 – stockiest distributors within the aerospace supply chain
Choosing the certificate that matches your organization’s actual role is the first step before starting the certification process.
The OASIS Database Requirement
Holding an accredited certificate to AS9100, AS9110 or AS9120 comes with a further requirement: registration in the Online Aerospace Supplier Information System (OASIS), maintained by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). This is not an optional add-on. Aerospace customers, primes and procurement teams use OASIS to verify a supplier’s certification status before sourcing, which makes the database an important part of how your organization gets discovered by qualified buyers.
The Certification Process
Getting certified typically follows a structured path:
- Gap assessment – identifying what additional processes, documentation and controls are needed beyond an existing ISO 9001 system
- Implementation – building out aerospace-specific requirements, including risk management and counterfeit parts prevention
- Certification audit – carried out by an accredited certification body
- Ongoing surveillance – the initial certificate is valid for three years, provided surveillance audits scheduled during that period are satisfactory
Maintaining OASIS registration throughout the certification cycle is essential. If certification lapses, the OASIS record is updated to reflect that status, which can affect a supplier’s standing with existing and prospective aerospace customers.
Why the UAE Aerospace Sector Is Growing
The aerospace and aviation sector in the Middle East and the UAE is expanding, driven in part by the country’s economic position and strategic location. As the sector grows, so does the demand from local manufacturers and suppliers to hold recognized aerospace certifications that allow them to compete for contracts with international aerospace buyers.
Choosing the Right Certification Body
AS9100 certification should only be issued by a certification body accredited by a recognized national accreditation body. This matters because an unaccredited certificate carries far less weight with aerospace buyers who rely on accreditation status, alongside OASIS listing, to judge whether a supplier’s credentials are genuine.
Get AS9100 Certified with URS Middle East
URS Middle East is accredited by UKAS in the UK for major management system certifications and also holds EIAC accreditation to serve clients across the Middle East region. With a local presence in more than 55 countries and over 55,000 clients certified worldwide, URS Middle East supports aerospace manufacturers and suppliers through the full AS9100 and AS9120 certification journey, including registration in the OASIS database.
If your organization is working toward AS9100 or AS9120 certification, get in touch with URS Middle East to discuss what your business needs.