AS9100
Definition
AS9100 is the quality management system standard for the aerospace, aviation, space, and defense industries. It is built on ISO 9001 and adds aerospace-specific requirements around safety, reliability, risk management, configuration control, and counterfeit-part prevention. It applies to manufacturers and other organizations that add value to a product.
Why it matters
Aerospace and defense hold suppliers to a documented, auditable quality standard because the consequences of failure are severe. AS9100 is that standard for the make side of the supply chain, just as AS9120 is for distribution and AS6081 is for counterfeit avoidance in the secondary market. When sourcing for these industries, certification is a core supplier-qualification criterion.
Related terms
- AS9120: the equivalent standard for aerospace distributors.
- MIL-SPEC (MIL-STD): the military specifications that often accompany aerospace and defense parts.
When sourcing aerospace and defense components, 3E Technology helps you find and contact suppliers directly to confirm certifications. See the aerospace and defense use case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AS9100?+
AS9100 is the quality management system standard for the aerospace, aviation, space, and defense industries. It is built on ISO 9001 with added aerospace-specific requirements for safety, reliability, risk management, and counterfeit-part prevention. It applies to manufacturers and other organizations that add value to a product.
What is the difference between AS9100 and AS9120?+
AS9100 applies to organizations that make or add value to a product, primarily manufacturers. AS9120 applies to distributors and stockists that buy, store, split, and resell parts without altering them. Both come from the same aerospace quality family; the difference is the role each certifies.
Related Resources
AS9120
AS9120 is the quality management standard for distributors of aerospace parts, adding traceability and counterfeit controls to ISO 9001. Here's what it covers.
AS6081
AS6081 is an SAE standard for avoiding counterfeit parts when buying from independent distributors. Here's what it requires and when it applies.
MIL-SPEC (MIL-STD)
MIL-SPEC and MIL-STD are US military specifications and standards defining performance and testing for defense parts. Here's what they mean for sourcing.
Counterfeit Electronic Component
A counterfeit electronic component is a part misrepresented as to its origin or authenticity. Here's how counterfeits enter the supply chain and how to avoid them.
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